Member Article

Head-hunters target global talent shortage

A head-hunting firm specialising in executive recruitment for the international oil and gas, renewable energy and process sectors has been launched in response to a worldwide talent shortage.

Watson Lily, which is based at Wynyard Park on Teesside, is being run by Clare Fenwick from Hartlepool who says the “boutique” executive search firm caters for the challenging and fiercely competitive global energy sector.

With extensive global experience in the recruitment industry, Clare delivers senior-level support to her clients.

“The competition in this industry, coupled with the ever-changing, growing energy sector environment, provides a fundamental challenge to organisations seeking to attract and recruit the best candidates in the market place. Senior level appointments can transform an organisation so selecting the right executive search firm is essential for sustainable success,” she said.

Supported by her sister Toni, also an experienced recruitment consultant, Clare says the aim is quality, not quantity for Watson Lily.

“As a “boutique” executive search firm, our business ethos is to work in partnership with a small number of client organisations to provide a depth and breadth of service that guarantees success. Although our HQ is on Wynyard Park, we have an international focus as many of our clients locally have global operations or are seeking to expand internationally. I worked as an international head-hunter for almost a decade before returning to the North-East in 2007 - the experience I gained in this field is invaluable when it comes to meeting our clients’ needs.

“We don’t advertise roles or keep a database of candidates, but we are keen to build relationships with senior personnel within the oil and gas, renewable energy and process sectors. Building a relationship with an experienced, professional and knowledgeable head-hunter is essential to your long-term career success. Our consultants can offer career advice and support and industry insights that are impossible to gain through your own internal networks,” she said.

The company’s name is derived from the names of Clare and Toni’s grandmother and an aunt of their late father Peter who himself worked offshore on oil rigs.

“My dad went offshore when I was two and his memory - and our family links with the oil and gas industry - are the driving forces behind my return to the North-East and the launch of the company,” said Clare, a mum of six-year-old Marley, who left Hartlepool at the age of 18 to go to university. She graduated with a law degree and subsequently became a legal head-hunter.

Watson Lily’s office is based within Wynyard Park’s hugely successful Serviced Office Scheme which provides companies with a package of facilities and support tailored to their own individual needs.

“As a firm committed to providing clients with a five-star quality service, we wanted to base ourselves at a five-star location and Wynyard Park is just that. It is an exceptional place to work and everyone who comes here is impressed by the surroundings,” said Clare.

Claire Tallon, Facilities and Estates Manager at Wynyard Park, said: “Watson Lily shares our commitment to high-quality service so the company is a great fit for Wynyard Park. We are delighted to welcome Clare and Toni and wish them good luck for the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steve Hilton .