Sweett chief targets Europe, North America (Published in Partnerships Bulletin – http://www.partnershipsbulletin.com/?rc=5) 14 April 2015 Exclusive: European investment is key to growth, North America has a lot to offer; challenges can be tackled Douglas McCormick, the recently appointed chief executive of consultancy Sweett Group, has told Partnerships Bulletin that a major focus for the company will be to build on market share in Europe and strengthen its offer in the North American market. "In Canada, we’ve just announced a partnership with Pelican Woodcliff in Toronto," he said. "That’s with an eye to the Canadian market but also to the rest of the North American market. The PPP market for Canada is of real interest." He suggested that future progress in these markets is likely to be through more partnerships and collaborations, rather than acquisitions. McCormick added that while he recognises Sweett Group has had "a fairly tough time", the current strategic review will address many of these issues. "I think the future is really quite optimistic and we will return to a place where we see sustainable growth. I wouldn’t have taken the job if I hadn’t been comfortable that the issues that we have, which are real, can be dealt with properly." While McCormick said there are no plans to change the current trajectory of returning to core markets and not investing in PPP deals in the future, he did not completely rule out a return to the investments business. "We’re not an investment company, we’re a professional services consultancy business and we need to stick at what we’re good at," he said. "But one should never say never." A full interview with Douglas McCormick will feature in the June issue of Partnerships Bulletin