There’s only one thing that gives Santiago Solís Arias, Partner at Executive Connection S.A.S / AltoPartners Colombia, a bigger kick than placing a great candidate, and that’s spending time with his blended family. This former wild child found his salvation in Economics and threw himself into becoming a highly successful stockbroker before being headhunted into the rewarding world of Executive Search, where he has established a name for himself as a trusted advisor to boards and C-suites across the Andean region.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN, AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I was born in Bogota and grew up in Cali. I returned to Bogota in 1998 after my studies abroad and have lived here ever since. I love the temperate climate, the lifestyle and the proximity to raw nature.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY AND WHY?

I was very rebellious as a youngster. My father, who was a businessman and entrepreneur, sent me off to a military academy in the US in the hope that it would straighten me out. It happened to be close to George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, which is world-renowned for its economics faculty, having produced two Nobel-prize winners in the field. I was incredibly fortunate to study under James Buchanan, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his theory of economic and political decision-making. Inspired by him and others of his ilk, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from George Mason University and followed it with a postgraduate course in Marketing from Universidad ICESI at Cali.

FIRST JOB?

I initially joined my father’s enterprise, Equipos Electricos, but I wanted to be independent, so I struck out on my own and joined a firm of stockbrokers. I loved the work and was surprisingly successful at a very young age. I thrived in financial services, and it remains one of my favourite sectors.

FIRST CAR?

A pre-owned Subaru.

CURRENT CAR?

A grey BMW X6. The sports version. I love that car.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

That I got into it by accident. I don’t think anyone studies economics to become a headhunter; in fact, when I graduated, I didn’t know that this kind of work existed. I have the dot.com boom to thank for it. In 2001, I helped set up a Canadian-based online recruitment portal in the Andean region. Spencer Stuart was one of my clients and they asked me to become a partner. I’ve never looked back.

BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK?

Opening my own executive search and leadership advisory firm, Executive Connection, after having headed up one of the Big Five international executive search and recruitment consultancies. It turned out to be a great decision.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER ON A BAD DAY?

When we place a candidate, especially if it’s their dream role or they have been laid off and have a family to take care of. The economies in this region are volatile, so this can happen to any candidate, regardless of their calibre.

MY MOST REDEEMING QUALITY IS…

I am generous with my time and resources, and I fund and mentor students so that they may graduate from university. The main criterion is that they must be the first graduate in their family. It’s my small contribution to creating a more socially mobile and equitable society. I also always make a point of presenting a short list that is as diverse as possible to my clients.

I HAVE LEARNED TO… live in the moment and savour the journey. I have come to terms with the fact that some things take as long as they take.

WHAT’S THE THING THAT PEOPLE ARE MOST SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?

That I am dyslexic. It explains the problems I had at school – it was not a widely understood condition back then.

IN THE LAST MONTH, WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING CONVERSATION YOU HAVE HAD?

An open and frank discussion with my new father-in-law about life and family.

LAST (OR MOST LOVED) HOLIDAY?

Last Christmas with my two sons and my partner’s two children all together was one of the best in a long while. The oldest has completed university, and the youngest is just six, so we have wide-ranging conversations!

BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ IN THE PAST YEAR?

Because of my dyslexia, I prefer audiobooks, and I’m a great podcast fan, especially history. If I had to recommend a book to candidates or clients, it would be How To Be A Great Leader: 7 Steps to Success for CEOs, Executives and Senior Managers by David Paquette.

WHAT HAVE YOU BINGE-WATCHED RECENTLY?

I was a great fan of the first few seasons of The Crown, as I found the history fascinating. However, I’m less interested in the current history of the British royals.

BEST GADGET?

My car. I love a good road trip, and I have plenty of opportunity to put the car through its paces when I drive to our family farm, which is deep in nature, about five hours south of Bogota.

HOW DO YOU RELAX AND UNWIND?

I play golf, and I love being at the farm—it’s on a river, so it’s unspoiled and attracts a lot of wildlife.

CHARITY/ CAUSE CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART?

I have different organizations that I help, and Executive Connection also supports various UNICEF programmes in Cali.

I HAVE A COLLECTION OF… I guess you could say I have a big collection of small liquor bottles from my travels – 1,200 bottles and counting!

IN MY FRIDGE, YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND… a great variety of fresh fruit.