- Can you tell us a bit about your background, and your role Resourcery?
After leaving university, where I studied Economics & Management, I worked for a private client investment management firm, Quilters, as a trainee, who later became part of Morgan Stanley and are now Quilter Cheviot. Once qualified as an Investment Manager, I took a year out to live abroad and learn a foreign language travelling around much of Spain before falling back into investment management at Tilneys in Liverpool. After several months of soul-searching I decided my chosen career path wasn’t the one I want to be on and I moved in to finance recruitment working for Michael Page International, Page Executive and Robert Half Executive before launching Resourcery Group (www.resourcerygroup.com) in 2016 with my business partner, Allison Hodgkinson.
- How’s business at the moment?
It has been encouragingly busy in recent weeks, especially the last fortnight. Lockdown came with a bump and the anticipated knee-jerk reaction by many, understandable when present with the unknown. Many of our clients placed a blanket freeze on recruitment irrespective of their being a business case to do so. It was understandable. But many businesses have faired slightly better than maybe they first anticipated and much of the work that was shelved or cancelled has come back on. Business seem to be more willing to put their head above the parapet. The signs are encouraging, albeit is still early days and we cannot rule out a second wave and its subsequent impact.
- What’s the best part of your job?
Anyone who knows me well knows two things about me: I love coffee and I love to talk! Recruitment, especially senior finance and executive recruitment, is so varied it brings me in to contact with a very broad spectrum of people and businesses; from owner-managed to PE-backed, from SMEs to PLCS. The chance to spend time with people, hear their story, help shape and guide their careers, the chance to influence the success of a business through the people they hire and getting to meet lots of interesting businesses/owners all whilst drinking coffee made recruitment the perfect fit for me!
- If you hadn’t been a recruiter, what would you have done?
Well almost certainly I would have stayed in private client investment management. If it hadn’t been for my year learning a foreign language I would arguably still be in the sector as I made many long-term friends and contacts which I still keep in touch with to this very day.
- As we come out of lockdown and into the ‘new normal’, what’s main challenge for you at Resourcery?
Like most businesses, and the economy as a whole, I am not a massive fan of uncertainty. It is destabilising and causes procrastination and knee-jerk behaviour. It is natural that as we move from complete lockdown to a new socially restricted way of working that there will be further peaks and troughs in confidence. The likelihood of a recession and a second wave of infection prays heavy on the minds of many business owners.
Coping with these peaks and troughs and learning to rationalise is key. Being pragmatic and seeing the bigger longer-term picture is key. It is why recently we have gone back to basics and refocused on what the business wants to be and is looking to achieve in the long-term as it is only too easy to get caught up in short-termism. We are making investment decisions today to safe-guard our futures.
- What opportunities can you see?
I think for those businesses willing to take a calculated risk, there is a chance to steal a march on your competition. At times like these many businesses will be focusing on cost rationalisation, aggressively managing debtors (and avoiding creditors), restructuring, focusing on core activities and thinning out their businesses. But whilst all common sense you shouldn’t stop making the right people additions to your business that will give you a competitive advantage and add real value. Undoubtedly there will be some unfortunate business causalities within all sectors and the potential for consolidation.
- What’s the feeling from your clients and candidates?
More positive now than 12 weeks ago! In all seriousness, it depends on things like the sector, the financial security of the business, the strength/experience of their leadership teams, etc. Many businesses who were operating in 2009 are looking to tackle 2020’s pandemic and recovery in a similar way to the 2009 recession yet the economic fundamentals and potential V-shaped recovery could be very different. I think people are beginning to realise that and we have seen this reflected in candidate flow – more people are registering with us, looking for a new role and career path even when they have job security – the opposite to 2009.
- How have you found the past few weeks?
Challenging in the sense I have spent more time than ever working from home and doing so with a 5 year old who needs home-schooling and a 7 month old baby who needs a dad, hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park (although I have done a lot of that!). I think maintaining the balance of running a business, being present for your children, acting as a parent, school teacher and husband has been a hard juggling act and I am sure if you ask my wife she would say I am far from perfect!
From a business perspective the last 2 or 3 weeks have been the busiest since February.
- What are you now doing that you couldn’t when we were in full lockdown?
Not much really. I haven’t changed my routine massively. I have always exercised whether in lockdown or not. I run more these days as football is off the table. Perhaps the best thing since lockdown relaxed has been seeing more of my friends and having our kids play together – I think we all need a bit more of seeing other people and sharing war stories. It is good for the soul.
- During the pandemic, have you managed to find some positives?
Yes, absolutely. The biggest has been that I have spent 4 months at home with my daughter, Lucy. Not many people get the chance to spend so much time with their children at this age; it is 2 weeks paternity then back to it normally. I feel really lucky to have been given the chance to bond with her.
- What have you missed about being in an office environment?
Friendship, laughs, banter, other people’s points of view, structure, information sharing, perspective, an after-work pint, lunchtime runs on the docks or a game of squash, the general hustle and bustle. The list is endless. Yes, working from home has its benefits and many people suggest it may become a more permanent feature of working life, but I don’t think video calls and virtual meetings can make up for real-life interaction. Some businesses will capitalise on WFH and look to reduce office space and associated costs but businesses spend millions of pounds a year on building culture and ensuring people fit – I think that difficult to do consistently when you’re not in the same room never mind the same county (or country).
- Looking longer term, what do you think the biggest change will be to working life?
I think we have coped well so far. We have reacted quickly to the changes thrown at us and have planned proactively for the future. I feel well positioned to face whatever comes our way.
- When you are comfortable to, what is the first restaurant you’ll visit?
That will depend on finding a suitable babysitter! I am not really a foodie or a food snob. I am as happy with a Sunday roast at my local pub as I am fine dining. It is more about the people you share it with than the food itself.
