A retained search success story, team growth, and an important reminder for Anti-Bullying Week
As firms grow, so do their challenges - and their ambitions.
One of the most critical (and difficult) transitions any firm faces is moving from founder-led success to structured leadership. That’s exactly the challenge a fantastic accountancy practice in Manchester brought to us recently.
They needed to scale their leadership team to support sustainable growth, increase operational resilience, and open up capacity for their partners. In short — they didn’t just need “good people”; they needed the right leaders.
And that’s exactly what we delivered.
The Brief: Build the Leadership That Will Shape the Future
Our client had experienced incredible organic growth. Now, they were ready to take things to the next level – and that required top-tier leadership.
At the centre of the brief: an Audit Director who could bring not only technical excellence, but also commercial savvy and genuine leadership qualities.
This was more than a one-off hire. They were looking to make multiple senior appointments over time, and needed a long-term partner who understood their culture, goals, and future trajectory.
Our Retained Search Solution: ProTalent Professional
To meet this challenge, we worked through our specialist retained service – ProTalent Professional.
With a retained search, we become a strategic extension of our client’s business. We take a deep-dive approach into:
✔️ Market mapping and competitor intelligence
✔️ Targeted outreach to high-calibre, often passive, candidates
✔️ Cultural alignment and leadership assessment
✔️ End-to-end communication, interview structuring, and offer management
This high-touch, dedicated model enabled us to identify, engage, and secure a truly brilliant Audit Director - someone who matched the brief not only on paper, but in personality, values, and vision.
The result?
✅ One successful hire in place
✅ Multiple senior roles scoped and in progress
✅ A long-term talent strategy underpinned by trust and insight
A Warm Welcome to Matt Jones
While we’re on the subject of brilliant additions, we’re delighted to share that Matt Jones has joined the ProTalent team!
Matt brings an incredible blend of recruitment knowledge, commercial experience, and a truly people-first mindset. He’s already making his mark and adding serious value to both candidates and clients.
Want to get to know Matt?
👉 Read more about him here
We’re lucky to have him onboard – and excited for what’s ahead!
It’s Anti-Bullying Week - And That Includes the Workplace
Anti-Bullying Week isn’t just about schools and playgrounds.
It’s also a timely reminder that bullying can – and does – happen in professional environments.
In accountancy (and many industries), workplace bullying can show up subtly:
- Micromanagement disguised as "high standards"
- Exclusion from meetings or projects
- Persistent undermining or dismissive behaviour
- Aggressive communication or “banter” that goes too far
It’s a topic that deserves attention - because bullying doesn’t stop at 18. And in a profession where collaboration, trust, and psychological safety are key, we simply can’t afford to ignore it.
At ProTalent, we believe in:
- Creating safe, inclusive spaces
- Placing people in cultures where they will thrive
- Encouraging firms to lead with empathy and integrity
Leadership isn’t just about results - it’s about how those results are achieved.
Ready to Scale Your Leadership Team?
If you’re looking to expand your leadership or build a high-performing senior team, we’d love to support you.
Whether it’s one strategic hire or a multi-role retained search, our ProTalent Professional service is tailored to bring you the right people for the long term.
🔗 Learn more about how we work:
👉 https://protalent.eu/protalent-professional/
Let’s build your future, together.
Thanks for reading - and as always, stay kind, stay ambitious, and look out for one another.
Warm wishes,
Lydia x