We are pleased to announce that Giuseppe Cozzo in Mercuri Urval (MU) Italy has been appointed as Group Director. Based in our Milan office, Giuseppe focuses on the Industrial Products, Packaging, Life Science, and Food Production sectors. He is passionate about leadership topics and, outside of work, enjoys traveling, swimming, cooking Italian cuisine, and reading.
As a highly valued colleague, Giuseppe demonstrates outstanding commitment and support across a variety of activities and initiatives. His loyalty to MU and his respectful demeanour towards colleagues, candidates, and clients alike make collaboration with him both effective and enjoyable. Known for his natural curiosity and openness to feedback, he leads by example through his strong work ethic, humility, and dedication—qualities that are essential cultural pillars within our organisation.
We congratulate Giuseppe on his well-deserved nomination for the Partner Track. It is our sincere hope that he soon becomes a Partner and continues to be an integral part of MU for many years to come. Notably, it would be a significant milestone to see him become the first MU Partner originating from Sicily, a testament to his personal journey and the strength of our diverse international team.
Now, let us introduce Giuseppe.
This achievement holds great personal significance for me, as it reinforces the belief that hard work, dedication, and attentive care towards clients, candidates, and colleagues within our organisation truly pay off. It marks the beginning of an exciting journey toward Partnership, built on years of effort and aimed at a bright future ahead.
I would like to thank Richard More, CEO, Andreas Frische, CRO, Vincenzo Di Pietro, Team Director, and the entire management team, as well as my colleagues in Italy and abroad, for believing in me. Working with all of you is a privilege!
I have chosen, and I choose every day, to work at MU because it is an organisation that has helped me realize my potential in my work and develop my identity as a professional and as a man.
I believe that today MU represents an exceptional environment for a professional who wants to operate as an executive search consultant and advisor for clients at both national and international levels, as it provides the context, structure, tools, and a proprietary methodology that distinguishes you in the market.
Being an independent entity destined to last over time allows consultants to work with a long-term perspective and to be credible in the messages they convey in the market and to their clients. I have learned that results are built on passion, commitment, and dedication, and require a big-picture vision, attention to detail, and time.
I have been working in our industry for over 17 years, and my identity goes beyond my profession, which involves helping companies select and attract the best leaders in the market for their specific needs, as well as enhancing and growing the skill sets present within their organisations, thereby impacting their results. However, my identity is broader than that: I am a man, a husband, an Italian, and in my daily work, I create value for organisations and individuals. This broader sense of what I do has developed over time, through experience, and thanks to a fertile context like that of MU.
At MU, I have sought to strengthen my international involvement, and the opportunity to sell projects abroad has often served as a catalyst for business acceleration. The most profitable and significant projects in terms of unit value have been those sold outside national borders.
From Italy, I have sold recruitment and selection projects in Spain, Germany, and France for managerial and executive positions, which has allowed me to operate without borders and engage with diverse cultures and exceptional colleagues from whom I have learned a great deal.
I also fondly remember several recruitment processes for Managing Directors that I have managed over the years for Italian companies that have joined international groups.
Selecting key figures in Italy who can lead the business, impact results, and serve as a bridge between different cultures is always both challenging and enjoyable for me.
Last year, I had the privilege of successfully completing the selection of a Managing Director for an Italian company that was acquired by a multinational group. The complexity of this project was primarily driven by the necessity to identify a candidate who could take full P&L responsibility and spearhead a turnaround in operational performance. However, the true intrinsic challenge lay in shifting the mindset of the employees within the acquired company, who had to adapt from an entrepreneurial environment led by a highly involved entrepreneur to a structured, procedural multinational context.
Together with my colleagues in Italy, without whom no result—big or small—would have been possible, we identified the right person for the role, leading to everyone's utmost satisfaction.
I recently had a lunch with the person I placed in the company as MD. He shared insights about the challenges he faced and conquered, the results he achieved, and how he managed to save many jobs in Italy. Such stories provide a broader sense of purpose to what I do and fulfil me both as a professional and as a human being.
Looking ahead, I have exciting projects in the pipeline, including the management of a selection process for a General Manager for Italy and a Country Manager for Spain, in collaboration with my colleagues in Germany and Spain.
As I continue this journey, I remain committed to creating impactful connections and driving positive change, knowing that each placement contributes not only to the success of the organisations but also to the lives of the individuals involved.
Are you curious about a global career at MU, where you can make a genuine impact on your clients, grow alongside exceptional colleagues, and work in a dynamic, supportive culture? Read more at our a career at MU page and reach out to Robin Karlestedt, Global Talent Aquisition, to learn more!