Julian became a partner at Key Consulting over 9 months ago, launching the finance service line and supporting HR. He has found the role exciting and fulfilling already, and feels grateful to be continuing many long-standing relationships on mission-critical needs (exclusive and retained search models). The opportunity to establish a new business is a hugely satisfying challenge and learning experience for Julian, and he looks forward to developing further, personally and professionally, along the way.
When asked how his broad experience has contributed to developing the service offering at Key Consulting, Julian replied ‘One of the attractions of working with the other Founding Members was the knowledge that our respective networks overlap and complement in many areas. This results in relationships being further enhanced, and access and value to the market increasing significantly and quickly. That’s what happens when each member of the team has 15+ years of experience’.
Still on the topic of developing Key’s service offering, Julian hopes to see increasing synergies between Finance and HR functions, based on shared and increasingly demanding expectations from business leaders. HR can learn from the experience of Finance in terms of transforming itself from a back-office function to being a key driver of organisational capabilities and business outcomes – this remains an ongoing process for many organisations in Japan in particular, with Julian adding ‘the many search scenarios I have been involved in help me to help customers navigate whatever talent challenge they are facing’.
When it comes to what has made him feel most proud during his time with Key thus far, Julian wasn’t short of examples; ‘The complementary nature of the client networks and relationships across the team, particularly with major Japanese brands has allowed a much fuller view of the market, and a broader variety of intelligence, therefore creating greater value to our customers’. As well as gaining further industry insight, Julian is proud to have hit the ground running in terms of delivering to clients and is incredibly appreciative of the many customers who have continued to entrust him with their organisational and/or career needs.
We were keen to know about what emerging trends Julian has noticed in the Finance and HR marketplace: ‘Broadly speaking, but very recently and noticeably, organisations readying themselves for changes at leadership-level ahead of anticipated challenges in 2023. The importance of EQ in hiring decisions and transformation remains critical, but the human touch is now considered essential for success. Finance leaders are expected to be proactive in understanding and shaping the entire value-chain, getting involved in commercial decisions more than ever. HR leaders are required to be increasingly agile, creative and collaborative. “Business as usual” is not an option anymore, replacing it is the ability to find a practical and effective balance between the demands of global standardisation and the need for local customisation’.
At Key Consulting, developing and communicating #KeyInsights to our clients and colleagues is paramount to evolving our operation. When asked what insights Julian has for clients, he responded: ‘This might be surprising coming from a recruiter, but I ask whether my clients have explored all internal options first before going to market to find new talent. Your people are precious. Providing continuous dialogue, talent development and mobility are hugely important to retention and the internal talent pipeline. People don’t know what they don’t know – align and coach stakeholders in all aspects of the employee and candidate experience. If/when you go to market for talent, own the message, own the brand, make candidates feel special and not lost in the “black hole” of an online portal. Be selective, invest in your agencies, after all they are your mouthpiece and the candidates’ window to you and your story’.
When looking towards the future of the Finance and HR service line and Key’s overall growth over the next few years, Julian is hoping to continue augmenting the service offering by bringing in a mix of seasoned and next-generation Executive Search professionals. ‘This will take time and will continue the themes of reinforcing and complementing what we do. Personally, I look forward to working in a small but “perfectly-formed” cell of specialists, leveraging the benefits of expertise, trusted network, and value-driven professionalism, to help companies take advantage of the opportunities that come with the rapidly evolving cross section of Finance, Operations, and Technology’.
We’re proud to have Julian as an integral member of Team Key and thoroughly look forward to collaborating on the further development of his business and his career with us.
