Key People

Craig is the founder of Italent. Prior to recruitment he worked in the investment world as a stockbroker and investment consultant. Craig has always worked with technical products and high networth individuals & senior candidates. Craig has 8 years’ experience in structuring candidate sourcing strategies and leading the construction search team at Italent. His domain expertise is within Architectural and Interior Design.

Some recent noticeable placements are Director of Interior Design, Senior Director Interior Design, Regional Director Hospitality, and positions such as Country Manager and COO.

Jon started his recruitment career in 2006 and has worked in Power and Renewable Energy ever since. Jon moved to Dubai in 2011 and become one of Spencer Ogden’s most respected managers. With 14 years in the renewable space, Jon’s network and technical understand is second to none. He is arguably the most experienced energy recruiter in the Middle East today. Jon has placed numerous senior-level candidates across a range of power projects and works with a who is who of power companies.

Some noticeable placements include CEO, Project Director, Construction Director and CFO on Power Plants.

Keith has 16-year recruitment experience, of which 5 are based in the Middle East. Keith was previously the divisional director of a construction search company overseeing the office in the Middle East as well as actively recruiting himself. Keith is well known for his pro-active style and ability to always deliver results, every time at speed.

Keith has made numerous high-profile placements across his Middle East career in every GCC country from Country Managers, Technical Directors and Mechanical and Electrical Directors.

Brian Joined Italent in 2019 and made an immediate impact. Brian has 8 years recruitment experience across the Middle East. Prior to joining Italent Brian was working with BWP for 5 years and has always recruited within the Construction & Fit out industries. Brian works with Contractors and Developers. Brian’s experience covers PM/CM, infrastructure delivery, HSE through to project directors.

Some noticeable placement includes Fit Out Package Manage & Director of Operations for a leading International Developer. He has also worked extensively in Saudi Arabia placing roles such as Associate Director Utilities, HSE Senior Manager and a Senior Project Manager.

As Principal Recruitment Consultant, Inthes Absalone exhibits innate ability to sniff out talents, reach out and connect with them wherever they are from. He has provided mid to senior level recruitment services to organizations across UAE, Middle East, North, East and South Africa and India.

His Industry knowledge and understanding of niche positions has benefited his clients immensely and enabled them resort to him with exclusivity. His commitment to build and maintain long-term relationships with his clients and candidates is proven.

Cherry has been with Italent for nearly 7 years. Cherry is an expert within market mapping, candidate sourcing and project research. She oversees the company internal database and supports the team on search mandates. Cherry is reliable, hardworking and provides that extra support required for a high performing recruitment team.

Jean Nazareno
Senior Resource Consultant

Jena supports the team with general recruitment coordination and administration. She handles job posting across Bayt, Reed, Total Jobs and other job portals. She also schedules interviews, manages offers and ensure the administration of process runs smoothly.

Robbie Bannatyne
Associate Director

Robbie, originally from Glasgow, has over 8 years international recruitment experience. His area of expertise is within the Energy and Technology fields.

Robbie possesses solid knowledge in the Energy, DSO, Data, Cloud & DevOps industry, which is demonstrated through his successful track record of placements in these fields.

Danny Saleem
Associate Director

Danny started his recruitment career fresh after graduating from University in the UK and has spent the last 5 years recruiting for candidates within the Digital space across the globe.

With a background of recruiting for the busy London market, Danny possesses expert knowledge across the digital & technology industry and endeavors to provide a truly consultative approach out here in the UAE.

Nathan Greene
Associate Director

Nathan has 12 years recruitment experience and has worked at blue chip agencies such as Michael Page and Spencer Ogden.

Nathan is leading the technology function at Italent and has been in the region for 7 years, delivery numerous high-profile technology & digital roles to client-side organizations as well as consulting businesses.

His technical knowledge around digital transformations and technology is second to none.

Chris Pike
Principal Consultant

Chris has 10 years recruitment experience. Prior to joining Italent he spent the previous 3 year working in Saudi within the Saudi Gigaproject Amaala.

Chris was responsible for hiring the corporate function within the project such as Finance, Administration, Innovation and Marketing.

Prior to Amaala Chris has been working within a recruitment agency environment giving him a holistic overview from both the agency and client side.

Elle Pepito
Finance & Operations Manager

Elle is Italent‘s financial whizz. She runs the operations of the company as well as managing the day-to-day financial running of the business. Elle is the glue that makes the operation run as smoothly as it does.