A Christmas letter from Suzie
As the year draws to a close, I have been reflecting on the highlights of 2021 and I want to share with you our plans for 2022.
This year has, without doubt, been the most active recruitment market that I have seen for a very long time. While Covid brought with it many commercial challenges, it forced companies with legacy organisational structures/technology infrastructure to reassess their appetite for investment in marketing, data, digital and tech and our tech-based clients continued to grow at a rapid rate. A combination of the two resulted in phenomenal levels of activity and a huge number of senior moves at Head of, Director and Chief of levels. It has been a real privilege to work with our clients throughout the year as they have been growing and investing in their senior leadership teams, and it is always incredibly rewarding to see the impact that these talented professionals have in their new corporations.
I predict these levels of growth and investment will continue through 2022 and beyond. We are seeing an increased number of marketing, data, digital and tech roles on Main Boards/at C-suite level and increased demand for specific roles, such as: Performance Marketing Director, Head of Business Intelligence, Chief Data Officer and Chief Technology Officer, in addition to core roles: Head of Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer.
We have invested heavily in our interim offer and believe it to now be unrivalled, delivering proven, highly experienced interim candidates – typically ‘in role’ within four weeks of being briefed. Not only can we offer the same levels of expertise and customer service as our permanent searches but we have a sophisticated platform, enabling us to process and pay interim candidates/contractors both inside and outside of IR35. The interim route offers companies huge flexibility, whether that’s the ability to appoint a senior hire to assess, review and implement key changes to structure/infrastructure and the strategy or simply to support the existing team in times of significant growth.
I would like to say a big thank you to our team, which has expanded this year. We are now a team of eight, with two highly experienced Executive Coaches and a super Marketing Manager, joining our existing team of Consultants and Researchers. Without such an amazing team, none of this would be possible. It has been a challenging time for many on a personal level, from being apart from or losing loved ones to juggling the demands of home-schooling and work; you have shown immense patience, resilience and positivity throughout.
My final thanks go to our amazing candidates and clients. I am most grateful to you for your continued support, your loyalty and your trust in us. I can promise you that we will continue to work hard for you and your corporations, to always give honest and constructive advice and find you not just the best talent in the market but the talented professionals who will be the best fit for the culture of your organisation.
And now, as thoughts turn to Christmas, the temperature has plummeted, it is ‘11 sleeps until Santa’ and it is likely that Elton and Ed will secure the title of Christmas number one.
So, wherever you may be spending Christmas this year, whether you are off to sunny (or snowy) climates or, like me, at home with friends and family, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and may 2022 bring you good health, happiness and great success.
MD & Founder
This Christmas, we are delighted to make a donation to upReach who work to create the conditions for undergraduates from less-advantaged backgrounds to access and sustain top graduate jobs. For details on how you can support less-advantaged graduates in your organisation, please visit upreach.org.uk
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing, data, digital and tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
