CEO Insights Magazine

In today's fast-paced business environment, companies are looking to expand their international footprint to tap into new markets and gain a competitive advantage. With globalization, there is an increased need for skilled and experienced leaders who can help businesses navigate the complexities of operating in foreign countries. Country managers play a crucial role in the success of these international ventures. They are responsible for overseeing and managing the company's operations in a specific country, ensuring that the business is compliant with local laws and regulations, building relationships with key stakeholders, and tailoring the products and services to meet the needs of the local market.

One excellent example of such an eminent Country Manager is Jorge Zazo of Vector Renewables - Japan. He started as a business development analyst in 2018, when the company had just 10 people. When there was no business development or sales activity, he was able to bring better sales and reach more clients. Jorge then started a business line for financial services/ financial asset management with his expertise in the field. In the first two years, the team grew from one to twelve and today the whole company is 40 talents stronger, with good profitability and revenue numbers. Jorge was promoted as Country Manager at the end of 2020, owing to his skills and contribution. CEO Insights Asia is excited to interview him and learn more.

Hi Jorge, can you give a brief about Vector Renewables and its current position in the market.

Vector Renewables is a leading independent consulting firm in the renewable energy sector. With almost 20 years of experience, we provide technical, commercial, and legal support to our clients at every stage of their renewable energy projects. Our services cover the entire life cycle of a renewable energy facility, from project development and construction to connection, start-up, and asset management. We have a track record of technical services of 250 gigawatts of assets and currently managing around 5 gigawatts of assets, which is an amazing amount of green energy. Our team of highly qualified professionals has worked on over 3,000 projects in 40 countries and helped almost every company that invests in renewable energy in the Japanese market. We assist our clients to incorporate sustainability into their business model strategy and our goal is to get the most out of your projects.  

As a Country Manager, the approach towards attracting new customers focuses on two key points, i.e., brand reputation and transparency. Firstly, I ensure that our brand reputation is strong by maintaining the highest quality services and ensuring visibility in the market, and always counting with client feedback. Secondly, I prioritize being always in touch with the market, which allows us to be transparent with clients, keeping them informed about market developments and using our knowledge to provide the best possible service. By following these two approaches, we aim to attract new customers and foster strong collaborations with existing ones.

What is your hiring strategy as the Country Manager of Vector Renewables?

While hiring new staff members, I prioritize strong technical background and excellent communication skills. Communication is particularly important as we regularly interact with clients, lenders, as overall we are exposed to the market. I look for candidates who can communicate effectively in both Japanese and English, and who can convey information clearly and concisely. Additionally, I seek candidates who are able to adapt to the different needs of our clients and the markets we operate in. By prioritizing these qualities in potential candidates, we aim to hire individuals who will help strengthen our brand and provide the best possible service to our clients.

How do you guide your team members in their professional and personal career growth as an industry leader? How do you ensure continuous learning?

As a consultant and industry leader, I focus on encouraging my team members to stay up to date with the market and its changes. I push them to check for changing patterns and events happening at the investor, country, and regulation level. I believe it's important for everyone to focus on their brand reputation, not just the company's. As consultants, we put our name on reports, emails, site visits, and every interaction with the market. Therefore, I guide my team to focus on their own brand reputation and strive to develop their skills to the best of their abilities.

Staying updated with the latest industry dynamics is mandatory. We stay in touch with lawyers, ministries, and lenders who keep us informed about the new requirements. We share all the knowledge internally in our teams and use it to keep our clients informed. Our brand reputation also depends on representing a strong company in the market, which requires having all the necessary knowledge and information. Therefore, staying up to date with the new regulations and guidelines is an essential part of our job. 

Jorge Zazo, Country Manager - Japan, Vector Renewables

Jorge Zazo holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with a specialization in international economics, a master’s degree in finance and international MBA. He has over three years of experience in finance consulting, specializing in banking, investment funds, and long-term business planning. He has also completed an internationalization program supported by the Ministry of Economy in Spain, which included a one-year internship in an embassy of Spain around the world as a trade analyst. Jorge has taken short courses on financial modelling and leadership, as well as human management training, primarily focused on understanding human behaviour for managerial activities.