Client Testimonials
I have recently found it increasingly difficult to fill senior positions in my organisation. Once I began to work with the Collingwood health team my confidence increased significantly. The team are extremely thorough and spent time to understand myself and my business in order to really make a valuable contribution to the recruitment process. They are all very professional and discreet which is extremely important to me. I felt that the team kept me up to date with what was happening and was very encouraged by the reach the team have in terms of potential candidates.
I have enjoyed working with the team and they have filled every post I have asked for with exceptional people and they are very reliable people to work with. Collingwood have shown an inherent ability to guide you through a process in order to lead the process to a satisfactory conclusion. They also stay close to the candidates through the process which keeps them engaged and enthusiastic. Collingwood would be my team of choice in the future.
Sue Warburton, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services
We retained Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd to recruit for Finance Director/Company Secretary. Being a member of the Executive Management team it was important to find a high calibre candidate who could provide leadership and strategic thinking as well as controlling and managing the Company's finances and financial strategy. Instead of using a database of CV's Collingwood invested their time and expertise to search the market and provided an excellent shortlist which matched our brief. This resulted in a high quality individual being appointed in the role, we would work with them again and recommend them to others.
Joanne Morton, HR Director, RIBA Enterprises Ltd
We have been partnering Collingwood Search for the last 12 months and have successfully recruited 3 Country/Sales Managers within Europe. These positions were fundamental for the future growth of our business, instead of using a database of CV's Collingwood invested their time and expertise to provide a high calibre shortlist which matched our brief. Despite our ambitious requirements, their knowledge of our business, our culture and the furniture market led to numerous successful appointments. We continue to work with them and I certainly would recommend them to others.
Larry Chan, Board of Directors, Coe Ltd
We needed to replace a qualified medical device auditor that was critical to our growth plans, however the normal recruiting processes we used did not find us the required calibre of candidate due to the high level of technical expertise required. We then brought in Collingwood to give us a more targeted approach, Collingwood then proceeded to use our job prospectus to draw up a short list of suitable candidates. From this shortlist we found a candidate who met our high technical requirements and who has now joined our medical devices team. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Collingwood for any specialist, technical or senior level recruitment.
Kevin Butcher, Medical Devices Operations Manager, SGS United Kingdom Ltd
We have been partnering Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd for over 6 years and have successfully recruited a UK Managing Director, a UK Sales Manager and a Sales Manager, Spain and Portugal. They really understand the European Ophthalmic Industry and combined with their focus on understanding our company culture, they have simplified our recruitment process.
Sasja Luijk, HR Manager, DORC
Due to the planned retirement of our CEO, STG Aerospace needed to recruit a high calibre successor. The main objectives of the CEO role are two-fold, keep the company on its current successful path and execute plans for innovation and business growth. We required someone with industry gravitas and global OEM contacts but also an individual who would fit culturally into an SME organisation. The Headhunters at Collingwood conducted a thorough search of the industry and presented a shortlist that gave us a number of options. From that shortlist we successfully appointed a CEO, who is currently integrating well into the business.
Iain Rae, Director, STG Aerospace
Implementing an aggressive growth strategy for the Group, Collingwood were tasked with recruiting a Managing Director for our recently acquired French manufacturing plant. This enabled us to move our business in to the future and drive production to meet our new demands. Collingwood invested time at our French plant and assisted us with candidate interviews to ensure that we gained the best result. The time invested clearly paid dividends with the successful appointment of a high calibre candidate that would enable us to prepare our business for future success.
Derek McClelland, Chief Commercial Officer, Comrod ASA
We retained Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd to recruit a Senior Sales Executive which was fundamental for the future of our business. Instead of using a database of CV's Collingwood invested their time and expertise to provide a high calibre shortlist which matched our brief. This has led to the successful placement of a candidate who not only fits into the culture of our company, but who will help drive our business forward.
David Hartley, Managing Director, Hartley Wadsworth and Partners
I have been dealing with Collingwood's health team for nearly a year now and I have been impressed with the service and support they have provided for me. They are very attentive and tenacious and I have been impressed with their willingness to develop an understanding of what we are doing and what is happening within the Trust and the directorate that I am working. This obviously bodes well for future work with the trust, but it is also obvious that he does this across the healthcare sector as he has provided me with insight into what is going on elsewhere both nationally and regionally.
It is refreshing to deal with an organisation who are genuinely interested in building relationships and not just body shopping resource and the way they approach each assignment is based around quality, understanding and acting with honesty and integrity throughout the whole process.
My experience of Collingwood has been a positive one and the reason I look forward to a long, fruitful relationship with Collingwood.
Turnaround Director, South East based Mental Health Trust
I wish to formally express my thanks to Collingwood for responding to our needs so professionally over the last six months, firstly with placing the Head of Quality role and now with the 3 roles within the quality team including a Clinical Governance Manager, Head of Risk and Head of Infection Control. We are seeking to create a focused and dedicated quality function, but had struggled to find appropriate and skilled candidates until we came into contact with Collingwood. I would also add that you personally have ensured the interview process of taking the candidates was smooth and very easy, and have regularly kept in touch since to ensure that I remain content with performance and delivery. This is not always the case with agencies, and I thank you for doing so.
It is as a direct result of your quality of service when sourcing the first role that we came back to Collingwood for the other 3 positions.I am looking forward to working with the new candidates, and am confident that performance will be good and their impact with the PCT will be a positive one.
Quality Director, North West PCT
I have been a client of Collingwood health team for approximately a year and during that time they have shown themselves to be a very professional and trustworthy organisation with whom I have enjoyed working and who has supplied me with some outstanding candidates.
Collingwood have an excellent ability to interpret my requests and relay it back to me in a more precise way which has undoubtedly helped the PCT in the past with selecting the right candidate for the job. (I am sure this has inherently ensured the candidates we have had are also happy in their new role.) This has been magnified by Collingwood's excellent knowledge of the NHS and recent national policy drivers which always helps in articulating a job need and the skills required for it.
They are always honest, have a helpful manner when talking to clients either on the phone or face-to-face and have the ability to relate to a range of people when we met with them at the PCT.
My initial impression of Collingwood was of an organisation who is able to listen to their client's needs and translate that into a solution which could help me. This remains the case. At no time have I ever felt they have been "pushy" nor have they ever badgered me for more placements. This is a rare skill and one I wish other companies would instill in their consultants.
Director of Performance, Midlands PCT
I have known and worked with Collingwood for approximately 1 year. Of the various consultancies with which I approached Collingwood were the only ones who took the time and trouble to come and meet with me.
During our meetings I consistently felt confident in Collingwood because they demonstrated a genuine up-to-date understanding of the NHS and healthcare developments, and a thorough knowledge of the requirements of NHS employers. I felt in discussion that they were listening carefully to my wishes and requirements, and that they then made every effort to match my requirements with a suitable candidate.
I outlined some very specific requirements which would be desirable in my ideal candidate, including both their previous work experience, the type of organisation that they had worked for and the right personality match.
Collingwood were tenacious and energetic in securing the right candidate for the role, and were extremely encouraging and supportive throughout the process, including providing me with detailed information about the candidates prior to the interviews.
The candidates identified were a very good match and we offered the role to one of Collingwood's candidates. I would not hesitate in using the services of Collingwood in future, as either service provider or client.
Operational Director, Medical Directorate Midlands NHS Foundation Trust
We approached Collingwood Search and Selection to assist us in our restructure and expansion. Being a small family owned business we were conscious that we needed to find candidates that would fit into our unique culture as well as have the right skills and experience to help us move forward in our rapid expansion plan. We found Collingwood's experience at understanding a small business culture invaluable and we were impressed with their knowledge of the skills we were targeting. We were initially looking for a production director with experience of a LEAN environment within a bluechip company but able to implement this in a small, traditional industry. We were provided with four candidates all with experience of dealing with this in their careers. Collingwood have also delivered a Sales Executive with knowledge and contacts within the agricultural industry. We found Collingwood to be meticulous in their research on both assignments and were able to target candidates who were an exact fit, both in their skills and experience but also their knowledge of our business and the culture of the industry. They have also been able to talk knowledgeably about the candidates they have shortlisted and the personality profiling they have conducted has been invaluable in making our decision. In short Collingwood have proved to be an excellent recruitment partner, their knowledge of the agricultural industry and culture has been excellent, we would recommend them to our peers in the business.
Peter Holmes, Managing Director, HK Timbers
I have partnered Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd to recruit several key roles in our Technical Department during the last 5 years. The Technical Department is the lifeblood of our Consumer Products business, vacancies are business critical and need to be filled successfully first time. Instead of providing CV's from a Candidate Database Collingwood have invested time to learn about my business before Headhunting
individuals with the sought experience and who will fit in culturally to our fast paced, entrepreneurial business.
Richard Shonn, Managing Director, 151 Products Ltd
After the development of a new range of marine products we approached Collingwood to help us launch the product to market with the recruitment of a Sales and Marketing Manager. Tasked with a difficult brief for a company working in a specialist field, Collingwood successfully sourced a shortlist of candidates from within the marine market. Their attention to detail and acquired market intelligence lead to the successful appointment of a candidate that not only met the brief but culturally fitted our business.
Alan Wrigley, Managing Director, Ocean Signal
We have found Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd to be genuinely interested in developing a successful and effective relationship with us and in the provision of a recruitment service integrated with our business strategy. We are impressed by his ability to tailor the recruitment approach to the requirements of each specific appointment, his consistently high level of personal service and capacity for generating excellent candidate shortlists.
Keith Mothersdale, Chief Technical Officer, Technetix Group
I engaged Collingwood Search to assist in the recruitment of a Business Manager, specifically to focus on the on-board electronics division of our business. This is a fairly niche area , which was one of the challenges of the assignment.
The Consultant at Collingwood delivered a high calibre short-list along with providing research details and current market intelligence, resulting in a high quality individual being appointed in the role.
I would retain Collingwood's services again for Faiveley Transport and recommend them to others within my network.
Ellen Smith, Human Resources Manager, Faiveley Transport UK
Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd successfully Headhunted a Regional Sales Director in Germany for Ubee. We chose Collingwood due to their 10 years' experience in the Cable TV and Telecoms Industry and the track record they have recruiting Sales and Marketing professionals across Europe. I was delighted with the result and would highly recommend Collingwood to any business who needs a professional and ethical headhunter.
Ben Huang, VP Europe, Ubee Interactive
We created a new role for a General Manager that was critical to our growth plans and established a relationship with a Database Recruitment Agency to identify candidates. Unfortunately this route proved unsuccessful so we decided to adopt a more targeted approach and partnered Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd to undertake a bespoke Headhunt into the Medical Filtration Industry. A high quality candidate shortlist of 4 was delivered within 4 weeks and a very strong individual was appointed. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Collingwood for any specialist or senior level recruitment.
Andrew Steel, Chief Executive, Howorth Air Technology Group Ltd
To support the rapid growth of our business, we created a number of junior and senior Supply Chain roles and wanted to identify high calibre candidates from our industry. We had only used database agencies before and decided to we needed a more targeted "Headhunt" approach. Despite a very specific and difficult brief, Collingwood delivered the assignments successfully. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to any business seeking a true recruitment partner.
Chris Claydon-Butler, Managing Director, Simon Jersey Ltd
Armed with an aggressive growth strategy for the UK we created the need for a UK Sales Manager. Having invested time to research and interview a number of Recruitment Consultancies, we decided to partner Collingwood to Headhunt the role. Collingwood invested time with us at our German Head Office to fully understand the role, the type of candidate sought and the culture and strategy of our business. The time they invested clearly paid dividends as their Candidate Shortlist provided us a number of options. The result was the recruitment of a UK Sales Manager and a Territory Manager. We look forward to working with Collingwood again for our future recruitment requirements.
Heiko Niedenzu, Group Sales Director, Nolte Moebel GmbH Co. KG
We were looking to launch a new business in the recycled paper export market and required a Purchasing Manager who understood the UK market. Collingwood understood our challenging candidate specification and presented a high quality shortlist within agreed timescales. As a result of Collingwood's headhunt we recruited an individual enabling us to launch and develop the business successfully.
Ellen He, Director, Men Shun Recycling Ltd.
Due to our ambitious growth plans for the UK, Au'some required a direct sales team to be recruited. We retained Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd to recruit a General Sales Manager who would fit culturally and who had a proven track record within the UK confectionery sector. They delivered an excellent shortlist within pre-defined time-scales and we were delighted with the result.
Tony Gibbons, General Sales Manager, Au'some UK Ltd
I have been tasked with recruiting a new team of Product Marketing Managers for EMEA. It has been difficult to find individuals with the right skill set and cultural fit, nevertheless, Collingwood's determination and headhunting expertise has reaped rewards.
Colin Schroder, Product Portfolio Manager EMEA, Belden
Presspart previously partnered Collingwood to recruit key Sales and Quality Management positions and so we were keen to use their knowledge of our business, culture and the medical devices industry again. We created a new role for a Marketing Manager which they successfully filled within agreed time-scales.
Julian Hemy, Director - Global Sales, Presspart
My company Altomed Ltd, a leading UK supplier of ophthalmic surgical products, needed to find a Territory Manager for the North West of England & Wales area in order to expand our field sales force.
We needed to identify the right candidate within a fairly tight timescale. Selling experience within the ophthalmic medical industry was essential. A good fit in terms of company culture and relating to other key people within the firm was also important.
After several detailed and professionally conducted briefings Collingwood Search and Selection began work to find suitable candidates. A suitable candidate was found and after the interview process we appointed the new Territory Manager within 2 months of briefing Collingwood.
I can recommend Collingwood Search and Selection to anyone who requires professional help with the recruitment of key sales or marketing personnel.
Peter Myers, Managing Director, Altomed Ltd
We have used Collingwood Search & Selection Ltd to recruit key positions for us in sales and marketing during the last 6 years. Despite our ambitious requirements, their knowledge of our business, our culture and the consumer products market has led to numerous successful appointments. We use Collingwood, confident that their candidate shortlists contain individuals who meet our skills and cultural requirements and of individuals who know exactly who we are and are keen to join us. Collingwood's proactive services add value and critically save our management a lot of time.
Roger Murie, Commercial Director, James Briggs ITW
Having previously utilised our own resources for senior level recruitment with mixed levels of success, as Managing Director of Eurocraft Enclosures I decided that from this point on I would entrust our requirements for key placements to experts in search and selection.
Along with my colleagues and co-owners of the business we identified Collingwood search & selection as an ideal partner to work with us, in initially filling a strategic Operations Manager vacancy.
Our experience showed that Collingwood thoroughly understood what we were looking for, and whilst the technical and core competency match for the role was established and formed part of the search criteria, of equal importance was the "culture and personality fit" of the potential candidates to our existing team.
The Collingwood search team spent time exploring our values and team dynamics and then using a variety of tools deployed a "focused search" that pulled together a short list of candidates for our review.
Suffice is to say that we had a final shortlist of three candidates and we would have employed all three if it were possible, such was the match to our requirements.
Kevin O'Toole, Managing Director, Eurocraft Enclosures Ltd
Collingwood ran an excellent search process for us recently despite a relatively difficult and unusual remit. They showed an excellent ability to listen carefully to our requirements and delivered a good shortlist of strong candidates within an agreed timescale, allowing us to find the right person with the minimum drain on our limited management time. I would certainly not hesitate to use them again or recommend them to others.
Colin Gibson, CEO, Landround plc
We have found Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd to be genuinely interested in developing a successful and effective relationship with us and in the provision of a recruitment service integrated with our business strategy. We are impressed by his ability to tailor the recruitment approach to the requirements of each specific appointment, his consistently high level of personal service and capacity for generating excellent candidate shortlists.
Keith Mothersdale, Chief Technical Officer, Technetix Group
I have worked with Collingwood Search and Selection Limited on a number of challenging UK and International assignments. Despite the prospect of finding needles in haystacks to meet our needs, Collingwood's knowledge of the market, determination and pro-activity have produced the required results. His approach is refreshing and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending him as a recruitment partner.
Howard Whitby, Research and Development Director, Honeywell CPG
We found Collingwood Search and Selection Limited easy to deal with. They delivered a high calibre candidate shortlist when they said they would.
Rebecca Galvin, HR Manager EMEA Sales & Marketing, Belden
We chose to work with Collingwood Search and Selection to help us complete our first ever round of recruitment. After interviewing 6 recruitment companies we chose to work with Collingwood Search and Selection because we felt that their industry knowledge and understanding of our business needs was second to none. From the outset Collingwood have provided an outstanding service in which 3 extremely high calibre candidates were identified for short list, and two of whom now work for Optimumfx. Throughout the process they kept us fully up to date and informed on progress versus our deadlines. We will most certainly be giving Collingwood a call when we next look to grow our business.
Ian Rowledge, Managing Director, Optimumfx Ltd
