HW Global Talent Partner Adds Finance Director to Fuel Growth

December 10, 2019 – U.K.-based executive search firm HW Global Talent Partner has named Rob Pettican as its new finance director at a time in which the firm is targeting rapid growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions. In a new position created to support the planned expansion of the group, he will be accountable for the firm’s finances.
Mr. Pettican has been a chartered accountant with KPMG, where he gained exposure to a broad range of clients including large PLCs, high profile sports teams and private equity backed businesses across a range of sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, tourism and retail. He also brings significant M&A experience, having worked on a number of cross-border deals on both the buy and sell side in the U.K., the U.S., Central Europe and the Middle East.
“In an excellent year for HW Global which has seen revenues grow by more than 30 percent, it has been equally busy on the internal recruitment front,” said Spencer Jinks, CEO of HW Global Talent Partner. “We are delighted to welcome Rob to the board, in a key appointment to support our growth plans.”
In a busy period for recruitment, HW has also announced the appointment of new principal researchers Mike Langford, Anna Sharrott and Harry Spetch, and customer relationship managers Laura Rushton and Marketa Simova. Meanwhile, principal researcher Jake Slater has joined the interim practice from the executive search division to support its consumer clients.
“Following the acquisition of U.K. digital recruitment agency Zebra People in May, we are currently involved in discussions with other potential M&A targets and Rob’s extensive experience in cross-border deals on both the buy and sell side will be invaluable,” Mr. Jinks said. “He joins Mike, Anna, Harry, Laura and Marketa, who bring a wide range of experience in executive search and financial services, as new members of our fast growing team at such an exciting time for us.”
Growing Search Firm
HW Global, which has a £20 million turnover and employs 50 staff based in London, Leeds and Manchester, currently operates on an exclusive and retained basis in the £120K-plus search market, also placing interims on daily rates from £700 to £2,000. The Zebra People acquisition has enabled HW Global to offer a comprehensive digital talent service to its clients, with HW Global appointing senior digital leaders and the Zebra People team building the critical capability that sits underneath.
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“HW Global and Zebra People complement each other in so many ways and once we were introduced to Nick Cochrane and his team there was an instant meeting of minds, with the huge mutual benefit of our combined expertise obvious,” said Mr. Jinks. “Zebra People has a fantastic reputation for building diverse high caliber digital and UX teams, whilst sharing a desire to provide exceptional service to both clients and candidates alike. The partnership provides a fantastic platform to share expertise, whilst accelerating careers and skill-set and attracting new talent to underpin our ambitious growth plans.”
HW Global’s medium term business strategy envisages substantial growth by acquiring leading human capital organizations operating in its key market sectors of consumer and financial services, at the tier below executive level. “Other potential acquisition targets include recruitment agencies specializing in finance, HR, technology and professional interim,” the firm said.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media