Interview with Applica's MD: Matt Hallé
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18 Jul 2022
Your thoughts on the current market
There is currently a resurgence in Oil and Gas with companies more likely to invest in this area. However due to the cost of raw materials and labour it’s not that straight forward to get projects moving. This sector is also working hard to build energy transition, with many trying to decarbonise their operations and value chains.
Chemicals remains solid and consistent and has not had a significant shift. It’s a busy market in decarbonisation and projects have been built with energy transition technologies. The ROI here however is hard to prove.
Renewables and Energy Transition continues to move at a pace. The demand here is extremely high. The grid however is still struggling with the balance between providing power in its current form versus attracting (huge) budgets to transition the production of power via thousands of miles of upgraded or new transmissions, the cost of which would be astronomical.
The energy mix going forward is a real question mark, the dialogue is now more about shorter term fixes.
What do you believe the future holds for energy recruitment?
There is and will be labour shortages across all sectors. There will be an increase in projects and an increase in demand for skilled project professionals who are able to move seamlessly between oil and gas and renewables. Key candidates will draw on their technical and project skills to move fluidly between the two.
How and why Applica is best placed to help clients achieve their goals?
Applica has intentionally placed its focus on resourcing projects and creating robust and solid relationships with both clients and candidates.
Our specialisation is projects, our holistic approach and focus on quality relationships has meant that we are able to contact the hardest to reach passive candidates. This is really where Applica thrives due to our strong networks and connections.
What do you enjoy the most about managing a global company?
Definitely the people. I really enjoy getting feedback from clients and contractors when we have really gone the extra mile and looked after them. I enjoy the travel and diversity of people I meet and of course I love my team, they make it all possible.
What’s the best part about your role?
It has to be ensuring that the business is structured in such a way that allows the team to successfully deliver for our clients ensuring that they get the best possible outcome for their project.
I also really enjoy knowledge sharing, such as consulting with clients on how to set up their teams and undertaking full bench marking studies.
We have become trusted partners really adding value to what a client does. This is exactly the space where Applica wants to be; adding value.
Applica does a lot of work in support of the community and the environment; has giving back always been central to Applica and its values?
It’s important to me that things are done right. In its early years I concentrated on building a strong foundation on which Applica, its team, clients and candidates could grow. Now that we have a solid base I can confidently and sustainably give back.
We were delighted to smash our target for the Wood Street mission when the UK team climbed Snowdonia last month.
Finally, tell me something that not many people know about you
I’m lucky to have visited just over 25% of the world’s countries and luckily through Applica this figure is only getting bigger!