PLA - Professional Services Recruitment

A Year of Growth, Diversity, and Strategic Appointments

As we approach the end of the year, I’ve taken a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly busy and rewarding period. It’s hard to believe we are already in November! Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of working with a range of outstanding organisations across the VCSE, public sectors, and at the public-private interface, advising on and leading numerous Board and Executive appointments.

This year also provided an opportunity to re-engage with a sector I hadn’t worked in for a decade, bringing both diversity and fresh challenges to my work. In 2012, I relocated to the Cayman Islands to join CML Offshore Recruitment, where I led international legal appointments for offshore professional services firms—a significant shift from my background in Local Government recruitment.

This diverse experience, combined with my expertise in executive and interim recruitment, led to an exciting collaboration with Buckles Law, a national law firm experiencing rapid growth. Initially, I was engaged to identify a finance consultant to advise the firm’s Board on strategic growth and development. Following the successful appointment of an experienced CFO in an advisory capacity, who made an immediate impact, I was subsequently asked to recruit their new Finance Director.

While professional services recruitment might appear to diverge from my typical focus, the core principles remained the same: aligning candidates with the organisation’s culture and values. Buckles Law, rightly proud of its strong organisational culture, required a tailored search and selection strategy to attract candidates who not only possessed the requisite skills and expertise but also demonstrated the leadership qualities and cultural alignment essential for success.

The recruitment process was rigorous and comprehensive, incorporating a series of structured interviews, stakeholder discussions, and practical exercises. To further enhance the process, I engaged Talent Praxis to deliver psychometric assessments, providing valuable, data-driven insights into candidates' leadership styles, decision-making capabilities, and emotional intelligence.

The result was an outstanding appointment, and I am confident the new Finance Director will contribute significantly to Buckles Law’s continued growth and success.

Duncan Jackson, CEO of Buckles Law, commented:

"Anna was exceptional throughout the process. She took the time to truly understand the skill set we required. Initially, I believed we were looking for a unicorn, but Anna quickly presented several highly qualified candidates. We were fortunate to appoint the individual who was the best possible fit for our organisation."

Darryn Hedges, NED and Interim CFO, added:

"Anna approached me regarding a NED role within a law firm, which I commenced in late August. From start to finish, she was highly professional, engaging, and well-prepared. I was particularly impressed by her understanding of the professional services sector, despite it not being her primary area of expertise. I would recommend Anna without hesitation."

If your organisation is seeking support with senior board, executive, interim, or advisory appointments, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can work together.

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