Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. - Albert Einstein

References and testimonials

The below list of references is in chronological order. The indicated positions are the ones the referees had at the period of our cooperation. The current positions may differ. The executives might be contacted via LinkedIn for further information, if needed.


The purpose of this page is to share some client testimonials with potential decision-makers (Regional Managers and HR Directors) based in Europe, USA or elsewhere abroad who might have critical recruitment needs in Azerbaijan or the region for highly sensitive and confidential search assignments, but may feel uncomfortable to contact us due to lack of previous cooperation.


“One of the most priceless assets Ogilvy & Mather can have is the respect of our clients and the whole business community.” (D.Ogilvy)




Eltchin Aghakishiyev

Eltchin Aghakishiyev

Eltchin Aghakishiyev

Client as General Manager, Chudo Pechka Food Retail Chain, and General Manager, Azeronline (Azerbaijan)

02.06.2021

It has been a truly entertaining, educating and value adding experience to be on a client side with Ilham engaged in executive search for C level positions, when I was managing a telecom and a production/retail chain in Azerbaijan. Ilham's professionalism, devotion and inclination towards client constitute the fundamentals of his unique value proposition and make sure every single process is

More
Piotr Perz

Piotr Perz

Piotr Perz

Client as Regional Manager for Caucasus, Moldava and Turkmenistan, BERLIN-CHEMIE Menarini (Germany)

01.06.2021

With Ilham I was working with some recruitment projects already for more than 10 years. Starting with the successful project of the recruitment of the Head for our organization in Azerbaijan. He prepared a shortlist of candidates representing high professional level and what is worth to mention most of them were fitting to our needs. Even if they still had the satisfying jobs he managed to

More
Ulduz Taghiyeva

Ulduz Taghiyeva

Ulduz Taghiyeva

Client as HR Director, Holcim Azerbaijan (member of LafargeHolcim Group)

30.04.2021

I have known Ilham Hajiyev for decades and can hardly remember when our professional paths crossed first time. During all these years it was a true pleasure to interact with Ilham professionally and in social network. His clients and colleagues acknowledge, appreciate and enjoy his professionalism, true intelligence, extremely vast interests, deep knowledge in quite different fields, the highest

More
Clemente Cappello

Clemente Cappello

Clemente Cappello

Client as Chairman, Sturgeon Capital (UK)

28.04.2021

I have known Ilham for more than 15 years and worked with him on several projects in various capacities. Ilham has a unique understanding on the local situation, leveraging on a wide, trusted network ranging from Ambassadors to artists, from investors to top managers, etc.... Interestingly however, he is also able to switch point of view, if needed, using as Western approach in one instance,

More
Shafa Zeynalova

Shafa Zeynalova

Shafa Zeynalova

Client as Managing Director, Q2B, Azerbaijan, HR, Business & Management Consultant (CIPD Level 7), Leadership Coach

16.02.2021

I met Ilham long ago, at the early stage of my career. I was impressed by his professional approach and ability to get all needed information from a person, asking challenging questions, yet creating trustful and "easy to share" environment. That was a memorable model of professional interview for me at that time. Later, as I moved forward, I had a chance to have broader experience of cooperation

More
Rafael Pashayev

Rafael Pashayev

Client as Country Manager, Nestle, Azerbaijan, and General Manager, Red Bull, Azerbaijan

27.01.2021

I have known Ilham Hajiyev for over 15 years. As a client, in my previous roles of Country Manager, Nestle, and GM, Red Bull, I worked with him on several recruitment projects including the regional – very successful – one. Also at certain point, in 2019, I had a chance to cooperate with T&I as a candidate evaluating new career opportunities: he was supportive and insightful at that period of

More
Melih Mengu

Melih Mengu

Melih Mengu

Client as Chief Commercial Officer, PASHA Bank (Azerbaijan)

03.09.2020

Ilham is a truly valuable and trustworthy business partner. As a client, in my role of Chief Commercial Officer at PASHA Bank, I had a pleasure to work closely with Ilham on many executive search projects we had. His contribution was significant in strengthening our management team during those challenging years of the bank’s growth. I had an opportunity to observe Ilham from different angles

More
Hirad Jenabzadeh

Hirad Jenabzadeh

Hirad Jenabzadeh

Client as Regional Manager for Iran & Caucasus, WIKA (Germany)

02.03.2020

I worked with Ilham on several recruitment projects and can unreservedly recommend him. He is very professional and through in both recognizing the client's needs and picking up capabilities in potential candidates. This is a very difficult achievement for international companies operating in AZ. Furthermore, he has an incredible network of business contacts in AZ and around the world, and is

More
Metin Amiraslanov

Metin Amiraslanov

Metin Amiraslanov

Client as Regional Manager for Caucasus, 3M (USA)

10.01.2020

I have known Ilham for past 13 years and interacted with him on the professional side. Eight years ago, in 2012, as Regional Manager responsible for Caucasus and Central Asia, I used his consultancy services to support our critical recruitment need. I was assigned to expand 3M’s (Fortune 100 major US manufacturing conglomerate) business in Georgia. We turned to Ilham to initiate the search for

More
Narmina (Ashari) Mursagulova

Narmina (Ashari) Mursagulova

Narmina (Ashari) Mursagulova

Team member as Researcher, Pedersen & Partners

22.11.2019

I had a pleasure to work with Ilham for around 3 years as Research Associate at Pedersen & Partners. I would have never imagined that headhunting could be such an interesting and thrilling experience! I enjoyed it so much! As my mentor, Ilham Hajiyev who managed the region of Caucasus and Iran at that time showed me how one can be strict, demanding, well structured, highly professional, and

More
Sevda Aliyeva

Sevda Aliyeva

Sevda Aliyeva

Client as HR Director, PASHA Bank (Azerbaijan)

12.09.2019

Pasha Bank Azerbaijan has a strong track record of a long and successful cooperation with T&I Consultancy for the executive search projects as well as some business critical middle management roles. Overall, in the last several years we have hired around 20+ mid & senior level managers including expatriates. T&I consultancy team members are great communicators and very efficient

More
Rossen Papazov

Rossen Papazov

Rossen Papazov

Client as CEO, Holcim Azerbaijan (member of LafargeHolcim Group)

03.09.2016

I worked with Ilham on a high level executive recruitment for our management team. Throughout the process Ilham demonstrated sound professional judgement and integrity. Key for the success of this project was Ilham’s access to high caliber professionals, as well as his ability to short list candidates that were best fit to the requirements of our company and to the profile of the position. I can

More
Sergey Tolmachev

Sergey Tolmachev

Sergey Tolmachev

Client as CEO, Carlsberg Group for Azerbaijan & Georgia

23.06.2016

Ilham Hajiyev is a talented executive search consultant with strong international background. He is the only recruiter in Azerbaijan with solid international experience. As CEO of Carlsberg Azerbaijan, I hired him to help us to close HR Director position. He displayed himself as the one who is not just recruits, but the one, who picks up candidates for individual features of the client

More
Michal Cupa

Michal Cupa

Michal Cupa

Client as CEO, AzerTelekom (Azerbaijan)

24.02.2015

I have known Ilham Hajiyev since 2009, when I was recruited from Microsoft to establish and run telecommunication operations in Azerbaijan, and worked in the capacity of CEO of AzerTelecom and as a Member of the Board of C-Ring Telecom, JV between AzerTelecom and Megafon. I have been Ilham’s placement, and using Ilham’s recruitment services to build up my internationally experienced and diverse

More
Lubomir Iliew

Lubomir Iliew

Lubomir Iliew

Candidate as Chief Operating Officer, ATL Group (Azerbaijan)

25.05.2014

Ilham is a specific type of person. Extrovert and outgoing, he can make an adult and settled down person change his ideas about career, country of residence, industry sector, and work environment – and be happy about it. With a smile.

More
Elena Tench

Elena Tench

Elena Tench

Candidate as Head of HR, Private Holding Group (UAE)

04.04.2012

Ilham is very professional in the field on recruitment. He is the person, whom I can thank for my present job and it was an absolute pleasure to work with Ilham all the way through the process - he is very responsive, structured and attentive to details from the professional point of view, and at the same time has very warm and pleasant personality. I can highly recommend Ilham if you are looking

More
Pietropaolo Cannistraci

Pietropaolo Cannistraci

Pietropaolo Cannistraci

Teacher as Professor of History of Architecture at the Università per Stranieri di Siena (Italy)

22.05.2011

I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Hajiyev during the duration of my course of "History of Architecture", when I had the chance to observe characteristics of earnestness and extreme propriety in his character such as high sensitivity, calm tenacity and creative endowments. I could appreciate, as well, his unique intellect constituted by his personality, deriving from a deep cultural

More
Muslim Aliyev

Muslim Aliyev

Muslim Aliyev

Client as Housing Team Leader, BP (Azerbaijan)

08.02.2011

I know Ilham since 1996 when Robero became a contractor of BP for providing construction, maintenance and leasing services for our apartments. Robero had a successful cooperation with BP for six years. His decision to leave for Europe in 2000 was a major reason of natural downsizing and final termination of this cooperation. I was in close touch with Ilham during all these years, initially, as a

More
Olexandr Krychevskyi

Olexandr Krychevskyi

Olexandr Krychevskyi

Candidate as General Manager, JSC Vitaminy (Ukraine)

16.09.2009

I met Ilham last December in Kiev during his search for a General Manager for a pharmaceutical plant in Uman, Ukraine. It was a great pleasure to know him. He is not only a professional head-hunter but also a pleasant person to talk to with various interests in art, literature, travelling. Frankly, I enjoyed being head-hunted by him. I was very surprised to see an Azerbaijani head-hunter

More
Christine Pence

Christine Pence

Christine Pence

Client as MBA Teacher at Paris Graduate School of Management (ESG)

30.05.2009

Ilham is professional in all he understakes. His MBA work was exemplary, as witnessed by his rapid career advancement. He uses his multi-lingual and multicultured background to great advantage in working with others. His varied life interests and experiences bring a richness to his work that stimulates all who work with him.

More
Arshad Vatankha

Arshad Vatankha

Arshad Vatankha

Candidate as Country Manager, Azerbaijan, BERLIN-CHEMIE Menarini (Germany)

22.05.2009

I met Ilham at an interview during a search for Country Manager, Berlin-Chemie in November 2007. I was impressed by his ability to listen to a candidate, to ask right and sometimes unexpected questions and to make right conclusions. I know it was his first search in the pharmaceutical industry of Azerbaijan; therefore I was extremely surprised by his market knowledge, understanding of the

More
Jean-Pierre Guinhut

Jean-Pierre Guinhut

Jean-Pierre Guinhut

Client as His Excellency, Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan in 1997-2001

08.03.2001

It is my distinct pleasure to present Mr. Ilham Hajiyev, an Azerbaijani citizen, an excellent linguist, a young and talented entrepreneur and a friend of this Embassy. Over the years, during which he lent us his support, between 1996 and 2000, Mr. Hajiyev has always shown exemplary thoughtfulness and efficiency. With impeccable punctuality, he is also scrupulously steady in his transactions, and

More