Candidate Testimonials
"My experience was exceptional from start to finish. I particularly valued Spencer's values and integrity in matching my needs with the needs of the client, Mars and my new employer. I have been head hunted for many roles in the past few years by quite a number of consultants. Lots of these roles were not right for me, but too often it was not the role but the failure of the consultant on making the connection between what was right for the me and my career vs their need to earn the next bonus. I never felt like this was the case with Spencer. His style is honest, helpful and definitely about building a long term relationship with both the me and the potential client. The biggest compliment I can pay him, is a recommendation to colleagues and for myself in the future."
Shaid Shah
Sales Director, Mars
"What stood out for me in dealing with John Wakeford was his focus to ensue that there was a real culture and personalty fit between myself and the organisation he was placing me in. This manifested itself in our initial meeting as being a relaxed and informal discussion on who I was and how I liked to operate. Knowing the company as intimately as he does meant I went into my first meeting with them already feeling it was the place for me and it is."
Robert Allen
International Personal Finance, Finance Director, Russia
"Hitchenor Wakeford is unique in that they "do their homework" before engaging a potential applicant. In working with other reputable Leeds-area agencies, I always had the impression I was being pushed into interviews I would not necessarily be interested in. Therefore, when Spencer Jinks contacted me, I was impressed that the opportunity he brought to me was a remarkable fit given my varied work experience. He was very easy to work with, and the best part is that he demonstrated a genuine interest in matching me to the right job. Six months on, I still stand by my choice and am delighted that I was able to make such a seamless transition into my new role."
Adriana Cune,
Brand Marketing Manager, Ultralase
"I was first approached by John a couple of years ago and was impressed by the fresh approach he and his team had developed at Hitchenor Wakeford. I was delighted to be able to work with him again this year securing the Commercial Director role at Ultralase.
I received expert guidance throughout and John was always on hand to chat through any queries and provide good quality feedback. Rachel dealt with the logistics of the process professionally and efficiently, allowing me to concentrate on my preparation.
Hitchenor Wakeford has a rare balance in this sector, being both highly professional but totally approachable. A business focused on delivering the right result for both client and candidate, which makes working with them effortless.
Jon Hughes
Commercial Director, Ultralase
"I found Hitchenor Wakeford a very proactive company; I thought they understood both my needs and fit in relation to the role. I would also add that Spencer Jinks clearly has a very good understanding and relationship with Umbro. I was contacted and kept up to speed as and when there were any changes/developments.
Overall, a very good and ultimately rewarding experience."
Julian Woolley
UK Sales Manager, Umbro
"Firstly, I enjoyed meeting all contacts at Hitchenor Wakeford on a personal level. It was very easy to go through the process with someone whom I genuinely enjoyed communicating with.
I was also very pleasantly surprised with the level of personal attention I received. Having gone through similar recruitment processes before, it is often only at the first meeting that you get to talk to one of the senior guys, yet I spoke directly to Spencer many times over the course of the whole recruitment. I was also pleased that even if there was no news, I got a periodic call to tell me what the status was, what the next steps were and why there were hold ups. It was refreshing to be contacted and informed rather than having to personally chase someone for an update.
Spencer's team were also spot on with all the arrangements and it was all in all, a very easy and painless experience."
Garry Fisher
Head of IT, Umbro
"I was impressed with Hitchenor Wakeford’s level of service and professionalism throughout the selection process. As a candidate it is imperative that the agency not only deeply understand my previous work experience but, more importantly, can relate to what I want to achieve from my career into the future.
Since John Wakeford is a Chartered Accountant and comes from a strong finance background, he was able to clearly match my experience and future plans on the first attempt. His strong knowledge of the Company’s strategy, organisation structure and culture had been developed from a long standing partnership with Provident Financial and their key people over the last decade.
John was also supported by a great team: both Rachel and Pascale were always available to follow up any query or provide a substantiated opinion on any matter that was raised during the selection process.
The selection process was long and arduous, but Hitchenor Wakeford guided me through the process in a seamless manner. I have no doubt that I shall be using their services on the Client side into the future.
It is with deference to these qualities that I wholeheartedly recommend Hitchenor Wakeford as a full service executive search consultancy."
Sami Mali
Business Development Executive, Czech Republic, IPF Holdings Limited
"Hitchenor Wakeford has worked with me over the last 6 years, placing me in my last 2 FD roles.
Since Joining Public Recruitment Group as FD I have subsequently assumed the PLC Chief Executive Role.
Hitchenor Wakeford appointed Nick Williams as my successor in 2004 and also 2 other senior finance professionals in my team. Hitchenor Wakeford delivers an open, expedient quality of service and I would happily recommend their services as either a client or candidate."
Darren McLaney
CEO Public Recruitment Group Plc
I have known Hitchenor Wakeford for many years and have always valued their thoughts and input - so when I received a call about the Umbro role I knew it would be a great opportunity.
The Hitchenor Wakeford team take the time to understand their candidates - their skill set, ambitions and interests which results in a strong match between candidate and firm. They are all extremely professional yet easy to work with, always available and honest in their assessments and discussions.
Trust is an important element of the recruitment process and I know I can trust Hitchenor Wakeford to take on board what I am looking for and to find a great opportunity. I look forward to working with them for many years to come.
Jonathan Hill
Head of Commercial Finance at Umbro
"I was headhunted by Hitchenor Wakeford for the role of Head of Human Resources at Maplin Electronics Group from my previous role as Group HR Business Partner at Warburtons Ltd, the leading quality bread manufacturer in the UK. From the initial approach to finally securing the position I found their approach friendly, professional and efficient. The new role is exciting as Maplin are undertaking a major expansion programme, opening 20 new stores in 2007. There is also the prospect of a potential stock market flotation sometime in the future. Hitchenor Wakeford fully understood my situation and career aspirations and I am pleased to say that the whole process was conducted with the utmost integrity and confidentiality throughout."
Steve Lynas
Head of HR, Maplin Electronics
"Hitchenor Wakeford were responsible for introducing me to Ashtead Plant Hire. From our first meeting onwards I was very impressed by their professional approach to the assignment. They had clearly spent time familiarising themselves with the Company, its market place, and its key players and I was particularly impressed by their evident determination to partner with the A-Plant senior team throughout the recruitment process. When we came to the offer stage Hitchenor Wakeford positioned themselves as genuine brokers between the Company and myself and handled the various discussions assiduously and diplomatically. I have very much enjoyed our association from a candidate perspective and I now look forward to developing our relationship from a client point of view."
Ken Palframan
HR Director, Ashtead Plant Hire
"I worked with Hitchenor Wakeford and I found them very attentive and professional in our dealings and they helped place me in a great role at the Bradford & Bingley. I would certainly look forward to working with them again in the future."
Andy Cooper
Head of Business MI, Bradford & Bingley