Celebrating 10 years at Inspired Selection

Top Ten highlights of my first Ten Years at Inspired Selection – Abigail Barclay

This year, I am celebrating my ten-year anniversary at Inspired Selection. So much has changed for everyone over this period but I’m lucky enough to have a job that I love as a constant. In honour of this, I wanted to take the opportunity to look back at my top ten highlights of the decade and share them with you…. In no particular order, drum roll please!

1.??????Launching Inspired Search: In 2017, I spearheaded the launch of our Executive Search offering as part of my promotion from Associate Director to Search Director. Seeing an opportunity in the market for a service which carried both the niche publishing knowledge and research-led methodology to work with a broader and more inclusive talent pool, I led the launch of Inspired Search to partner with publishers looking to hire senior, c-suite and NED profiles. It has been an amazing journey and thanks to the support from the wider Inspired business and incredible partnerships with existing publishers and new ones, it continues to grow as a hugely successful part of our business. ?

2.??????Knowledge sharing and speaker opportunities: I’ve always found that I headhunt and recruit better for my clients and candidates when I know more about the industry. It sounds obvious but really pushing myself to learn and engage with industry trends and conversations has pushed me to be better at my job and to listen better. From chairing a panel in London Book Fair’s People Development seminar stream on skills, talking on a podcast for the IPG on HR issues, speaking as a panellist for the SYP on diversity and blogging across industry titles - including our own website - on recruitment practises, I’ve taken so much from each opportunity and each individual with whom I’ve collaborated.

3.??????My first ever promotion: “Mum, I’ve been promoted!”. I distinctly remember walking along Borough High Street on a lunch break and phoning my mum to share the good news. I was over the moon! Going from Consultant to Managing Consultant was a big step for me and I was beyond excited. I had, and continue to have, amazing support and training (internal and external) to be successful at work and have always been so appreciative of the faith that the business puts in me.

4.??????The Team: Where to begin! If you’ve ever wondered what the phrase Dream Team means, look no further than the Inspired Team. I’m honestly blown away by each and every one of them. It’s like working with a live dictionary for publishing recruitment – their knowledge and networks are amazing. And like working with your very own cheer squad also! Empowering, supportive and clever. Just wonderful.

5.??????Publishing White Papers: Fairly academic at heart, I’ve always loved research and this was my background prior to Inspired. MD Suzy Astbury has been so supportive of this and I’ve loved working with her to bring this into my current role. Alongside headhunting, I’ve researched, written and published white papers on a range of topics, including: hiring executives from other industries, succession planning, and managing returns to work. I’m so proud to be able to share the insights and findings with our clients.

6.??????Awards: Who wouldn’t love to work for an award winning company! We’ve won awards both locally at the Southwark Business Awards (cross-industry) and within the recruitment industry at the IRP awards for being the best small business and the best business to work for. To have that recognition, even when you know it yourself, means the world. Every team member has worked hard to make Inspired an inspiring place and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate that.

7.??????First ever placement: Every recruiter remembers their first ever placement; it’s such a reassuring and proud feeling. Mine was particularly memorable as I was thrown into a panic when the client called not knowing where the candidate was on their first day! My first reaction was to call the police (curbed sensibly by the team!) and luckily they were located, cracking on happily in a meeting getting stuck in on day one. Crisis well and truly averted.

8.??????Frankfurt Book Fair: I think I might be the only one in the industry who feels this way, but I absolutely love Frankfurt Book Fair! Anyone with me?!?I love the buzz in the halls, the amount of productive and insightful conversations you can achieve across the few days and just seeing everyone in the same place, with time to focus on meaningful and strategic discussions. As a vegetarian, the food leaves a little to be desired but nothing’s perfect! Hope to see you all there in October!

9.??????Communities: Inspired Selection is a little community in itself but I get so much out of being part of other communities within the industry. As you can tell, I love the Book Fairs for that reason but over the years I’ve also enjoyed getting to know groups and their take on the industry through communities like the IPG, ALPSP, BIC, UKSG, the SYP, BookMachine, Byte The Book, Book Aid events, the Nibbies… to name a few. Speaking on podcasts and being part of the diversity working group within the IPG, for example, has been a fantastic way to take my head out of the day job and work with others on the bigger picture level.

10.??Evolution of the industry: There is always change in the publishing industry of course, but having front row seats to the show over the last decade has been truly inspiring. The digital innovations, the changes in flexible working, the D&I initiatives, not to mention the incredible storytelling that each publisher is creating has been a marvel to be a part of.

And that’s just my first ten years…. What’s next?!

To get in touch about executive search and headhunting, or indeed anything else that has sparked interest in this blog, please feel free to contact me on:

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020 3668 6727