Allura Partners Welcomes Calum Forster to Drive Growth in Accounting & Finance Recruitment

Joining the Allura Partners team marks not only a new professional chapter for Calum Forster but also a significant life change, having recently relocated from London to Sydney. While the move represents an exciting career opportunity, Calum’s decision was equally motivated by lifestyle considerations. 

“The lifestyle in Australia is appealing,” Calum explained when asked about his motivation for the intercontinental move. After spending several years working in London, he felt the city had changed. “While living and working in London has its advantages, especially financially, it began to feel less aligned with what I wanted long-term. Sydney offers a safer environment and a better place to raise a family. It was a thoughtful, mature decision.” 

Finding the Right Fit 

Calum’s decision to join Allura Partners wasn’t made in haste. His methodical approach to finding the right firm reflects the strategic thinking he brings to his recruitment work. 

“This move has been in the pipeline for quite a while,” he explained. “When we were seriously considering moving to Australia, I did lots of research on Sydney’s finance & accounting recruitment sector. I particularly wanted to know who specialises in private equity. Allura Partners came up at the top of the list.” 

This initial research led to a connection with Allura Partners’ Managing Director, Andrew Smith, beginning a conversation that would continue for several months before Calum’s arrival in Sydney.  

Building a Career in Finance 

Calum’s recruitment success to date has been underpinned by substantial experience in the financial sector. Before entering recruitment, he spent nearly seven years at Santander, a well-established bank in the UK, advancing to become a relationship manager for high-net-worth clients in their private banking division. 

His entry into recruitment came through Robert Half, where he spent three years managing an interim finance and accounting desk with considerable success. A move to London subsequently led him to Investigo, where he was tasked with building a private equity desk from scratch – a challenge he embraced and excelled at for five years. 

Specialist Sector Focus 

Calum said his experience in private equity made Allura Partners a natural fit. “Private equity can be complex in terms of transactions, deal structures & key skills they tend to look for in candidates. I hope to bring my knowledge of private equity, along with techniques learned in London, and my understanding of the market to the team.” 

Additionally, he said Allura Partners’ approach and reputation for quality service aligned perfectly with his own professional philosophy at this stage in his career. “From what I’ve seen and my research, Allura Partners has a good reputation for getting the basics right – providing good candidate service, positive experiences, and keeping promises.” 

In his new role, Calum is primarily focused on recruiting for private equity and venture capital-backed companies across various sectors. He will also specialise in real estate, property, infrastructure, utilities and telecoms. 

His recruitment efforts will target mid- to senior-level finance roles, including Finance Manager to Finance Director positions, typically within a salary range of $160,000 to $250,000. 

Strategic Relationship Building 

When asked about his approach to building strong relationships with candidates and clients – a crucial aspect of recruitment, especially in a new market – Calum acknowledged the importance of strategic specialisation. “It’s not about targeting anyone and everyone – you have to be very strategic in your approach.” 

Additionally, he observed that, “it’s better to build expertise and become a specialist within certain sectors as opposed to being a jack of all trades. Being too general can damage your credibility. 

Honesty and integrity are also key values that guide Calum’s work. “I’m honest and I like honesty both ways. For me, a good working relationship is built on trust, clear communication and collaboration” 

This straightforward approach is complemented by meticulous organisation and responsiveness. “I do what I say I’m going to do, and I do it promptly.” Ultimately, his focus remains on delivering exceptional service: “I take pride in giving both candidates and clients good service and solid advice.” 

As he settles into his new role at Allura Partners, Calum is excited about becoming fully integrated into both the company and Sydney life more broadly. “I’m excited about being fully integrated into this business and being seen as someone who brings real value.” 

If you’re a finance professional considering your next career move in private equity or a business looking to strengthen your accounting and finance team with exceptional talent, please get in touch with Calum to discuss how he can support your recruitment needs or career aspirations.