Sweett chief targets Europe, North America

Sweett chief targets Europe, North America
(Published in Partnerships Bulletin – http://www.partnershipsbulletin.com/?rc=5)
14 April 2015
Exclusive: European investment is key to growth, North America has a lot to offer;
challenges can be tackled
Douglas McCormick, the recently appointed chief executive of consultancy Sweett Group, has
told Partnerships Bulletin that a major focus for the company will be to build on market share in
Europe and strengthen its offer in the North American market.
"In Canada, we’ve just announced a partnership with Pelican Woodcliff in Toronto," he said. "That’s
with an eye to the Canadian market but also to the rest of the North American market. The PPP
market for Canada is of real interest." He suggested that future progress in these markets is likely to
be through more partnerships and collaborations, rather than acquisitions.
McCormick added that while he recognises Sweett Group has had "a fairly tough time", the current
strategic review will address many of these issues.
"I think the future is really quite optimistic and we will return to a place where we see sustainable
growth. I wouldn’t have taken the job if I hadn’t been comfortable that the issues that we have, which
are real, can be dealt with properly."
While McCormick said there are no plans to change the current trajectory of returning to core markets
and not investing in PPP deals in the future, he did not completely rule out a return to the investments
business.
"We’re not an investment company, we’re a professional services consultancy business and we need
to stick at what we’re good at," he said. "But one should never say never."
A full interview with Douglas McCormick will feature in the June issue of Partnerships Bulletin