Andy Preston’s Post

We are not always on LinkedIn shouting about what we do or how we do it, but sometimes a period goes your way. A hard but busy year so far, and the last few months have seen some outstanding projects completed,so we have happy clients, and a great list of projects continuing to run behind this list within the Medtech and Biotech teams. Yes, markets are challenging, but if you are a subject matter expert and passionate about what you do - the rest follows. Well done guys - outstanding work !

It's no surprise that Tom Herbert has beaten me to his anniversary message! I met Tom 6.5 years ago when I joined the Ignata group. Tom has been the glue in the business during this time and has never held back on telling me what he thinks (which I love......sometimes) He works tirelessly in his market, he has every email to hand, he is always there when I need him and he is smart, intelligent, great cook, all round sport almanac and well travelled friend. My first meeting was in a large meeting room in our old office - my first day and the team were dressed smartly. Tom looked very awkward in the meeting, it was warm, but it was more than that. The meeting closed where we talked about the culture I was wanting to build. Tom: Andy, Can I just stop your there, I've got dressed up today and I'm uncomfortable. We don't wear this, in fact I wear shorts 90% of the year. We are not wearing smart casual. So that was it....casual it was then! Tom...thank you for a great last 6 years and well done for the 10. Lots has changed during that time but you haven't !Let's hope there is 10 more. Andy

A massive thank you to Simon Hartley for the first of our World Class Mindset sessions. Taking what can seem like challenging subjects, simplifying and bringing them to life with some great tools. I know tomorrow we will all have a 'good day' and be focused on our 2 lengths of our pool! Looking forward to the next session! (Apologies for the terrible photo) #worldclassmindset #recruitmenttraining #focus #beworldclass #vida

We all draw 2023 to a close …..I love December (he says through gritted teeth) - a balance of forced socials, budgets and year end reporting whilst handling the usual spiral of decisions rolling into January. A grind !!   Let’s go back to Q1 – we all expected a step up from 2022, but it wasn’t to be. Investment tightened in some of our sectors, headcounts were cut and businesses adjusted after what seems like 2 years of growing. A reality check and kick up the arse!   We had to scrap, battle and be better than ever with clients and candidates - and we definitely won most of those battles but inevitably, you can’t fill them all.   Have we broken records ? Well most people only break their own ‘records’ and if I dig deep – yes we have, but I don’t need to shout about them, we just know we achieved a lot of what we set out to.   We haven’t grown in headcount by 2000%. We have recruited and got it right and got it wrong - we had to make some tough decisions on people we liked and trusted - but we are resilient and are stronger for it. We have improved, we have matured (year 3) and we have a tight core in the business that are foundations to build on to become a great business.   Plenty of mistakes in 2023……… but if you don’t try and use your gut feel, you’ll never get there (and I know others who feel the same)   We love what we do, and will be back in 2024 to continue to be an extension of our clients and support great people making great moves and break new ground. Thank you to all who have worked with us this year.   Enjoy a break, try Eggnog, don’t open your laptops, and on Linkedin….. don’t post on Christmas day (please) Best wishes to all Andy

FMCG recruiter needed ! One of my FMCG senior contacts is starting a recruitment business to service his business and wider FMCG network. They are looking for a proven senior Food /Drink recruiter to lead it, and become the MD - great role for anyone proven in the UK and Europe ! You don't need to be a Director level, just someone who can build a team and take hold of what is a brilliant opportunity. Surely someone on my network would be interested? Message me for further details.

This is a fantastic role within the start up Medtech space. Get in contact with Liz to talk if you know someone who can deliver this.

Great role for anyone in my FMCG network

This is great job for any TA or agency recruiter up north ! Cat is great to work with - any they get to be supported by great recruiters when needed !

I see flexible working talked about by a lot of businesses, but are they really flexible? Is an extra hour to go to the gym flexibility? Is time to go to the dentist flexible working? Not in my eyes. I have to admit - pre 2020 I was office based, working “office hours” and I loved it. It worked for me at the time and I don’t think I ever had to envisage why flexible working would, or could work. In 2020 we all adapted, I found myself at home which I didn’t fully enjoy for work, but realised that my life was becoming more complicated (kids getting older) and being flexible was totally needed for me and therefore all our employees. I have always tried to have the mantra of “you can’t be late for work” as we all need some flex in the mornings, but actually it’s not just mornings is it - it’s life. So how do I use the flexibility? I’m 45 and my kids (twin girls 10, and son 12) need my time. So, I drop them at school and some days pick them up, or I’m at home whenever they need me to be. I am the football taxi, and I have Ted. My dog. And Ted is like Velcro to me, so I walk him, get fresh air and thinking time. If Ruth needs to work late, or work away we make it work between us. The team around me at every level see this and enjoy the same freedom. Don’t get me wrong - I find myself working later into the evenings some days and often spend too much time on my phone and email but it’s my choice. I’m lucky, at VIDA Connected Specialists we’ve created a culture of mature, committed individuals who work hard and do what they need to do for us to be successful. We agree the boundaries, we stick to them and we trust that we’re all on it when we need to be. We communicate more - we’re on Slack/Teams/Zoom talking when we’re not physically with each other to react and offer support. The team are happy, enjoying life and enjoying work. That’s what flexible working looks like for me and the team. Ps. We’re hiring.