By Olivia DeWan 
Gregor Black, founder and CEO of Aureol Global Connections, has built a fast-growing international workforce solutions company focused on tackling Europe’s labour shortages. Since launching the business in 2022, he has led its expansion across multiple continents, connecting employers with skilled talent through a global recruitment network.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
Building a business that clients can genuinely rely on when workforce shortages start impacting productivity, quality or growth, and to continue building a strong culture where our team feels empowered to solve problems quickly and think long term.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
Navigating constant change. Labour markets shift, immigration policies evolve, and industries face new economic pressures almost every quarter. You have to stay agile without losing focus on your long-term strategy.
Another challenge is changing perceptions around international recruitment. There is a belief that overseas recruitment is simply about filling vacancies cheaply. It’s not. It’s about solving critical skills shortages and helping businesses remain operational and competitive.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
People stay motivated when they feel their work matters. We make a real impact on businesses that are struggling to find skilled workers, and we also change lives for candidates and their families. Keeping that purpose visible is important.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
The widening skills gap across Europe and the UK. Many industries are facing ageing workforces, declining numbers entering skilled trades and increasing demand for specialist roles.
At the same time, regulatory scrutiny around recruitment and migration is increasing from governments, which means companies need recruitment partners who understand compliance inside and out. Businesses can no longer afford shortcuts or reactive hiring strategies.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
We’re seeing businesses become much more strategic about workforce planning rather than hiring only when there’s a crisis. Companies are now looking at long-term talent pipelines, retention strategies and international workforce integration.
There’s also growing demand for multilingual workers, candidates with cross-sector adaptability and workers who are comfortable operating in increasingly digital environments. AI and automation are changing industries, but they’re also increasing the need for highly skilled people who can manage and work alongside those technologies.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
The visa and work permit system needs to be streamlined and modernised. It must be robust, so we are allowing the right people into the country, but it should be much faster and a one-stage process, rather than two. I’d also like to see greater recognition of ethical international recruitment.
As an employer, are you finding any skill gaps in the market?
Skilled trades are one of the biggest pressure points right now, particularly in construction and engineering. Roles that require both technical expertise and practical experience are becoming increasingly difficult to fill locally.
How did your strategy develop in the context of the banking crisis and economic crisis?
I have seen a few downturns throughout my career. The financial crisis back in 2011 blew my business in Dubai out the water.
There were big slowdowns in the mining industry in Australia, which impacted me when I was living there.
There was then COVID….
I guess the thing is to be nimble. There is always an opportunity!
How do you define success, and what drives you to succeed?
Success for me is about building something with lasting value – a company that people trust, a team that’s proud of what they do and relationships that stand the test of time. The amount of repeat and referral business we enjoy is a measure of that.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
There is nothing that really comes to mind. I have kind of carved my own path – made my own mistakes and learned from them.
What advice would you give to others starting in business?
Find a point of difference.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
Expanding our relationships across European markets and seeing repeat business from clients who trust us to deliver consistently.
Another has been strengthening our presence in sectors facing major workforce shortages and helping clients maintain operations during extremely challenging labour market conditions.
Seeing members of our team grow within the business and forge their careers is a huge personal highlight.
What’s next for your company?
The next phase is focused on scaling strategically. We want to continue expanding across Europe and strengthen our position as a trusted workforce solutions partner in sectors where skilled labour shortages are becoming increasingly severe.
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
I want Aureol Global Connections to be recognised not just as a recruitment company, but as a strategic workforce partner that businesses actively seek out for expertise, reliability and long-term solutions.
I’d also like to see continued growth across new sectors and stronger brand recognition internationally, but as an Irish company, our footprint in Ireland will always be important to us.
What is the best book you’ve ever read (non-business) and why?
The Dogfighter by Marc Bojanowski. The book was written without punctuation. It is the book I remember the most.
What is your favourite hobby and why?
I have a few! I have an 8-year-old daughter, so I love going to the GAA, Taekwondo, and gymnastics with her. I am happiest out on the ocean, out of sight of land, fishing. I’m also a rugby fanatic!
What is your mantra for life?
“Be here now.”
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