Cormis Partners

Spearheads the growth and strategic direction of Cormis Partners’ aviation & aerospace executive search practice. Cultivate and nurture high-level client relationships across the global industrial and aviation sectors, positioning the firm as the go-to advisor for senior leadership talent. Drive revenue growth by securing and expanding new business opportunities, developing tailored search strategies for C-suite and senior leadership roles.

Represent the firm at industry forums and events, consistently strengthening brand presence and reinforcing thought leadership. Publish articles and participate as a speaker at top industry conferences, establishing Cormis Partners as the recognized authority in executive search within aviation and aerospace.

Partner - Aviation & Transportation  |  Infrastructure  |  Energy

Drove the successful delivery of executive search mandates across the global industrial sectors. Partnered with C-suite and senior leadership to identify, assess, and secure top-tier talent for critical leadership roles. Executed end-to-end search processes, leading candidate identification, market mapping, and engagement strategies. Played a key role in delivering high-caliber shortlists within 4-5 weeks, ensuring data-driven decision-making and exceptional client satisfaction.

Principal Consultant

Partnered with C-suite and senior leadership to identify, assess, and secure top-tier talent for critical leadership roles. Executed end-to-end search processes, leading candidate identification, market mapping, and engagement strategies. Played a key role in delivering high-caliber shortlists within 4-5 weeks, ensuring data-driven decision-making and exceptional client satisfaction.

Senior Associate

The Centre for Aviation Psychology

The world has changed and so has aviation & aerospace. As operators have restructured this has inevitably led to wide-scale job insecurity - and sadly for many, job losses. With a toolbox of sector-specific skills and experiences, seeking employment beyond aviation is a daunting prospect for most and life-changing for many. Where does one start?

For those who are seeking friendly and personalised support, we can offer you a range of services. These can either be purchased on an individual basis or at a corporate level, as part of an outplacement package. 

We apply a flexible approach and work with the individual to ensure that they are able to compete in the market place with confidence. We provide grounded, informed and positive assistance which results in a more effective outcome for both the individual and the company. 

Results You Can Expect:

✓ Clarity on your career direction.
✓ Confidence in articulating your strengths.
✓ Certainty in knowing you have a resume that is authentically you.
✓ Control over your job search.
✓ Credibility at job interviews.

▶︎ Get in touch for a free initial consultation
✎ arpad@centreforaviationpsychology.com
☎ +44 (0) 7546 620 202

Career Transition Coach & Outplacement Consultant 

Laing O'Rourke

As a Senior Resourcing Advisor within Laing O'Rourke’s executive search and leadership assessment unit, I played a key role in strategically sourcing senior talent for critical functions, directly contributing to the company's global infrastructure projects.

• Led the successful recruitment of over 70+ senior executives across engineering, design, commercial, HSE, project controls, estimating, planning, finance, HR, and legal, with a 90% placement retention rate over two years.

• Spearheaded global talent searches for leadership roles on high-profile projects across sectors such as rail, road, defence, oil & gas, resources, and general infrastructure, filling 50+ roles critical to project delivery, with an average time-to-hire reduction of 30%.

• Established and maintained talent pools across 10+ key geographies and sectors, providing Laing O'Rourke with access to over 500 pre-qualified senior candidates, resulting in a 20% faster response time for urgent executive needs.

• Delivered 25+ executive searches and market intelligence reports annually for external clients in the UK and Australian construction and engineering sectors, supporting over £2 billion in infrastructure project value through strategic hires.

• Designed and delivered 10+ market intelligence products, including compensation benchmarking, competitor analysis, and market mapping, improving recruitment strategy alignment with industry trends and increasing offer acceptance rates by 15%.

These efforts provided critical insights and executive leadership talent that enabled Laing O'Rourke to deliver on major global projects and maintain competitive advantage in a highly complex and evolving sector.

Senior Resourcing Advisor  | Executive Search & Leadership Advisory 

Spencer Stuart

My core focus was advising clients on talent acquisition and leadership development within the Finance function, delivering high-impact appointments across industries, with a particular focus on Industrial, Financial Services, and Life Sciences sectors.

• Delivered finance leadership hires for FTSE 100, Fortune 500, and PE-backed firms, including Group CFO appointments, as well as direct report roles in divisional and regional Finance Director positions, Commercial & Corporate Finance, Financial Control & Accounting, FP&A, Tax, Treasury, and Internal Audit.

• Provided strategic talent advisory services across various ownership structures, including large corporates, small-cap public companies, PE portfolio firms, family-owned businesses, and not-for-profits

• Identified and sourced finance leaders for global organizations operating across 5+ countries, enabling clients to fill critical leadership gaps and strengthen their finance function for long-term growth.

• Advised clients on leadership development and succession planning, helping finance executives transition into expanded roles, driving organizational continuity and performance improvements.

Associate | Financial Officers Practice EMEA

Cripps Sears & Partners

Cripps Sears & Partners, established in 1973, is a leading international executive search firm specializing in the Energy & Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Professional Services sectors.

As an Associate, I played a pivotal role in delivering high-impact executive and board searches across the energy transition, oil & gas, renewables, utilities, and mining sectors globally.

• Led or supported over 40 executive and board-level searches annually, with a 95% success rate in placing candidates who exceeded performance expectations within their first 12 months.

• Spearheaded global talent searches across 25+ countries, securing leadership for multinational corporations, private equity-backed firms, and SMEs, resulting in a 20% reduction in time-to-hire and a 90% offer acceptance rate.

• Delivered key hires for $100M+ energy transition projects, including senior executives in renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainability roles, helping clients drive innovation in energy transition initiatives.

• Developed and implemented data-driven search strategies that identified high-caliber candidates across critical functions, enhancing the firm’s talent pool by 30% year-over-year.

• Built and managed long-term client relationships, contributing to 85% of clients returning for additional searches within 18 months, reinforcing trust and satisfaction through exceptional outcomes.

• Delivered detailed market intelligence and competitor analyses, providing clients with insights that informed hiring decisions for critical projects, including multi-billion-dollar infrastructure developments and renewable energy initiatives.

Associate | Global Industrial Markets

G2 Legal Limited

G2 Legal is a specilaist legal recruitment firm that places lawyers at all levels into Private Practice, In-House and Public Sector entities. I worked within the company's London Commercial Team. 

• End-to-end recruitment of qualified solicitors across all practice areas into permanent positions. 
• Worked with associate-level candidates and liaised with clients to understand their requirements
• Clients ranged from leading U.S. and international firms through to niche & boutique practices
• Met KPI's such as time to fill, days to offer, candidate satisfaction and interview-to-hire

Trainee Consultant | Transport & Infrastructure

Bird & Bird

At Bird & Bird's International Aviation Group I worked on various EU regulatory matters including passenger rights. In particular, I handled large number of claims under EU Regulation 261/2004 in connection with denied boarding, cancellations and flight delays and the Montreal Convention against multiple airline clients. The role required me to utilize my strong connections within governmental, regulatory and aviation trade bodies.

EU Regulatory Specialist | Aviation Group 

Stewarts

Stewarts is the UK's largest litigation-only law firm and specialises in high value and complex disputes. I was part of the firm's Aviation & Travel Department which acts for claimants around the world and have successfully recovered record compensation in complex international aviation claims. I was involved in a wide range of accidents in a significant number of jurisdictions including Ethiopian Airlines ET409, Sudan Airways Flight 109, Kenya Airways Flight KQ-507 as well as Air France Flight AF447. The cases I worked on have ranged from airliners, light aircraft, private jet and helicopter accidents.

Paralegal/Legal Analyst | Aviation & Travel Group

▶︎My Profile 

With a solid foundation in aviation law and extensive experience in executive search, I specialize in connecting top-tier talent with industry-leading organizations, driving success through strategic leadership placements.

✈️ Elevating Aviation & Aerospace Excellence
My career has been dedicated to understanding the unique needs of this industry and delivering exceptional talent solutions that align with organizational goals. I’ve successfully worked with multinational corporations, and private equity-backed firms to place leaders who drive growth and transformation.

🌍 Global Reach
My global perspective is complemented by hands-on experience in delivering executive and board-level assignments across the aviation and aerospace landscape. From the UK to Continental Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia, I bring a deep understanding of the industry's nuances and regional dynamics. 

🚀 What Sets Me Apart:
• Specialized Sector Knowledge: With a background in aviation law and sector expertise in engineering, logistics, and infrastructure, I provide a unique perspective that is highly relevant to the aviation and aerospace industries.

• Strategic Talent Mapping & Pipelining: I excel in identifying and cultivating talent that aligns with your strategic objectives, ensuring that you have the right leaders in place for future success.

• Succession Planning Expertise: My approach to succession planning is designed to prepare your organization for the future, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity in leadership.

• Multilingual Advantage: I offer a global reach and the ability to engage with diverse talent pools across multiple regions.

🌟 How I Can Help
• Executive Search & Recruitment: I specialize in placing high-caliber executives in key roles within the aviation and aerospace sectors, ensuring a perfect fit for your organization’s culture and strategic vision.

• Leadership Assessment: I help organizations identify and develop leaders who are equipped to drive innovation and growth.

• Career Transition Coaching: I support executives in their career transitions, providing tailored guidance to ensure they quickly adapt and excel in new roles.

🎤 Thought Leadership & Engagement
As an active contributor to industry discussions, I regularly speak at executive education programs and publish on topics such as diversity and inclusion in aviation and aerospace. 

Reach out via:

📧 arpad.szakal@cormispartners.com
📞 Direct: +44 (0) 20 3800 1751
📱 Mobile: +44 (0) 7546 620 202
🏢 Office: +44 (0) 20 3800 1750

OK, I'll let you in on a little secret. 


The biggest risk in any executive job move isn't the compensation. 

It’s not the title.

It’s not even the scope.

It’s the team you’re walking into. 

The politics.

The support you’ll get when the heat’s on.

And the battles no one warns you about.

And yet.

Too many seasoned candidates ask questions like:

“What’s the 90-day plan?”

“What’s the company vision?”

“What’s the culture like?”

Nice. 

Polite. 

Useless.

If you want the real story behind the role 

Ask better questions.

Here are 15 questions for C-suite and top-flight talent to work with:

1. “What’s the real reason this role is open now?”

Reveals: political landmines, failed predecessors, or strategic pivots.

2. “What will make this hire fail—regardless of their skill set?”

Reveals: hidden risks, culture misalignment, power dynamics.

3. “What surprised the last person who took this role?”

Reveals: unspoken expectations and reality-vs-pitch disconnects.

4. “Who stands to gain most if I succeed? Who might feel threatened?”

Reveals: internal alliances and opposition—before you step in.

5. “What’s one tough call I’ll need to make in my first 90 days?”

Reveals: real priorities and where the pressure lies.

6. “When the last crisis hit, what did this leadership team get right—and wrong?”

Reveals: leadership resilience, transparency, and how they handle stress.

7. “What’s the most important thing I’ll need to protect?”

Reveals: the company’s sacred cows—and potential no-go zones.

8. “What’s broken, but no one has had the courage to fix?”

Reveals: where change is needed—but politically risky.

9. “Who has a strong voice in this company without a title?”

Reveals: informal power structures that matter just as much as the org chart.

10. “When was the last time someone said no to the CEO—and what happened?”

Reveals: the real openness to dissent and challenge.

11. “What’s a leadership behaviour you quietly reward here?”

Reveals: values in action, not just on posters.

12. “Which functions are seen as profit drivers—and which are tolerated overhead?”

Reveals: where influence lives—and where it doesn’t.

13. “What does success in this role not look like?”

Reveals: the missteps others made, and how to avoid them.

14. “Who are the top 3 internal stakeholders I must win over early?”

Reveals: where political capital must be built fast.

15. “What would make you say—12 months from now—‘Hiring you was the best move we made’?”

Reveals: expectations, hopes, and how they’ll judge you when the honeymoon ends.

These aren’t just “smart” questions.
 
They’re strategy tools.

Don’t just be impressive in interviews.

Be informed. 

Be intentional. 

Be in control.

Reshare to help others raise the bar too. ♻

#culturematters #leadership #aviation

Arpad Szakal, ACC

Aviation Lawyer Turned Executive Search Expert | Connecting Top-Flight Talent with Leadership Opportunities | Building Companies & Careers Globally | Aviation, Transportation, Infrastructure & Energy

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