The faces behind the InX Technology team
After the success of last month’s meet the InX manufacturing team interview, we wanted to shine a spotlight on another group at InX, Technology, Digital and Transformation.
Much like Manufacturing, many of the individuals in this team have worked together for years, across multiple companies, which has allowed them to grow their networks, and quite rightly so, be known in the industry as leaders in the technology space.
Continually engaging the technology community is a top priority for the team, be it via thought-leadership pieces (make sure you read Nat’s monthly blog The INside Leadership View in the InX monthly newsletter), regular events and roundtables or even via Dan’s highly insightful and engaging LinkedIn posts.
Take a read at the full interview below to learn more about the technology team and why they do what they do!
Becca: Firstly, thank you for doing this. As a team, you have a great dynamic and I’m excited for the InX community to get to know you a little better. Let’s kick it off with something simple – can you tell us more about you and your role at InX (or within The IN Group)?
James: I spent the first 10 years of my career helping organisations appoint HR and Talent Acquisition leaders and working with these leaders to build out high performing HR and Talent teams. Six years ago, I moved my focus to technology, and I have been helping boards appoint inspiring C-Suite Technology, Digital and Transformation leaders ever since.
I’m now the Director for our InX Technology, Digital and Transformation business. Although my title suggests I lead the brand, in practice we operate a flat structure where I'm lucky enough to work with a group of extremely talented and experienced individuals, all of us working together to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers.
Matt: Believe it or not, I used to be a professional footballer back in the day, but for the last 23 years I’ve focused my time to technology recruitment, search and consulting. I am now the Managing Director, overseeing the operations and formulating the strategy to grow the team and our incredible offerings to our clients and candidates.
Nat: I’ve had a long career in executive search, from working at Korn Ferry in their EMEA Technology Officers Practice, to leading the UK CIO Practice at Harvey Nash. In my early career I worked as a tech recruiter at Hudson in New Zealand, and a recruiter in the telco industry at The Synergy Group in London.
Now at The IN Group, I work hard to understand what our C-Suite community need, and to meet this need. This could include career advice, industry insights, connections with peers, invitations to events, sharing thoughts through articles and, of course, telling them about our amazing group of brands.
Chris: Before joining The IN Group, I spent 16 years working for a global tech recruitment firm. If we want to go even further back to just after I graduated, I spent a couple of years working for John Lewis in their Solihull store. Now however, I look after the regional tech and transformation team based out of our offices in Birmingham.
Dan: I’ve spent over 10 years in technology leadership search across the UK and Europe and now at InX I am responsible for the delivery of our retained search requirements on a permanent basis. The technology industry is fascinating and it’s a sector I am truly passionate about. There are always new trends and new challenges to overcome which makes this role so rewarding.
Terry: Previously I ran several business units within Investigo’s Technology & Transformation team, however I am now responsible for running our Group Solutions Function for The IN Group, focusing on designing bespoke solutions for clients’ complex challenges in the technology and transformation space.
It is an area I am very passionate about, having worked within Technology & Transformation for the last 16 years, supporting hundreds of clients delivering programmes, ranging from small discrete engagements through to programmes with budgets of over £500 million.
Helen: I am still relatively new to InX, having joined in September [2023] to be responsible for the search process and insights of the team. Before my current role, I specialised in Cloud and DevOps recruitment, so I am really enjoying working closely with the team and utilising data and analytics in our candidate mapping.
Becca: You’re pushing 100 years of experience combined which is incredible! Now we’ve heard about you, we should hear about InX. If someone were to ask you to describe InX and the technology team in 30 seconds, what would you say?
James: A group of experienced and expert search specialists with large technology, digital and transformation networks. Honestly though, words are easy to say, I would encourage them to engage with us, providing us with the opportunity to show them how different we are through the InX experience the whole team are committed to providing.
Dan: Accountable, approachable, values driven, partnership organisation. InX is a business that cares as much about the hire as the clients do.
Nat: A team of highly experienced people who have great networks and are specialists in their areas of expertise. The team can guide and challenge clients, and are also genuinely great people; humble, bright, credible, warm and human.
Matt: Dedicated to serve the C -Tech community and be the obvious designation of travel for any senior leader, no matter their challenge.
Chris: A tech search team who’ve spent their careers working closely with the tech leader community. Not only does this allow us to identify shortlists quickly and accurately, but it also ensures we can provide accurate market data and trend analysis when they engage with customers. We operate as a team, so when you engage with one InX tech partners, you tap into decades worth of knowledge and networking.
Terry: Extremely dynamic group of true specialists with deep expertise in their specific field. The InX team are highly collaborative and agile, allowing them to move at pace whilst still delivering exceptional results.
Helen: An incredibly talented group of people who have known each other for many years, and have a seamless way of working together that really brings out the best in the whole team.
Becca: I couldn’t agree more. Knowing you all personally and as a team, you really are experts in your fields and you’re a delight to work with. So, other than what you’ve just said, what do you think makes the team stand out from competitors?
James: We’re united and always challenging ourselves in our aim to be seen as "not just another executive search firm". This means treating everyone as an individual and with the respect they deserve. We’re very fortunate to be part of The IN Group which allows us to introduce our C-Suite network to other IN Group brands who can help them solve any resource and talent challenge they may be experiencing.
Helen: I think how close knit the entire team is makes us different. We're one well-oiled machine, no one's in competition with each other and we’re all helping one another work toward the same goal.
Nat: We're fortunate to have a team of highly experienced, well-networked professionals who really know their markets. However, we’re also very human and non-stuffy. Today, people appreciate working with authentic specialists who over-deliver and form long term, meaningful relationships.
Terry: InX brings the human element to executive search, the team have the experience and delivery track record to deliver exceptional results without making things over complicated. They can flex and provide different levels of service, depending on the needs of each specific client.
Dan: We’re flexible with our approach, whilst also retaining a robust search process. Our networks have been developed over many years and the culmination of all our experience is something unique to the market.
Chris: I completely agree. The team is made up of highly experienced and well-respected search consultants. All have spent many years building strong relationships with the tech leadership community which means their reach is second to none. Unusually for search businesses our relationships don't stop once the recruitment process is over, because The IN Group is set up to support those tech leaders with talent solutions once they are in post. This really drives a long-term partnership led approach to exec search.
Becca: A few of you highlighted that you’re not stuffy which can be an assumption tied with executive search firms. What misconceptions have you encountered and how do you think we can go about reversing them?
Chris: A lot of people think it’s slow-paced. However, we work closely with customers to fine tune our process to match whatever the client need is. And due to our complete emersion in the tech market we can be both thorough and fast paced.
Terry: I would say a common misconception is that some of the larger exec search brands will deliver better results than a boutique like InX, which is not the case.
The InX team is demonstrating that on a weekly basis, that the flexible and dynamic approach to executive search is delivering brilliant results. InX is becoming the trusted partner for executives across industry and building a reputation of being dynamic and results focused.
Nat: There’s a perception that we’re very lofty and difficult to reach as we're full of self-importance. Yes, this does exist in the industry, but doesn't reflect our team, nor the people in our wider group of brands.
By being true to ourselves, we’re accessible, we can work at pace, we're genuinely care about our clients and contacts and we're not transactional but seek long-lasting relationships.
Dan: Many people think it's expensive. However, for the process, data and insight received (along with a brilliant candidate!) it is extremely good value for money. Especially if we consider the cost of a bad hire.
We show the level of detail we can go into with our market knowledge through world-class leadership, as well as providing comfort to our clients that we have the network to identify the right individual for the role.
James: I agree with you Dan. People often think it’s expensive and doesn't always provide the value it should. In some cases, clients are 100% right, there are times, I'm sure, where our industry hasn't delivered the value.
At InX we make sure this never happens for our customers. We’re flexible, adaptable, and totally committed to delivery. We listen and can adapt of services to meet the individual needs of our customer. We’re not bound to rigid processes like some of our competitors. Alongside this we have invested in data and insights specialists who along with our research capability and experts search partners help provide a transparent and open process where no stone is left unturned, and all our work is regularly reported and auditable so clients can truly see and feel the value we commit to deliver.
Becca: It’s been great hearing from you all and hopefully everyone has learnt more about you all personally but also the InX tech team. I wanted to conclude this discussion by asking you what is the best piece of advice you have for business leaders looking to hire/looking for a new role?
Helen: Make sure the entire leadership team is on the same page regarding hiring. It causes so many issues with the hiring process if two leaders have different ideas.
Dan: For business leaders looking to hire: Don't put it off. It's all too easy to wait and put it off, but great talent in the market is competitive to attract.
Nat: If you're a business, take the process seriously. You can cause a lot of reputational damage if you don't put the time in to get this right, from the outset when you're defining your business case, to the onboarding of your chosen leader and everything in-between. It can have such a big impact on your company, so don't fudge it and hope it pans out. Working with a great search partner will always help.
Chris: Work with a recruitment partner who wants to get to know you. If a recruiter is genuinely curious about you or your business the likelihood, is they will provide a service that puts you and your interests as their top priority.
Terry: I would suggest that any C-Suite executive should continually focus their personal and professional networks. Where possible attending C-Suite and executive roundtables and thought-leadership sessions.
Matt: Short and sweet - a relationship is a two-way thing!
James: Best piece of advice? Come and speak to one of the team, let them talk you through their networks and track record and hear what previous customers have to say. You won't be disappointed.
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If you would like to find a future C-tech leader for your business, or you’re a tech or digital leader who’s looking for their next step, please contact one of the InX technology team, here.