Not long ago, I had a conversation with our Associate Partner in Argentina, Nicolás Castagneto. We discussed a talented candidate he had found for one of our clients. Once again, he impressed me with his enthusiasm and relentless dedication. He genuinely enjoys helping people and companies, always adding value by finding the most suitable candidate for every position. And he does this like no other, time and time again. The personal touch philosophy of High Touch fits him perfectly.

People and Market

For more than 30 years, Nicolás has been deeply familiar with Argentina’s agricultural sector, food industry, and the type of work carried out within these fields. He understands the people, the different cultures, the styles, and the preferences. He has been immersed in this world since childhood. He still proudly shares that, in 1995, at just 17 years old, he began his studies in agricultural business management. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he moved 400 km from home to become a veterinarian. I know his story well because he tells it often—and with great passion.

But Nicolás also loves talking about how Argentina is one of the largest economies in South America, with strong sectors in agriculture, industry, and services, all of which require talented professionals to thrive.

Special People

Nicolás is a driven individual who sees exciting growth opportunities in Argentina. Executive search, specifically tailored to the agriculture and food industry, is still underdeveloped in the country. While there are agencies that focus on the agricultural sector, they mainly target mid-level positions. On the other hand, large and local recruitment firms also search for talent in this industry, often relying on “special people”—specialists within a team or department focusing on a specific business sector.

A New Concept

Nicolás understands that turnover among these “special people” is extremely high. Many of these so-called “professionals” do not come from the agriculture or food industry, nor do they have first-hand experience with the work. In our discussions, Nicolás always emphasizes that High Touch is a completely new concept for Argentina when it comes to executive search.

Our “field to fork” approach, covering the entire value chain, represents a radically different strategy. And Nicolás embodies this approach—just like all our other Associate Partners, he has a strong background in agri, food, and FMCG.

Argentina or Italy?

Argentina is a country of richness and diversity. It is home to some of the largest soybean and beef producers in the world and boasts a thriving wine industry, particularly in the Mendoza region. Nicolás often teases me about my preference for Italian wine, especially Primitivo.

“You don’t know our wines well enough,” he says.
Of course, I am well aware that both Argentina and Italy have rich wine traditions. But maybe it’s time for me to explore the finer nuances of both a little better…

Building Sustainable Relationships

Driven professionals like Nicolás Castagneto contribute to the continuous growth and innovation of our industries by focusing on executive search and building long-term relationships. Through this, we can make a significant impact on the development and expansion of the agri, food, and FMCG sectors in Argentina and beyond.

Interested in Argentina or another country?

Let’s talk! I am always up for a great conversation.
Send me an email with a day and time that works for you, and we can arrange a phone or video call. Or feel free to call me directly right now.

Looking forward to speaking with you soon!

Wilko Grievink
📱 M: (+31) 6 553 622 53
📧 E: wilko.grievink@hightouchglobal.com