2023 Best Staffing Firms to Work For
Fintelligent Search Ltd.
Grand Prize Winner, 10 to 50 employees, UK
Measuring What Matters
Empowering team members to achieve their potential
It’s not the pool table and relaxed office atmosphere that makes Fintelligent special, nor is it the fancy coffee machine or the beautiful open floor plan office in the heart of Manchester, England. Fintelligent even has perks like all-expense-paid dinners and incentive trips to dream destinations, and while these things are greatly appreciated, they are not the reason this firm is a best-in-class employer. What makes this staffing firm special is summed up in one word – care. Starting from the top down, they care authentically for one another and care passionately about their work. While this may seem like a simple strategy, it is producing amazing results.
An Inspiring Transformation
What started as a recruitment firm focused primarily on financial services was repurposed and rebranded as Fintelligent in 2015 with an expanded vision that included the insurance and legal industries. As a result of diversifying, not only has Fintelligent been more resilient through economic challenges, it has also grown the team by at least three times. The firm even recently won the 2022 Recruiter Investing in Talent award for Most Inspiring Recruitment Company Transformation. Having overcome many challenges to get to where they are today, CEO James Fowler places little value on his own accomplishments. Rather, he takes great pride in the business his team has built together. “The single most important thing I can do as a recruitment leader is to hire outstanding people,” he says. Reflecting on his career journey, Fowler shares that through hard work and perseverance, he transformed his life into something he never would have imagined - and now he enjoys helping his team members do the same.
Built on Trust
Modern business strategy suggests that leaders “measure what matters.” For most companies, this means developing a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) and quotas for team members to fulfill. Fintelligent takes a different approach, championing the growth and success of its employees, which in turn cultivates strong performance and happier clients. Principle Consultant Jenni Booth explains, “Well-being of the staff is at the heart of the business.” Booth and her colleagues appreciate the flexibility they are afforded because of the priority placed on trusted relationships. This includes flexible schedules, not being required to log every minute of the day, hybrid work arrangements and leadership emphasis on growing the unique individual instead of micromanaging the passion out of people.
While Fintelligent doesn’t rise and fall on KPIs, its people do work fiercely toward their corporate and individual goals. Rather than reacting to short-term challenges, everyone at Fintelligent keeps their eyes focused on the long term. As Fowler shares, “Everyone has bought into the vision and feels like the company is a part of them.” He continues, “Culture is like being on a journey together … it’s great when the going is good, but it’s measured by how you respond when the going is tough.” Having weathered economic fluctuations and the global pandemic, the Fintelligent team is stronger than ever.
Work Hard, Celebrate Harder
There is no doubt that the Fintelligent team works hard; however, they are quick to celebrate accomplishments as well. Consultant Zac Green, who joined the company in 2022, shares that Fintelligent is “everything you would want in a job: rewarding, fun and challenging work.” Part of the legal division, Green works with top law firms in the UK and into the US. The recruitment process in legal is a bit different than other industries - the deals are more complex, typically with a longer time to implementation but a high return on investment. When his first deal finally closed, Green was treated to a bottle of champagne and a surprise celebratory dinner. He shared that whenever a deal is closed, the staff member’s name is displayed on visible dashboard, and much like at a sporting event when a superstar comes onto the field, their favorite song is played to announce the good news - amidst the encouraging cheers of their colleagues. One year in, Green couldn’t be happier with his decision to come to Fintelligent; he is already up for a promotion and sees a promising future ahead.
A Clear Path Forward
Another notable trait of the Fintelligent culture is the emphasis on employee development. Even as a part of the hiring process, leaders at Fintelligent tell prospective staff members about the career progression opportunities available to those who work hard and desire to grow. Managing Consultant James Noble is one such employee. After 2½ years at the company, he has already been promoted twice and continues to meet with Fowler to discuss his goals for the future. Now leading a team of his own, Noble is not only growing his own career but is also excited about providing others with opportunities. When asked about his best day at work, Noble spoke not of his own accomplishments but of the pride he felt when one of his team members landed their first deal. Reflecting on the most rewarding part of his job, Noble summed it up as “knowing you helped someone develop their career and celebrating their success.”
It’s easy to trace this sentiment back to the company’s leader. Fowler views his role as a catalyst, bringing the team together and empowering them to achieve their potential. He realizes his legacy comes not from his own individual achievements but rather through the power of the time he invests in people. Fowler’s dream is that one day the Fintelligent team members will look back on this time with a smile on their faces, reflecting on the amazing company they built and the life-changing opportunities they were afforded because they went on this incredible journey together.
As published on Staffingindustry.com - https://www.staffingindustry.com/lists/best-staffing-firms-work-ukireland/2023-best-staffing-firms-work/entrants/fintelligent-search
