Talent Acquisition Leaders In Profile:
Tim Bellwood
Tim Bellwood
Talent Acquisition Leader – EMEA
dss+ Geneva, Switzerland
This month’s TA Leader in profile is Tim Bellwood who heads EMEA Talent Acquisition for the leading provider of operations management consulting services with a purpose of saving lives and creating a sustainable future, dss+. With their head office based in Geneva, and a global footprint of over 1000 staff, dss+ provides and implements strategic operations consulting services which help companies become more efficient, sustainable, and safe.
It was a great opportunity for us to learn more about the specific head winds that global management consultancies face in terms of talent attraction and retention and how dss+ has achieved YoY double digit growth since their management buyout from DuPont in 2019.
We asked Tim about the challenges facing TA in Europe and how dss+ intends to continue to hit their hiring targets during 2023/24 (with a specific focus on ESG & Sustainability as one of their key areas of growth).
CHALLENGES FACING TALENT ACQUISITION TEAMS WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SECTOR
The key challenge for management consultancies is to be able to attract and retain high performers who will also embrace a positive culture and the values of a company. As Tim says, ‘One wrong hire can create a negative environment within a local team or service line’.
While a candidate might possess the desired expertise and background we're seeking, it's equally important that their values and behaviors align with our own. Our vibrant and positive working culture thrives on shared values, and it's our belief that maintaining this alignment is crucial.
Our commitment lies in cultivating an environment that not only values professional growth but also fosters a sense of unity within our diverse and highly collaborative team. We're dedicated to setting all our people up for success and nurturing an atmosphere where everyone's unique contributions contribute to our collective achievement.
The culture of dss+ is that of a diverse, friendly, and supportive working environment (as evidenced by an enviable annual attrition rate of less than 10%). The current demand for accomplished management consultants (of all levels) is as high now as it was pre-pandemic, and with continued year on year growth, dss+ is focused on how they can help their consultants continue to positively grow their careers in a global marketplace. Tim says that dss+ offers flexible working but that sustained regular travel can sometimes make hiring a challenge. The environment is entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and fun – ‘people really like working here’.
KEY SUCCESSES AND INNOVATIONS WITHIN THIS SECTOR
dss+ has been very successful in promoting their new brand with a consistent online presence of exciting case studies along with a high level of industry engagement which has helped build interest in their global service offering (Visit the dss+ Content Hub here). This has resulted in sustained candidate interest. In addition, their commitment to net zero and de-carbonisation has become a focus in terms of candidate attraction in what is a well-defined pool of talent.
Tim says that dss+ could be described as a challenger brand with a very specific focus (operations consulting and implementation) as distinct from some of their larger competitors – in summary, the new brand, marketing and positioning of the business has been a success in terms of candidate interest in the company.
dss+ has also successfully attracted people who have had significant industry (client side) expertise but who are new to the management consulting sector – being flexible with these criteria has opened career opportunities up to a wider talent pool. People who are commercially focused & subject matter experts (and have collaborated with external consultants in the past) often bring a unique perspective to their new role(s).
The TA team globally comprises experienced recruiters with significant in-house corporate recruitment and traditional search experience (which Tim says is a key feature of their approach to delivering the yearly hiring plan). The time to hire can be longer than other sectors (particularly for more senior hires) and dss+ want the candidate experience to be outstanding. Engagement with the brand is positive – but it’s ‘how you manage the candidate experience from this point that matters’. In addition, a consultant may not ‘be ready to work with dss+ now but we want them to consider us in the future’ – Building strong networks (Talent Pools) is critical for future hiring.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS FROM TIM
Whilst there were logistical challenges for consultants during the pandemic, we are proud that no redundancies were necessary – indeed during this time dss+ also acquired Sofies and the ESG specialists KKS Advisors.
Ultimately, from a TA perspective, ‘we remain very deliberate in terms of candidate quality, personality and how new people will fit within our culture’.
Whilst it can be hard for management consultants to start up on their own, there continues to be a ‘start up feel’ at dss+ which is exciting and is also attractive to many candidates.
We really enjoyed speaking with Tim and hearing about the exciting times ahead for dss+.
Contact Tim via LinkedIn here