Q: How did ZRG's first year in Mexico unfold, and what differentiates the company from other talent-oriented solutions in the industry?

PP: ZRG has grown rapidly, both organically and through acquisitions of specialized boutique firms across various sectors. Mexico has always been a strategic focus for the company due to its importance to our clients in the United States, Europe, and Canada. However, the company accelerated its expansion in Mexico a couple of years ago, driven by nearshoring. This created demand from clients needing support with manufacturing, distribution, and establishing shared services efficiently. 

This past year has been highly successful in Mexico. Our long-term goal is to become a significant player in the Mexican market in sectors like executive recruitment, culture transformation consulting, and interim management solutions.

HL: The Mexican market is highly competition-driven, with global companies offering executive search services. What sets ZRG apart is our use of technology. Additionally, our consulting and advisory services give us an important edge in the market.

Q: What global talent trends have you observed in the oil and gas market across different regions?

PP: In 2024, we focused on understanding the Mexican energy market. ZRG has a strong energy practice in the United States and Canada. We are also expanding into the Middle East and parts of Asia. However, uncertainty in Mexico, particularly in the oil and gas sector, has made companies very cautious. We have been working with several clients in understanding  their talent pools and developing leadership succession and talent acquisition plans, but many are adopting a "wait and see" approach until the industry’s direction becomes clearer.

There is growing global demand for professionals, particularly in exploration and production, nonetheless. While Mexico has strong talent in these areas, competition is global. Regions like the Middle East and Africa, as well as countries like Argentina, are attracting talent, while Venezuela remains a provider. Many professionals are also relocating to regions in Asia with attractive national projects.

Q: How is ZRG's Zi platform positioned to meet Mexico’s oil and gas talent needs?

PP: We treat each client relationship as a consulting opportunity. We focus not only on technical skills but also on organizational fit and on the right attitude, which is vital in this very demanding  sector. Our proprietary Zi platform integrates all  requirements and information and allows for a comprehensive evaluation of candidate potential, including personality and leadership traits, and comparisons. The platform offers complete visibility, minimizes biases, and restricts access to approved personnel for added data security and confidentiality.     

HL: In traditional searches, interviewers assess candidates over several days, leading to inconsistent evaluations. With our platform, everything is captured during the interview in real time, allowing interviewers to rate specific criteria immediately. This speeds up the process, ensures more objective evaluations and minimizes delays by centralizing feedback in one place.     

Q: What soft and hard skills are needed in today's oil and gas industry?

PP: Amid geopolitical shifts and technological advances, the demand for skilled professionals in oil and gas will remain high. Clients continue to prioritize technical expertise, learning agility, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Executives who regularly pursue certifications or courses show a drive to stay updated with industry trends.Understanding and adaptability in the use of new technologies, like ChatGPT and Deepseek, are also essential nowadays. 

Companies seek leaders who can think strategically, act decisively, and inspire  with a clear vision,  empathic communication style, and  contagious passion.      

HL: In today’s VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environment, managing ambiguity is critical. Leaders need to guide their teams through uncertainty and place the right people in the right roles. Additionally, technological and digital learning is non-negotiable,      professionals must quickly adapt to new tools, new technologies and quickly pivot within industries regardless of their age, or experience.

Q: How does ZRG tailor its organizational culture transformation and leadership acceleration strategies to meet the specific needs of companies operating in Mexico?

PP: Through our Culture Consulting arm, Walking the Talk, we focus on understanding the true culture of organizations. Walking the Talk is a world leader in enhancing performance results by aligning culture with strategy. 

While global companies share common values, we have culture transformation experts with a proven track record helping companies  in Mexico. In many cases, companies seek not just a cultural adaptation but leaders  who can bring innovation and disruption to move their culture forward.

Q: What are your main objectives in Mexico’s energy and oil and gas sector for 2025?

PP: Our goal is continued growth with our current international clients as well as  increasing the number of searches with new Mexican clients. Despite regional and global challenges, Mexico has a promising outlook. While we do not expect rapid growth in 2025, we anticipate a stronger recovery by 2026–2027.     

HL: We expect 1Q25 to be crucial in assessing the government’s fiscal goals. If plans succeed, we can expect positive outcomes in 2026, but we need to see how 2025 unfolds.

ZRG Partners is a global talent advisory boutique providing executive search, professional search, and interim solutions including fractional, RPO solutions, culture consulting, and leadership strategy effectiveness analysis.