We caught up with our Central Belt HR interim and recruitment team for a Q&A session. Answering below we have Eilidh Robertson (ER), Head of HR Interim and Recruitment; Mike Leeman (ML), Senior Recruitment Advisor; and Jude Fletcher (JF), Recruitment Advisor.
Describe your role with Hunter Adams and the sort of thing you do each day.
ML: I’m both an internal recruiter for the Hunter Adams Consultancy and HR Interim team and also recruit directly for our clients for permanent and FTC roles. On both sides it’s about matching the best HR candidate to our client’s needs.
JF: I’m a Recruitment Advisor for the Mid Region (covering the Central Belt of Scotland), supporting clients with end to end recruitment. So from writing adverts and meeting candidates through to coordinating interviews and finalising offers. I am also continually speaking to candidates, building relationships and maintaining a healthy pipeline.
ER: Leading and developing the HR Interim & Recruitment Team across the UK, ensuring we have a pipeline of candidates and consultants to meet our client’s needs.
What sort of clients do you work with?
JF: We’re lucky to work with a broad range of clients in the Central Belt, from public and private sector organisations through to some well-known charities.
ER: All sorts, from SMEs to PLCs, social enterprises to large public sector bodies.
ML: Private sector, public sector, third sector. Companies with less than 10 people through to International organisations.
What sort of candidates are you typically looking to attract?
ER: The best HR and Recruitment talent at all levels.
ML: The best HR professionals who are looking for new and exciting challenges.
JF: Due to the fact that our clients are so varied there’s really no such thing as a ‘typical’ candidate. If you are driven and passionate about what you do then we want to meet you!
What would you say to an HR professional who hasn’t considered consulting before?
ML: From personal experience it is something that can seem daunting at first but is such a rewarding career opportunity and really shows you how much knowledge and expertise that you can bring to an organisation.
ER: Talk to us and we’ll share our experience!
JF: Whether you’re in the early stages or later on in your career, consulting allows you to dip your toe in a variety of organisations and sectors where you can gain experience, find out where your strengths lie and then build on them. There has been a shift in the way that people want to work, with less focus on a career within one organisation. It’s now seen as a positive thing to have gained broader experience across a wider market.
Tell us something that a potential client might not appreciate about HR interim support?
JF: As soon as a client requires additional support they can give us a call. We have a pipeline of the highest quality HR professionals available, making the turnaround a very quick process. These people are part of our team and offer the same level of quality in the work that they deliver. Not only that, they have the rest of the Hunter Adams team and back office tools at their disposal allowing them to hit the ground running and provide clients with the best support they can.
ML: Hunter Adams does not just find the person but the person is part of us as well so they can be assured that the interim has been interviewed thoroughly by the HR team here and also have the support of the full team here so can draw on practical and knowledge based solutions from our varied workforce.
ER: Our interims are supported by our vast back office of resources and senior HR leaders – you’re paying for one resource on site but have the support of many more.
What makes Hunter Adams different?
ER: We’re HR people hiring HR people with a real focus on business growth.
JF: Every employee is a shareholder which means we are all focused on the same goal – delivering quality work across all areas of the business to support growth.
ML: From a recruitment perspective we are not targeted, or commission based so offer impartial advice on the best solution. We are all experts in our area of Human Resources.
What’s the best thing about working for Hunter Adams?
ML: The people – everyone lives the values by being who they are.
JF: The people. Not only are they genuine and supportive – we also have a lot of laughs which makes it a great place to work.
ER: The shared values and culture we have, I’ve never worked with such genuinely lovely people.
And finally…
Where’s your favourite place in Central Scotland?
ML: I moved to Portobello in 2012 and would not want to live anywhere else. From the real community that thrives (Community space buyouts, Urban awards and a real active Community Council) to the chance to amble by a beach on sunny, hot days or blow the cobwebs away on chilly windy days. A great place to go out and play with my family or hunker down in one of the many pubs and restaurants with friends.
Away from home I’d have to say The Pillars of Hercules in Fife. A great place to camp, close enough to get to on a Friday and remote enough to feel you are completely miles from any weekday obligations.
JF: I love Loch Lomond. You can jump in the car and be there in a couple of hours, but it feels so remote and the scenery is stunning.
ER: I’m from Perth, I love it there and it was a brilliant place to grow up, however my heart belongs to Glasgow – for the culture, architecture, parks and pubs but mostly for the people.
