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Hazel Lawrie

Principal

Hazel is a member of the Professional Services & Financial Officers Practice at Savannah. She has over 14 years' experience in executive search with a broad sector focus in oil and gas, manufacturing and maritime. Hazel also spent 2 years based out of Hong Kong specialising in financial services and technology executive search across China and South East Asia. She has an extensive track record of delivering on challenging projects in hardship locations and corporate HQs globally.

My story

Born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland, I graduated with a degree in History and secured a graduate position with an accountancy and finance recruitment firm in the North Sea oil and gas sector. After two years I moved into executive search with Park Brown. Over the course of my six years there, I handled many regional mandates in the Middle East, Caspian and Africa, as well as UK based C-suite, focusing within upstream oil and gas and manufacturing sectors. Early in my career I was exposed to some very interesting business conversations, all in a pre-Linkedin era which involved a lot of cold calling and patience!

Looking to see some of the world in 2014, I travelled across Asia; spending 4 months in Thailand and Myanmar before deciding to relocate to Hong Kong. Crazy, intense, fast paced; I had a very enjoyable two years within finance and technology recruitment, focusing in Greater China and South East Asia. The experience of living and working in Hong Kong and creating a life in a city, where on arrival I knew only two people, has been one I will never forget and has given me a huge appreciation of, and fascination with, other cultures and environments.

Returning to the UK in 2017 I joined a boutique energy and transportation firm and developed a track record of delivering on tough searches. Geographical locations included China and wider South East Asia, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Canada and many searches in Europe. I thrived on building networks in new locations and quickly understanding client needs. Throughout my career, I have developed an aptitude for placing many senior level finance professionals, so when given the opportunity to join the Savannah team with a focus on Financial Officers and Professional Services in 2019 I, jumped at the chance.

My focus

Working in the professional services and financial officers practice is suited to my broad sector background and I enjoy the global remit.  My focus is on the recruitment of CFOs and other Heads of corporate functions.

My motivation

Is to work on interesting, challenging assignments where I’m constantly learning. I enjoy building trust to create an enjoyable working relationship and finding the right solutions for our clients’ leadership needs.

Why I like working at Savannah

Savannah feels different to any search firm I’ve worked at before. We are set up to offer clients a flexible and friendly approach to business and it works!

Hazel Lawrie's 
Specialism & Experience
Financial OfficersExecutive Search

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