Business change and transformation by Karen Camilleri

Most recruiters will know, especially those at senior level, that moving jobs is no simple task. But we all know deep down that to keep current and to develop yourself and propel your career forwards you have to experience new situations. After 8 years of successfully building two Interim recruitment businesses focusing on all modes of Transport it occurred to me that I needed to diversify in order to improve on my proposition to market.

I joined Green Park in May this year to focus on Business Change, Transformation, Operations, Project and Programme and I have completely immersed myself in the discipline. I just wish the days were longer as there is so much to do and the learning has been intense. The team at Green Park has been really welcoming and most importantly they have a strategic approach to their commercial relationships. I also believe that working for an Owner Managed business has real advantage. The key one for an experienced recruiter like me is the lack of pointless corporate meetings and action lists that rarely bare fruit. That bit is a real breath of fresh air and has freed my time up and enabled me to hit the ground running and be effective quickly.

Its only been three and a half months and I’m writing this because I’ve come to a summer holiday point. Time for a bit of self reflection and a breather.

Within this three months I have interviewed and engaged with a wealth of really interesting interim managers and also existing and potential clients. We talk about Transformation and Change, track records of achievement, delivery and results. I’ve put a team of 5 professional interims in to work on a Turnaround within a new sector and I’ve also put a team of 3 interim change and transformation programme managers into Rail.

My key questions I asked myself before I made the move is as follows: “Is this going to improve your knowledge of the commercial world? Are you going to grow professionally? Will you add value to the interims in your network and will you be in a position to support new and existing clients better?” I am fulfilling all of this and I’m at the start of my journey. This looks promising.

I’ve learnt about Change Management, Transformation, Target Operating Models, Project and Programme Management in so much more detail than ever before. I enjoyed being a sector expert and I will still remain one, but now I can explore other sectors too and blend my learning, I’m already adding so much more value to my clients by introducing them to those from sectors that they may not traditionally explore for talent.

The discussions I’m having are enlightening and insightful and I’m adding value to my existing network and my previous network. By introducing those within the Commercial team at Green Park who cover all corporate functions Interim and Search I’ve had so much to talk about. And finally Diversity and Inclusion under pins our work and is something that our Board champions and our Diversity consultants advise on and deliver day to day. Being able to support my clients with three simple and uncomplicated offerings has been invaluable to the strong start I have made. I have had so much support from my network too. I’ve reignited my passion for learning too!