Global Management Solutions (GMS) is a distinguished executive search firm focusing on the automotive sector. It offers a wide array of services, including executive search, project hiring, and talent solutions for leadership and middle management roles. Its methodology ensures that its solutions are perfectly aligned with its clients’ goals, strategies, and organizational culture.
What sets GMS apart is its deep-rooted industry expertise, expansive global network, and unwavering commitment to its core values of trust, honesty, and respect. “With resources across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa, we combine local insights with global best practices to assemble high-performance teams. This unique approach enables us to deliver sustainable competitive advantages to our clients,” says Lauren Bartmanis, the Managing Director at Global Management Solutions (GMS).
With over two decades of experience in the industry, Lauren leverages her extensive international networks to amplify talent across all levels of organizational structures strategically. She has cultivated a reputation as the preferred partner for top automotive businesses in the region.
The Business WorldWide (BWW) had had the opportunity to converse with Lauren and understand her journey. Here’s an excerpt:
Could you share your professional journey? What made you choose your current industry?
Lauren: I began my career in graphic design, driven by a passion for creativity and visual communication.
However, after being made redundant, I transitioned into the recruitment industry at the age of 20. This shift was fuelled by my sales ability and my love of cultivating and developing lasting relationships.
My determination and hard work paid off when I was promoted to branch manager at 22, becoming the youngest branch manager at the UK’s largest independent recruitment company. This early success in recruitment revealed my knack for the industry, ultimately leading me to specialize in the automotive sector and establish Global Management Solutions (GMS) in 2014. The drive to fill a market gap for specialized executive search services in the automotive field continues to motivate me and shape my future.
Brief us about the company and its services. How does GMS differentiate itself as the premier source for executive search and consultancy services in the automotive sector?
Global Management Solutions (GMS) is a distinguished executive search firm that focuses on the automotive sector. We offer a wide array of services, including executive search, project hiring, and talent solutions for leadership and middle management roles. Our methodology ensures that our solutions are perfectly aligned with our clients’ goals, strategies, and organizational culture.
What sets GMS apart is our deep-rooted industry expertise, expansive global network, and unwavering commitment to our core values of trust, honesty, and respect. With resources across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa, we combine local insights with global best practices to assemble high-performance teams. This unique approach enables us to deliver sustainable competitive advantages to our clients.
Could you elaborate on how GMS sources candidates both globally and regionally? What unique advantages does this approach offer?
Lauren: GMS utilizes a comprehensive network of carefully selected professionals worldwide. By blending global reach with deep regional knowledge, we can tap into a vast talent pool. We employ industry best practices and maintain robust relationships with local talent, particularly in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
This dual approach offers several benefits:
- Diverse Talent Pool: Access to a wide range of candidates with varied skills and experiences.
- Cultural Fit: Ability to match candidates with the specific cultural and strategic needs of our clients.
- Regional Expertise: In-depth understanding of local markets and talent dynamics.
- Global Standards: Implementation of global best practices in recruitment and talent management.
BWW: Given the critical demand for talent in the automotive industry, how do you help clients find top talent in the market?
Lauren: We assist clients in finding top talent by leveraging our extensive industry knowledge, comprehensive candidate network, and tailored recruitment strategies. Our process includes:
- In-depth Market Research: Understanding the specific needs and challenges of our clients.
- Targeted Search: Identifying and approaching candidates who meet the precise requirements of the role.
- Rigorous Screening: Conducting thorough assessments to ensure candidates possess the necessary skills, experience, and cultural fit.
- Consultative Approach: Providing clients with insights and advice on market trends, talent availability, and recruitment strategies.
This meticulous approach ensures that we deliver high-quality candidates who can drive success and innovation within the automotive sector.
You have cultivated long-standing relationships with clients, some of whom partner with GMS exclusively. How do you maintain these partnerships, and what value does exclusivity bring to both parties?
Lauren: Maintaining long-standing relationships with clients involves a commitment to understanding their unique needs, delivering consistent results, and fostering trust and transparency. We achieve this by:
- Personalized Service: Offering tailored solutions that align with our clients’ strategic objectives.
- Regular Communication: Keeping clients informed throughout the recruitment process and maintaining open lines of communication.
- Continuous Improvement: Seeking feedback and continuously refining our approach to meet evolving client needs.
Exclusivity brings significant value to both parties:
- For Clients: Assurance of dedicated focus and priority, access to top-tier talent, and a trusted partnership that understands their business deeply.
- For GMS: Deeper engagement with clients, enabling us to provide more effective and efficient recruitment solutions, and fostering long-term collaboration.
The automotive industry faces complex challenges. How do you guide clients through managerial changes, strategic shifts, and geographic expansions?
Lauren: Guiding clients through managerial changes, strategic shifts, and geographic expansions involves a comprehensive and consultative approach.
This begins with strategic planning, where we collaborate with clients to understand their goals and challenges and develop tailored strategies to address them.
In change management, we assist clients in managing transitions smoothly by providing experienced leadership and management talent.
For geographic expansion, we leverage our global network to source talent that can drive success in new markets and provide insights into local market dynamics.
Additionally, we offer continuous support and advice to ensure that clients can adapt to changes and achieve their strategic objectives.
BWW: Having spent over a decade in the Middle East, what insights can you share about talent dynamics and opportunities in this region?
Lauren: Over a decade in the Middle East has provided valuable insights into the region’s talent dynamics and opportunities. The region has seen a growing demand for skilled professionals, especially in the automotive sector, highlighting the need for expertise in this rapidly evolving industry. Governments are actively implementing nationalization initiatives to increase local workforce participation, which opens up numerous opportunities for local talent to thrive. The Middle East’s workforce is notably diverse, with expatriates contributing a wide range of skills and experiences, enriching the talent pool. Additionally, significant investments in technology and infrastructure are driving innovation, creating new opportunities for skilled professionals to contribute to cutting-edge projects and developments.
Understanding these dynamics enables GMS to effectively source and place talent that meets the specific needs of our clients in the region.
As a modern-day entrepreneur, how are you using technology to benefit your organization?
Lauren: Using technology has been crucial to our success at GMS. We utilize advanced tools to streamline our recruitment processes, improve how we match candidates to jobs, and maintain efficient operations. Technology helps us stay connected with a global network of candidates, allows us to conduct remote interviews (and working), and provides valuable insights that help our clients make informed hiring decisions. By embracing these technological advancements, we ensure that GMS continues to deliver exceptional results for our clients.
As a contemporary woman entrepreneur, how do you support diversity and inclusion at your workspace?
Lauren: At GMS, our team is entirely remote and spans five different countries. This diversity is a significant strength, and I firmly believe that without our talented team—Muhammad Toqeer, Hunbal Siddiqui, Libinda Paul, Linda Aujan, and our dedicated support staff—GMS would not be as successful as we are. While I may be the face of the company, it’s the team that truly drives our business forward.
We have achieved a 100% staff retention rate over the past five years, demonstrating that our system works effectively. Our diverse team enables us to excel in providing diversity and inclusion in all our endeavours, making us unbeatable in this regard.
By championing diversity and inclusion in all that we do, we create a dynamic and innovative workplace that drives success and reflects the diverse nature of the markets we serve.
BWW: Can you tell us more about the team at GMS? How do their diverse skills and experiences contribute to the company’s success?
Lauren: Our team at GMS is incredibly diverse and talented, each member bringing unique skills and experiences that drive our success. Muhammad Toqeer, our lead recruiter, has a strong background in the automotive industry and extensive experience in executive search. His deep understanding of market dynamics and strategic insight helps us identify and attract top-tier talent globally, Toqeer has worked with me for over 10 years now and his contribution to the business is essential to our success! His dedication is invaluable to GMS.
Linda Aujan, a GCC national who speaks both Arabic and English, has over 13 years of experience in in-house recruitment for a local automotive dealer group. Her bilingual abilities and regional expertise allow us to effectively communicate and connect with local talent and clients, ensuring cultural alignment and understanding.
Libinda Paul brings a wealth of knowledge in human resources and talent management in Automotive. Her experience in developing and implementing resourcing strategies helps us streamline our processes and ensure we deliver high-quality service to our clients, consistently.
Hunbal Siddiqui, with his robust experience candidate sourcing and management, enhances our capability to find the right fit for roles that require specialized. His analytical skills and strategic approach are vital in navigating the complexities of recruiting a diverse range of candidates from Technicians through to Managers.
Together, this team embodies the core values of GMS—trust, honesty, and respect. Their combined expertise and dedication enable us to provide exceptional executive search and consultancy services, tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients – GMS wouldn’t be GMS without these four absolute professionals!
BWW: What are the next big goals for you and how do you plan to tackle the challenges that lie ahead?
Lauren: The next big goals for GMS include expanding our reach into new markets, enhancing our technological capabilities, and continuing to build on our reputation as a leading executive search consultancy. To tackle the challenges ahead, we will:
- Invest in Technology: Continue to leverage advanced tools and platforms to improve our services by launching a new automotive-specific product to the MENA region in 2025
- Expand Global Network: Strengthen our global network to access a wider talent pool.
- Enhance Client Partnerships: Deepen our relationships with clients to better understand and meet their evolving needs.
- Foster Innovation: Encourage a culture of innovation within GMS to stay ahead of industry trends and challenges.
BWW: What is that one quote you absolutely live by or find helpful?
Lauren: A quote that resonates deeply with me is, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” This quote by Steve Jobs serves as a constant reminder that passion and dedication are essential for achieving excellence in any field and I LOVE what I do. I am so very thankful for my fantastic team who are equally as passionate as I am!
Quote: “The drive to fill a market gap for specialized executive search services in the automotive field continues to motivate me and shape my future.”