My working week..

May 9 2008

Kevin Fairbairn, Head of Odgers Select Practice in Scotland

Having completed a law degree at the University of Aberdeen Kevin Fairbairn looked well-placed for a legal career.

But a job working for a recruitment consultancy in his gap year saw him pursue a different path.

Now, 10 years later, the 30-year-old finds himself in the Glasgow office of executive search firm Odgers, Ray and Berndtson.

The firm was involved in the recruitment of Glasgow Airport managing director Gordon Dewar and Scottish Football Association chief Gordon Smith.

Fairbairn was headhunted from a rival consultancy last July to spearhead the growth of the Odgers Select division specialising in senior management appointments and he has never been busier.

His daily mix includes candidate interviews, hosting lunches, networking, report writing, pursuing business leads and liaising with existing clients which could mean travel throughout the UK.

He said: "I love the challenges and variety that my job brings.

"On any given day I might spend the morning interviewing candidates for a senior HR appointment before meeting a FMCG client in the afternoon and talking about what's happening in the global drinks industry and how to find a head of marketing.

"I also travel frequently and at least once a week I'm out meeting new or prospective clients in a social capacity as, with any business, it's important to foster good relationships and for clients to know that I'm available when they need me."

However, at the moment he is focused on trying to get the right people for his own organisation.

He added: "Finding the right calibre of individual to help grow the business is our biggest challenge."