David McGowan

Executive Search Consultant, Industrial IT/OT and Cyber

About me

David is one of Collingwood’s newest members joining as an Executive Search Consultant and leading recruitment within the Industrial IT/OT and Cyber Security market.

Having been sold the dream of a job in recruitment by a friend, I have enjoyed 12 years working in exec search / recruitment, just joining Collingwood amidst the pandemic. I hold a degree in English and Sociology and have previously worked for a few years in the Home Office.

Outside of work

I have a number of hobbies and interests. I love being outdoors, I live on a small holding with my partner Sophie where we are kept busy with all the various animals that we look after – pigs, sheep, goats, horses, cats, and dogs! I also like to keep fit – but I am not very disciplined at that… I am a big Liverpool FC supporter and I love to get out to gigs or festivals like Creamfields when I can.

Places I enjoy visiting, and regularly go to is North Wales, particularly around the Llyn Peninsula. I have also been to Ibiza a couple of times and hope to get back there again soon.

What do you like most about your job?

I really enjoy speaking with candidates and learning something different every time I do about the field in which they work in. I get to be educated every day speaking to people, and it’s always really satisfying when you speak with someone who loves what they do and speaks passionately about it. Being able work with people to help them make the next step in their career and being able to make a positive difference to both the clients and the candidates is what I like most.

Fun Facts

Favourite Film: Trainspotting

Favourite Band: Either Elbow or Kings of Leon

Favourite Food: Pretty simple really, a decent steak!

"I had the pleasure to work with David, He loves his job and cares about the person he’s working with. I always felt I could trust him 100%, during the pre-selection process and also during and post selection. He’s able to give the right advice in the right way, even when things get complicated"

Global Head of Marketing , Candidate

Plastics and Industrial Automation

David has the ability to establish confidence relationship very fast, even at a distance. This is allowing him -when searching for the good candidate- to go beyond the written hard skills list, and scale up the discussion towards soft skills and people motivation

Candidate,

Global R&D Director – Lighting and Industrial Automation

David is a seasoned and senior global executive. He has very strong business, sales, marketing, management and leadership acumen. I have worked with David on key projects where he is always able to find the right person for the right role. I have high degree of confidence he can bring in the people, resources, and expe…

CMO,

Global Cloud Infrastructure Organisation

David has provided some top talent for our team while avoiding lower quality deal flow. David listens and asks the right questions to map our challenges and needs into specific deal flow that reflects what we are searching for. We continue to work with David!

COO,

Cyber Security Solution Provider

David's understanding of the security market and my requirements ensured I was able to very quickly and straightforwardly recruit some great individuals to my delivery team.

CEO,

Global Systems Integrator

David is a very professional yet friendly recruiter who helped me to earn my current job. David mentored me throughout the process and kept close communication with me and my employer. He always stands by his words, I definitely recommend him.

Successful Candidate,

Solutions Consultant - Global Industrial Automation Organisation