Scope: British Car Auctions have undergone significant change and growth simultaneously. The leadership team were looking to re-shape the finance organisations both in Europe and in the UK.

Solution: Retained searches were critical for all roles in Europe, whilst working exclusively on UK-based roles to attract A+ talent to their office in Farnham, Surrey.

Results: Ignata invested in a new technology platform that allowed the BCA teams to see our candidates answer key questions and assess cultural fit thus reducing the time to hire significantly (especially useful throughout lockdown). We placed the following roles:

Finance Director (Madrid)

European VAT Manager (Lisbon)

UK Financial Controller (Farnham)

European Finance Manager’s x2 (Farnham)

Financial Analyst, Farnham

UK Remarketing Finance Director

Commercial & Operations Finance Director

Testimonial from David Banks (International FD): "Ben and his team at Ignata have worked very closely with us on several searches for both UK and European roles. I initially enlisted Ben to help fill 2 key UK roles and he brought a number of excellent candidates. As a result of this success I opted to work with Ben on a retained basis for 2 key European roles and again was very impressed with the quality of candidates he brought. Following these successes I am confident that I can rely on Ignata to help me find strong finance professionals in the UK and Europe."

Scope: Sweaty Betty is growing at pace. In order to support this, the board have partnered with Ben to recruit a number of strategic hires.

Solution: Ben exclusively mapped the market using our data-driven research team and tirelessly created an A+ talent pool of culturally aligned candidates. It was by no means an easy mandate but the results speak for themselves.

Results: Ben and his team have recruited the following roles: CFO, Senior FP&A Manager, Head of Transactional Finance, VP Finance, AP Manager (Interim & Junior Staff), Financial Projects Manager (Interim), VP of Logistics & Operations, Ecommerce Manager with more to come!

Testimonial from Mark Smith, COO: "Ben has hired a number of roles for me - all very successfully. He does an outstanding job of really understanding not only the role but the company's culture so making sure he finds candidates that will truly fit. I very much recommend him!"

Scope: Independent Builders Merchants Group (IBMG) is the largest independent builders merchant group in the South East, having bought together 4 well established trading brands. Our business is built on relationships - with colleagues, customers and suppliers - so making sure we have the right people in the right roles is absolutely essential for us, especially during this period of significant growth. We also have much to offer as an employer of choice, with lots of opportunity for a successful career with us. Working with Ignata is key in helping us to identify, find and offer opportunities to the right people and is helping us to create a top-class team, able to equip our business with the strategic management, tools and information as we continue to grow.

Solution: A full retained search was the clear mandate, encompassing a full market-mapping exercise, no advertising and working in a confidential manner.

Results: Ben and his team have recruited the following roles: Group Financial Controller, Senior FP&A Manager, Interim FP&A Manager and a number of temporary qualified and non-qualified finance professionals.

Testimonial from David Weston, Group Finance Director: "I have worked with Ben and the Ignata team on a large number of contracts and I have no hesitation in recommending them. Their professional expertise has helped us define roles, structure teams and select excellent candidates in multiple areas of the business."

Testimonial from Nigel Richards, Financial Controller: "Ben clearly has a sixth sense when matching candidates with employers: understanding far more than just the importance of having the right experience and competencies, but also in identifying cultural good fit, aligning personalities and understanding how a role will meet the longer term growth and development goals of both sides. From a candidate perspective, Ben was highly communicative and responsive throughout the process and beyond and operates very much as a trusted partner to both sides."

Scope: Lyle & Scott were expanding and needed help rapidly, so exclusively reached out to Sam to source their next hires. A few months earlier, Ben had recruited the Head of Finance.

Solution: Working in an exclusive mandate, Sam quickly established a clear understanding of the business’ needs and created a talent pool of retail-specific candidates.

Results: Credit Control Manager & Management Accountant roles both filled within 3 weeks. These strategic hires will help carry the business forward into their next phase of growth.

Testimonial from Simon Howes, Head of Finance: "Sam helped me fill a role at speed, keeping me well informed throughout the search and providing me with candidates that also came well-prepared for the role. Thanks!"

Testimonial from Janelle Thomas, Management Accountant: "Sam helped me secure a new role and was a pleasure to deal with throughout. From the beginning he listened to what I was looking for and kept me up to date with only relevant roles and continually kept me informed of my application progress. After I accepted the role he arranged a lunch so I could spend time with my new manager before starting. When the COVID-19 situation began a month or so before I was due to begin he kept in touch, making sure he was passing on any information he heard as soon as he did and checked in as it got closer to the start day and after I was due to start to ensure everything had been smooth. Throughout the process Sam was professional and friendly, making himself easy to approach and minimising any stress in the situation - I would highly recommend."

Scope: Crew Clothing had been looking for a Finance Director for some time, previously using another search firm and not finding the right individual.

Solution: Ben met with Rupert Hay, HR Director to fully understand the brief and gauge what had been going wrong so far. Working with his research team, a very bespoke search was undertaken with over 30 potential candidates being met by our team.

Results: This was by no means an easy role to fill, given that we were operating throughout COVID-19 with numerous candidates getting close, Crew having to (understandably) put the role on hold but in the end a successful hire was made and Alison is really enjoying her first few months. Patience from all involved was required!

Testimonial from Alison Nieuwoudt, Finance Director: "Ben helped me secure a new role during this incredibly difficult Covid time and was very supportive both in preparing me for every stage of interviews but also checking in to see how I have settled in. Despite this being a longer than normal process Ben kept me informed at all times (even when having some difficult personal times himself). I would absolutely recommend Ben."

Scope: La Perla was undergoing a re-financing, re-organisation and re-patriation of it’s HQ from Bologna to London. There was plenty to do!

Solution: Frederic Klein, the new CFO reached out to Ben & Vikki as he had worked with them previously and needed an instant recruit of a Group Financial Controller. Having met Frederic on his 4^th day, Vikki recommended Patrick (who she had placed four times before) and he started the following week and is gainfully employed today!

Results: A full build-out of the team was required and Ben was exclusively retained to work in a confidential manner. The research team were instructed to fully map the market and looked at both an international and local candidate pool. We have successfully recruited the following roles:

Group Financial Controller

VP of Tax & Treasury (Interim & Permanent)

Senior Finance Manager

Senior FP&A Manager

Senior HR Finance Business Partner

Interim Group Accountant

Interim Financial Reporting Manager

Testimonial from Frederic Klein, Group CFO: "Very productive collaboration with Ben. Took a new CFO role recently, had to rebuild the entire team and achieved it in record time and with high quality through retained partnership with Ignata, no miss on recruits. Ben understands businesses and specific corporate cultures, has a high-quality network and is proactive in managing assignments."

Testimonial from Florence Couque, Senior FP&A Manager: "The Ignata team and Ben in particular have been incredible in helping me secure a new role. Ben's industry knowledge and the great relationships he has developed with clients over the years are a real asset. He fully understood the company's needs and my personal aspirations and made sure to find the right fit. During the process, he communicated efficiently and gave useful feedback. I would highly recommend Ben."