Transformation has proved to be a particularly appropriate theme for the 2020 TALiNT International Annual Recruitment Awards. COVID 19 has brought new competitive threats and transformational challenges into sharp focus for judges of the 2020 TIARAs.
“Talent is either leaving to start their own ventures, working client side or working in a recruitment business where communication, trust, responsibility and accountability are prioritised above attendance,” said Ian Nash, Chairman of Hudson and the TIARA Chair of Judges. “Those companies with a capacity to re-invent themselves and move with the times will ultimately succeed.”
Recruiters that have invested in training and technology to upskill their consultants and enable them to work in new ways have a stronger foundation for growth. “The most successful recruitment businesses will be those who think holistically about their entire recruitment operations,” said Jason Martin, Head of Strategy, Access Group. “These firms will be the ones who’ll be able to achieve a step-change and genuine business transformation.”
So what will judges be looking for in this year’s entries and what does a TIARA award-winning recruitment company look like?
“Those recruitment companies that scale quickly and grow above the £5 million net fee income line are those that have something really special going on with their culture,” says Keely Woodley, Partner, Human Capital Services at Grant Thornton and a judge for the Specialist Recruitment Company of the Year. A strong culture and collaboration have been vital in keeping consultants, clients and candidates engaged through the lockdown.
Judges including Debbie Bennet-Jackson, SVP of Marketing & Engagement at Citi and Claire Holness, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Ericsson, will add an inhouse perspective to our Best Recruitment Company to Work For, Candidate Experience, and D&I Awards.
“I’m looking for exemplary recruitment companies that can demonstrate the commercial impact of equal opportunities and diverse cultures,” said Asif Sadiq MBE, Former Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at The Telegraph and now Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at adidas.
The TIARA judging panel is distinguished by some of the industry’s leading executives, NEDs and chairmen, including Giles Daubeney, Former Deputy CEO of Robert Walters; Miles Hunt, Chairman of Cobalt; and David Higgins, Chairman of RPI.
Gary Elden, former CEO of SThree and Chair of Amoria Bond & Recbid, joins the TIARA judging panel in 2020. “When choosing my TIARA winners I’ll be looking at their values and principles, what they give back, how they treat their people in all markets, their size and growth rate, creativity and innovation, and what they are doing differently,” he said.
The TIARA 2020 entry forms have been re-designed to help the UK’s top recruiters demonstrate their innovation, how they invest in their people, and how this is under-pinned by their values. All TIARA finalists receive feedback from judges.