2004
Doors open in Peterborough.
Our first office launches with a team of six on Lynch Wood. Cambridge follows the same year, giving us two offices before our first anniversary.
Client Background
Tennant UK had an established HRBP role for several years but recently identified the need for a more specialised partner to work closely with the service team, which is primarily field-based.
This role would also need to collaborate extensively with the Head of Service to ensure alignment between HR strategies and operational goals. Furthermore, the successful candidate needed to be geographically positioned between the company’s Northampton and Bolton offices, allowing for travel and field-based work.
The client sought someone with a unique blend of skills, including HR expertise, field-based experience, and the ability to navigate the dynamic needs of the service team. With limited candidates matching these criteria and a challenging geographical requirement, the recruitment process was inherently complex.
| – Newly created role – Geographical requirements – Specialised skillset | – Initial candidate withdrawal – Tight timeline – Field-based work |
How we added value
- By working with us, the client was able to overcome initial challenges and ultimately secure a new hire who is already making a positive impact on their business.
- Deep Understanding of Client Needs
- Our initial meeting allowed us to fully grasp the specific demands of the role, ensuring we targeted the right candidates.
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- Speed and Efficiency
- When the first offer fell through, we rapidly pivoted and presented 3 high-quality candidates in a short timeframe. This efficiency was crucial given the tight timeline.
- Expert Candidate Selection
- Our process of curating candidates and setting up a tailored presentation task ensured that the client met candidates who were highly suited for the role, leading to a successful second placement.
- External Branding
- As a retained search, we managed the entire process, including external branded advertising, which attracted candidates aligned with the client’s values and needs.
- The newly hired HR Business Partner has been a perfect fit for the company, quickly acclimating to the role and proving to be highly effective in managing the service team. The ability to understand and meet both HR and operational needs has significantly enhanced team alignment and productivity.
Our Approach
Understanding the critical nature of the role, we embarked on the recruitment process with a clear strategy in place:
Initial Meeting & Briefing:
We conducted a comprehensive briefing with the client to fully understand the intricacies of the role, organisational culture, and specific requirements for the new HR Business Partner.
Exclusive, Retained Search:
This was a retained role, allowing us to manage external branded advertising, carefully curate candidates, and dedicate focused resources to finding the right fit.
Candidate Selection:
The first round involved sending out 5 CVs of top-tier candidates who met the role’s criteria. All 5 candidates were interviewed, and an offer was made to one. However, a counteroffer from the candidate’s current employer led them to decline the offer and remain in their current role.
Despite this setback, we remained agile and quickly restarted the search. We utilised our network and resources to send out 3 new CVs in a very short period, leading to 3 interviews and a final offer. The selected candidate accepted and began their role just two weeks later.