A North East based Recruitment Expert that innovative SMEs now rely on to expand and grow sustainably, has turned to The Experience Bank™ to help with their own growth.
Venture Ten is the brainchild of Dan Fenwick and Kimberley Leech, based on their belief that recruitment could be done differently and better. Dan said: “We looked at the market and quickly realised that noone had their needs being met. Companies find recruitment time consuming and the right people hard to find, recruiters spend a lot of time that isn’t profitable and recruitees often feel like just a number and a CV that gets thrown around.
“Using my background in cultural change management, we have developed a professionally project-managed Talent Partner model that creates the right results within relationships build on trust and with longevity. We aren’t in it to place one candidate, but to help organisations find and keep the right talent at every point of their growth and own development.”
As this approach started to bear fruit, the pair realised their business was going to grow quickly, and that would need help, advice and support on their own journey. As well as partnering with a Canadian company using their methodology in defining culture and candidate behaviours, the pair expanding into facility management following a request from a client, employed an executive assistant Emma and most recently reached out to Peter Neal at The Experience Bank™.
The Experience Bank™ is a philanthropic offering from Experience Bank Group. Through it, Peter offers qualifying start up and small companies, that are primed for growth, access to a carefully curated bank of over 100 leaders from the region who offer up time and experience pro-bono for an agreed period of time. This often leads to long term relationships, helping business in the region flourish and thrive.
Peter said: “What I loved about Venture 10 was the energy and drive of Dan and Kimberley. They do not stand still, and they are not afraid to flex into other offerings, including recently launching a garden maintenance arm. They are, however, focused on their core offering of recruitment, understanding that people and culture is growing in importance and is their way forward to growth. It was with that in mind that they approached me, as they appreciated they needed a board advisors with significant, strategic experience of HR and recruitment to challenge and support them.”
The process through The Experience Bank™ resulted in John McConnell coming onboard, bringing with him over 20 years’ experience in getting people culture right. He has a passion for the region and has also spent a chunk of time recently in property.
Stephen Paul has also come onboard using his consultancy back ground to focus Dan on his leadership development.
Dan said: “It is great to have John and Stephen helping us and sharing our vision for the future of Venture 10. They believe like we do that the people ingredient is the most important. It is a breath of fresh air to meet like-minded people and Peter got it just right. Peter’s process was very focussed, with a clear brief, quick turnaround and he presented candidates that were a perfect marriage of skills in John and Stephen.
“I would totally recommend The Experience Bank™ to anyone who is focused on the future of their business. The biggest blocker in any organisation is the leader themselves. Just by having confidantes and people to mentally spar with you will become more innovative, more diverse and more practical – all of which can only be positive.”
You can find out more about The Experience Bank™ on theexperiencebank.co.uk/socialenterprise