Member Article

Executive recruitment firm founded by Apprentice runner-up moves to Solihull offices after consistent growth

A West Midlands company that received investment from Lord Sugar through the hit TV show The Apprentice has expanded year-on-year after helping firms across the UK say ‘you’re hired’ to new leaders.

Harper Fox Partners, an executive search specialist within the fields of engineering, energy, transport, pharmaceutical and technology, was established by Scarlett Allen-Horton who narrowly missed out on victory in the 2019 series of the programme. Show star, Lord Alan Sugar, was so impressed with Allen-Horton that he decided to invest in the business, which has just moved into the University of Warwick Science Park’s Blythe Valley Innovation Centre as it continues to grow.

The company has doubled in size year on year since it was established in 2018 helping to place board level executives and senior leaders into businesses within its specialist sectors. Not only is it growing, it has a strong sense of purpose and is a leader in the equality, diversity and inclusivity space, supporting businesses in their efforts to diversify their senior management teams.

Amy Blount, the company’s marketing manager, said the Blythe Valley Innovation Centre was the perfect fit for the business, which has a 98.9 per cent client service excellence record. Amy said: “We’d outgrown our previous offices and we were thrilled to be able to move here to Blythe Valley.

“Firstly, the location is fantastic and it’s just a lovely environment to be based in. The offices at the Innovation Centre are ideal and they are a great place to bring clients and candidates.

“The team are friendly and supportive but, also, it’s a genuine hub for businesses in the sectors we work in. Everything about it feels right for a company that wants to be innovative in everything we do and with a clear purpose for how we want to do business. “Scarlett’s time on The Apprentice and the subsequent investment is well documented and, as a business, we’ve used that to continue to offer the highest possible standards of service to our clients and to really make a difference too.

“Scarlett leads on equality, diversity and inclusion within our industry body and, as a business, we are well above the industry average for increasing diverse talent representation. It’s something we are proud of and will continue to build on. “We are excited for the future in our fantastic new surroundings at the Blythe Valley Innovation Centre.”

Andy Stewart, the centre manager at the Blythe Valley Innovation Centre operated by University of Warwick Science Park, welcomed Harper Fox Partners to the building. He said: “The centre is a hive of activity right now with a really strong mix of businesses and we are really pleased to welcome Scarlett and the team. “Not only are we here to provide flexible space, we can help to support our tenants to grow and, of course, have links with the University of Warwick. We looking forward to exploring some of those opportunities with Harper Fox Partners as they continue to grow.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .