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Our Story

We are a friendly bunch who enjoy constantly pushing each other to improve, develop and ensure we delight our clients. Repeat business is one of our key objectives and around 75% of our revenue every year comes from repeat clients with 99% of all our clients returning at some point. Around a further 20% comes from our clients referring us to help their network recruit senior roles.

We have created a values-driven team that live to collaborate with one another and with our clients to solve recruitment problems.

We also insist on having fun along the way and that includes promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and having a family and pet friendly environment. Since being established in 2005, we have had no interest in transactional recruitment! Our Purpose is strong and it is focused on helping our clients to strengthen the foundations of their businesses so that they can accelerate their performance. We believe this can be achieved by partnering with clients and following the proactive, relentless and robust process that executive search brings.

By transactional we mean creating a job description and waiting for candidate CV's that align to it even if your target talent doesn't actually exist! We mean viewing recruitment as a black and white process when in fact you really need to use market intelligence or data to inform your decision(s). Imagine if you could attract a new employee who is even better than the one you originally set out to recruit!

Learn more about the team here

Our Values

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Accountability
We take individual and collective accountability for what we promise to deliver
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Integrity
We will always do the right thing
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Innovation
We are always looking for ways to improve
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Listening
We are listeners not sellers

Working with the right clients is critical to our success

We work hard to ensure that we work with like minded clients who want to collaborate with our team to solve their recruitment problems.

Without aligning at the outset we have found that success is difficult to achieve.

For us, success comes as a result of;

  • Collaboration – access to decision makers who want to invest their valuable time with us to solve their recruitment problems
  • Consultation – use live market intelligence data to make informed decisions
  • Commitment – agree and work to mile-stoned project objectives and not disappear at any point
  • Care – mutual respect for all parties
  • Transparency - be comfortable to be up front and honest with one another

 

Schedule a call with our Managing Director

Our strategy wheel demonstrates how we operate our business

strategy

Purpose

The core purpose is the emotional connection to a business – why you get out of bed in the morning, our reason for being; why Collingwood exist.

Vision

The vision is how we want the market to perceive us, and our ambition. This is the logical foil to the intrinsic, emotional purpose.

Measurement

This is how we know we’ve achieved our vision, our measure of success.

Strategic Foundations

Strategic activities detailing ‘what’ needs to be done to achieve our vision and measure. This will form the part of our change programme to align the business and get to where we want to be.

Values

How we consistently conduct ourselves when we carry out the ‘whats’ and work towards our vision and purpose.

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David's understanding of the security market and my requirements ensured I was able to very quickly and straightforwardly recruit some great individuals to my delivery team.

CEO,
Global Systems Integrator
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Since placing the candidates, I have gained feedback from all involved.  The result has not only been successful in terms of their individual performances but the three appointees regularly meet up to share best practice and guide each other.

It was not only a very rewarding set of assignments but I obtained added satisfaction from the fact that this new contact from Germany completely understood the importance of partnership in order to gain maximum return.  I cannot wait to work with her and, what is, a great client again.

Mark Goldsmith,
Senior Executive Search Consultant at Collingwood headhunting for German based Construction Products Group
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We have used Collingwood on a number of occasions over the years and have always been impressed with their understanding of our business and our needs. The outcome of that understanding is high quality candidates and ultimately, some excellent, long-term, employees. I can fully recommend them and would not hesitate to use them in the future

CEO,
Global Medical Devices Manufacturer
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David is a seasoned and senior global executive. With very strong business, sales, marketing, management and leadership acumen. I have worked with him on key projects where he’s always able to find the right person for the right role. I have high degree of confidence he can bring the people, resources, and experience needed to support our goals & objectives. I will continue to work with him and encourage anyone looking to grow and succeed to consider him as the right person to call on for the toughest challenges

CMO,
Global Cloud Infrastructure Organisation
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We have been partnering Collingwood Executive Search for over 6 years and have successfully recruited a UK Managing Director, a UK General Sales Manager, a Global Training Manager and a Regional Sales Director in Spain. They really understand the European Ophthalmic Industry and combined with their focus on understanding our company culture, they have simplified our recruitment process.

CEO,
Leading Ophthalmic manufacturer
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We have used Collingwood twice so far and both times have proved successful in identifying a quality recruitment for the role we were looking to fill; a Sales & Marketing Director and a Production Manager. I have no hesitation in recommending Collingwood and would use again.

Client,
Managing Director, Provider of SCADA and Command and Control Systems
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David is an excellent recruiter and his technical knowledge and expertise is enviable. He has a strong understanding on all the technical challenge on our team requirement, and he has helped through the entire recruiting process, and always go above and beyond his role for both the company and the candidate. David is diligent, his insight is on not only how to recruit, but who to recruit was a refreshing change from the norm. I found him to be smart, professional and effective, he is the type of recruiter you would give the most important recruitment assignment to, meanwhile he and his team could also support mass quantity when the business needs it.

I have the pleasure to work with David both as a candidate and as a company, I'm very impressed with his consistent delivery results. I truly believe his well established network within the tech-industry and all this combined makes him one of the best recruiters in the technical arena. I certainly recommend David for any companies out there, so as for any candidates.

Client, Director - Customer Innovation Center EMEA
Global Industrial Automation Company
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I've used the services of Collingwood on several occasions over a period of more than 10 years and have found in every case them to be exemplary in all aspects. Their attention to finding the right fit in search and selection is excellent as is their expertise in the provision of development tools in team development. I would have no hesitation in recommending them both professionally and personal.

Managing Director,
Leading Window Systems Provider
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I have worked with Doug and the team at Collingwood over several years, both as a hiring manager and as a candidate. On both sides of the recruitment process what stands out is the effort that the team put in to understand the business and its culture, find high quality candidates suited to the role, understand their aspirations and work to achieve a strong match. Their approach extends through all aspects of the recruitment process, from role definition through on-boarding and during the initial employment period, and has achieved great results.

Client and Candidate ,
Aircraft Manufacturer
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Doug is an enthusiastic person who will stretch himself to search the right person for our company and understands the business we are in. He delivers high quality of people within a very short time. He never loses sights our needs. It has always been a pleasure to work with Doug because he meets our expectations. I would recommend Doug to anyone who was serious about finding the right talent for their business.

Client,
HR Director, International Healthcare Organisation
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In a crowded marketplace, its not often that a recruitment specialist really stands out from the crowd. He is thorough, collaborative and very thoughtful in working alongside you in helping specifying the requirements for senior roles and producing excellent candidates. Always happy to take on board further comments and adapt his approach as needed to ensure the right hires are found and properly reviewed. High emotional intelligence and also an all-round nice guy and a pleasure to work with. I would have no reservations at all recommending Mark.

Head of Water, Client
Utilities Infrastructure
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Collingwood provided professional and personalised support and advice throughout the recruitment process combined with regular and open communication leading to my successful appointment. Collingwood are enthusiastic and knowledgeable and I would highly recommend their executive search and recruitment services to other individuals or organisations.

Director of Operations,
Look Ahead Care, Learning Disability Services
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David has provided some top talent for our team while avoiding lower quality deal flow. David listens and asks the right questions to map our challenges and needs into specific deal flow that reflects what we are searching for. We continue to work with David!

COO,
Cyber Security Solution Provider
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We have used Collingwood on a number of occasions over the years and have always been impressed with their understanding of our business and our needs. The outcome of that understanding is high quality candidates and ultimately, some excellent, long-term, employees. I can fully recommend them and would not hesitate to use them in the future.

Client,
Business Development Director - Respiratory
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I have worked with Justin for several years - initially when he placed me with my current organisation. The attention to detail during that period was second to none and the personal service incredible. Since then we have worked closely in the search and placement of roles within my teams. Working across multiple disciplines within the broadcast business, he is very well connected and knows the business inside out. If you are looking for a recommendation - Justin is most likely your man!

Client and Candidate,
Director of Tech, Healthcare Charity
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We have worked with Collingwood on several occasions over the past five years, having had meaningful conversations about what we were looking for, they were always ultra-professional in their dealings with us and they found some fabulous candidates which were all certainly credible. We would not hesitate to recommend them to other businesses

Managing Director,
Building Products & Construction
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We are very happy with our new MD for the UK. Mark monitored the process towards us as well as towards the candidates very carefully and made adjustments where necessary. We have never seen a process running so smoothly. As a group, we operate in various European countries, as well as the USA, Canada and South Africa. Fortunately for us, Collingwood also perform their activities outside the UK. A reliable, effective and pleasant recruitment partner, which we truly can recommend.

HR Director,
International Packaging Company
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I have worked with a Doug and his team on a number of occasions recruiting diverse Board level positions.

Doug ensures he understands his clients business and their specific needs and ultimately delivers on the brief, even when changes are needed.

He has helped me bring talent into our business that will help us step up for our next period of growth. Little wonder that repeat business is a huge part of his success. As a person he is incredibly humble and open which are traits that serve him well.

Managing Director, Client
Building Products & Construction - Fenestration
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I've worked with Doug and his team at Collingwood with two organisations now and I have to say the quality and delivery of the programmes was excellent. He really listened to what we needed and completely understood what we were looking to achieve. He and the team were able to deliver a bespoke programme that not only delivered results but also within our budget.

The programmes themselves were transformational, which is why I went to Collingwood again when I moved rolls. Personally I got a lot out of the executive coaching and l believe it has made me a better leader and more productive in my role.

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Collingwood and if you aren't sure if executive leadership development is for you, I would say thing again as it made such a difference to our business.

Leadership Consultancy Services , Director of Finance and HR
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Doug and the Collingwood team helped establish a strong and vibrant leadership group here. Finding talent is one thing but the resilience, questioning and value add means they work to get the best fit and solution not just the fee, quickly building trust. Working across function and broad geography have not been an issue - a pleasure to work with.

Client, Managing Director
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I have worked with a Doug and his team on a number of occasions recruiting diverse Board level positions.

Doug ensures he understands his clients business and their specific needs and ultimately delivers on the brief, even when changes are needed.

He has helped me bring talent into our business that will help us step up for our next period of growth. Little wonder that repeat business is a huge part of his success. As a person he is incredibly humble and open which are traits that serve him well.

Client, Managing Director
Built Environment, Fenestration
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Used both as a candidate and as a client. Professional in outlook and in engagement and of a size that enables them to understand the clients they work with.

Client,
Building Products & Construction
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It has been great to work with Doug and his team. They are very professional in understanding our needs and going out and finding that "right" person. We look forward to working with them again in the future.

Director,
Design & Engineering - MedTech
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As an HR professional, the relationship with outsourced recruitment teams is not always smooth.

However Doug and his team at Collingwood are professional, educated and honest, taking time to understand the needs of our business and sourcing credible candidates, who meet our requirements.

I would recommend Collingwood.

HR Director,
Aerospace
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I have worked with Doug and the team at Collingwood several times over the past 8-10 years. I return to them as they spend a lot of time and effort at the outset understanding the roles we are seeking to fill, the leaders they will work with and for and how the organisation operates. Collingwood are also very effective at delivering candidates of a high standard, avoiding wasted time.

HR Director,
Chemical Cleaning & Environmental Solutions
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I would have no hesitation in recommending Collingwood Search to any company looking to recruit senior personnel for their organisation.

Right from our first conversation, through the engagement process, finalising job specifications, reviewing potential candidates and so forth, Mark and Callum provided excellent input, with some great suggestions and were diligent and professional throughout.

The candidates taken forward to interview were all top quality individuals, who met the brief well and we had some difficult decisions to make when deciding on who to appoint to what role.

The bottom line is we wouldn’t have found the key people we needed for our businesses without Collingwood Search and their expertise.

Managing Director,
UK based Building Product Manufacturer - Housebuilder, Social Housing & RM&I markets
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Really impressed with Mark and the team at Collingwood, right balance of listening and probing - we were doing something a bit different and it worked. Great communication, pace met expectations and all done with a pleasant, friendly and professional approach. Looking forward to next time. Thank you!

Director of Talent & Relationships,
UK based contractor serving the social housing sector
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Mark shows fantastic candidate care throughout the recruitment process. Mark is a great interviewer; very engaging - he looks to get the best out of people and is keen to make sure the fit is right between candidate and client.

Very quick to respond to any messages/queries.

A pleasure to work with - I would recommend any candidate to trust Mark and his experience in helping them achieve their ambitions.

Contracts Manager (placed candidate),
UK based contractor serving the social housing sector
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I have had the pleasure of working with Doug and his team at Collingwood Executive Search for several years now. The team at Collingwood is exceptional! Doug and team partnered with me on many critical searches and several pipelining exercises. The team is exceptional at understanding the business, the culture and the nuanced details of each position. They also do a superb job of representing the client when approaching candidates, which in this competitive talent environment, is critical. Collingwood has done work for me in Europe and the United States with consistently positive results. I would not hesitate to recommend Doug and the team at Collingwood to anyone looking for a true partner in talent pipelining, sourcing, attraction and recruitment.

Client, Global VP HR and Talent Management