Christopher Cornwall

I’m a co-founder and managing partner of Mark Williams recruitment agency. We’re a specialist in placing Emiratis, finance, technology and strategy professionals in the UAE and wider GCC region.

I founded the business in 2009 with the belief and knowledge that things could be done significantly better in the recruitment market locally. I’m deeply passionate and motivated by two things, 1) providing a premium search service to our business partners through our best practice recruitment philosophy and, 2) seeing the success and growth of people within my team.

I’m a highly-meticulous and conscientious person, which are values that are ingrained in our everyday business operations as we strive to deliver an unrivaled service to our business partners. My knowledge of the recruitment process and best practice is second to none and I love to share this with anyone who’s keen to learn how to recruit the right way.

Some of our business achievements include:

- Becoming the number one UAE national recruitment agency and a trusted go to partner for a wide variety of tier-one companies in the country
- Growing the business to 24 staff within six years of inception
- Winning best Emiratisation Recruitment Agency for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 at the Middle East recruitment awards
- Being invited by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation as a guest speaker at the annual Emiratisation awards
- Being part of successful bids to work and deliver on some of the largest Emiratisation projects in the country

Starting my recruitment career in 2007, I’ve witnessed some turbulent market conditions which has conditioned me to operate in tough markets. I now relish these challenging market conditions as it’s highlights the importance client-centric, specialist recruitment firms.

Outside of the office, I’m a competitive golfer (plus 1 handicap), having won various amateur competitions regionally. I’m also a fitness enthusiast cycling Al Qudra and playing squash regularly. Other than sport, I’m a keen investor and stay up to date with global current affairs.

I’m married and have recently become a father to a beautiful (although rather noisy!) baby boy, Oscar.