Expert recruitment helped build a team from the ground up

Spring Innovation helps innovators solve the most pressing challenges in the UK and Ireland water industry. By acting as the industry's eyes and ears, it identifies where innovation is most needed, shares insights from hundreds of projects, and connects those with problems to those with solutions.

The brief

In 2020, UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) founded Spring Innovation to address critical innovation needs within the water sector. To kickstart this ambitious project, it turned to the recruitment team at the HR Dept to fill the foundational role of Managing Director.

Drawing on an existing relationship, UKWIR trusted the HR Dept's skills and expertise to manage this key appointment. With the right leader in place, Spring Innovation would reach a crucial milestone in its mission to drive progress and collaboration across the water industry.

The solution

We took a multi-pronged approach to promoting the vacancy, using both our internal recruitment systems and external job sites that cater to the water industry and the third sector. We played a key role in the recruitment process, helping to design the entire workflow. This included developing all the initial screening documents and crafting a set of ‘soft skills’ questions to be used during interviews, ensuring a balanced assessment of both technical and interpersonal abilities.

From a shortlist of exceptional candidates, Carly Jane Perry was appointed. After a positive experience with the HR Dept, Carly then enlisted us to help build her team.

Using our proven recruitment process, we began the search for a programme manager. We advertised the position on specialist job boards and through our internal recruitment system. We then assessed each candidate and supported the first round of interviews.

From a strong field of 20 applicants, Ben Hatfield-Wright was appointed. He has gone on to become Spring Innovation’s Head of Operations.

We've since worked closely with Ben to help Spring Innovation recruit its entire team, adapting our process for each position. This has included hiring delivery managers, business development managers, project managers, the communications and marketing team, and innovation managers. Because the team works remotely, we were able to conduct a nationwide search. On one occasion, the candidates we presented were so strong that Spring Innovation hired two people, instead of one.

The outcome

Now at a headcount of 11, we continue to provide recruitment support for this growing non-profit organisation, thanks to the strong relationship we have built. We are involved in the entire recruitment process, from helping draft job descriptions, through the interview process, through to reference checking.

Head of Operations Ben Hatfield-Wright said:

“My first experience with the HR Dept was as a candidate myself when Spring Innovation was just starting out. I found Geri to be incredibly professional. When I joined the team, my role included resourcing, so I immediately partnered with Geri and Laura to outline the job roles we needed and build our new team.

“Because of their due diligence, professionalism, and awareness of the job market, they have been able to advise me in the first instance when I have created a role, helped adapt our search strategy to attract the right candidates, and – as we learn through the process – work with me to finesse the process from candidate to candidate. 

“They are helpful, adaptable, work in a slick, timely and efficient manner, and their service has been exemplary. I now have an excellent team, taking on candidates who have been successful in their roles, which is critical in a small businesses. The HR Dept understands the business, our team dynamic, and whether a candidate will be a good fit. Importantly, our account has been managed by the same people, and this consistency and their depth of knowledge has been a considerable factor in our success.”

If you are looking for a recruitment partner, to build a team for your new or growing enterprise, please get in touch with the Agile Recruitment division at HR Dept.