'Ruth is bloody brilliant and everyone should use her...whether you are looking in banking or fintech, for risk/compliance/audit...best headhunter in town.'
Nicholas Walker, (formerly Chief HRO, Paysafe Group)
'Kate is a first-class recruitment expert. Great empathy and takes time to understand the individual and organisation. My experience of being placed by Kate and as a client has been top drawer.'
Simon Taylor, CEO, Melton Building Society
'I’ve worked with Ruth for more than 20 years (I know, you’re thinking she must have only been a teenager). In that time Ruth has helped me hire some of the most creative, skilled and successful colleagues I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. Ruth has placed me in three roles that have defined my career and has also helped guide me away from positions that might not have been the best fit for me…and that’s the difference. Ruth isn’t looking for the quick transaction, she’s placing talent in the right place, building future leaders and creating connections that are quietly strengthening the financial services and regulated industries. Ruth has genuinely been one of the single most important influencers in my career. If you want to work with a focused, articulate, straight talking, driven and passionate leader in executive search, then look no further.'
Richard Swales, Global CRO, Paysafe Group
'My first experience of Taylor Harrison has been very positive. Ruth clearly knows her market and supplemented the clear written brief with useful background information about her client’s situation and key individuals. I really felt she took the time to understand me and particularly the challenge of transitioning as I was, from Exec to a NED role. Ruth maintained regular contact throughout the process, obtaining helpful and honest feedback and ensuring I was well informed at every stage. As a candidate in a competitive process I felt well briefed and valued throughout. I have also appreciated the attention Ruth has given post appointment to ensuring its a success for client and candidate. All in all its been a pleasure dealing with Taylor Harrison.'
Robin Litten, NED, Saffron Building Society
'I have had the pleasure of being on both sides of the process with Ruth.
My first experience was when she was running the search for the CEO role in which I was successful. First things first - Ruth used her extensive network to find me as I was not actively looking for a new role. Ruth then took the time to make sure I understood what her client was looking for and to subtly but steadily test my aptitude and capability for the role. Once in the process she continued to keep me informed, coaching me on the next steps as well as what motivated the decision makers. All of which was done remotely. I always felt engaged in the process much of this being down to Ruth.
I’ve also seen the client side. What has struck me here is Ruth’s in-depth knowledge of her areas of specialism where she can challenge you to make sure your brief is spot on, and you know what you’re looking for in a new hire. She then uses her network to get you the right people to think about. Ruth’s input into that part of the process is invaluable and will help you attract the right candidates including some you wouldn’t have sourced from your own network. The feedback to you as client is robust and keeps you honest as you move through process.
And this is all done in a spirit of transparency and with good humour. Ruth is a delight to work with.'
Donald Kerr, CEO, Cambridge & Counties Bank
'The Saffron Building Society Board identified the need to appoint a Non-Executive Director who could ultimately succeed the current Chair of Audit. Following a thorough and robust Executive Search selection process, Taylor Harrison was chosen. Their extensive experience of hiring at Board and Executive level within financial services and the broader regulatory sectors as well as their knowledge and expertise of the risk, governance and audit space, best suited the Society’s needs on this occasion.
I am pleased to say that the process ran extremely smoothly, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. Having spent much time and effort in obtaining a deep understanding of us as an organisation as well as the qualities and competencies required for our new Board member, Taylor Harrison presented a strong longlist of potential candidates with six selected for first round interviews. Following an extensive interview and assessment process an appointment was made resulting in the individual joining the Board in January 2021.
The shortlist brought good candidate diversity both in profile and expertise, as well as in character and operating style, clearly demonstrating much thought and creativity had been applied to the search process - we were not just presented with the ‘usual candidates’. This thoroughness of approach gave the Board confidence that Taylor Harrison had fully explored the available candidate networks and we had indeed selected ‘best in class’. I would have no hesitation in recommending both Ruth Almond and Taylor Harrison.'
Nick Treble, (formerly Chairman and NED, Saffron Building Society)
'Ruth recently led two important retained searches for me. One of the two was for a new CRO to replace the incumbent who was retiring. We chose Taylor Harrison because our own philosophy is one of deep specialism and we knew that Taylor Harrison had an outstanding reputation in the risk segment of the market.
After spending some time building an understanding of HTB and what we wanted from the appointment, Ruth and her team did an incredibly thorough market review at pace and came up with a big field of potential candidates. We then worked with Ruth to refine the list and she demonstrated an astonishing knowledge not only of the candidates’ individual careers, but of their personalities and behavioural profiles. She’s very straight and won’t hesitate to give you unpalatable advice if it’s the right thing to do - which I like. To cut a long story short we found an outstanding candidate whom we managed to secure. A very successful and well managed search.'
Matthew Wyles, CEO, Hampshire Trust Bank
'I have worked with Kate on multiple searches. Kate takes the time to really understand the business needs, role requirements and the skill set needed. She asks thoughtful and challenging questions to ensure that the brief is clear, concise and allows for no ambiguity and this saves a lot of time during the search process. Kate is well networked, and therefore she can provide a good benchmark of available candidates, however, she takes the right amount of time to also source additional candidates so that you have a diverse group of applicants to consider. Kate is very effective at managing each stage of search and selection, providing regular updates and manages expectations - for both the applicant and hiring company - ultimately ensuring a smooth and successful recruitment process is delivered.'
Richard Nightingale, Group HR Director, Kensington Mortgages
'Ruth is one of the most thoughtful, professional and efficient head-hunters that I have worked with during my career. She is not only excellent in her work, but she is kind, polite, thorough and had a very good grasp of the technical aspects of the role we worked on together. She is excellent in supporting her candidates through the hiring process, very honest and with a strong ability to assess various aspects of hiring. I can highly recommend Ruth. She has been an absolute pleasure to work with during as well as after the recruitment process. Not only a very professional partner to work with, but someone with very high integrity.'
Martina Swart, (formerly Group Chief Legal & Risk Officer, Arrow Global)
'Taylor Harrison has worked with CCB as our executive search firm for three years, finding us a variety of different roles including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Chair of Risk Committee and Chair of Audit Committee, which have been handled by Ruth Almond and Kate Wright.
We have always found everyone at Taylor Harrison to be very professional and competent. They have invested time in understanding our business and requirements, challenging our thinking whilst also clarifying our needs in terms of capabilities as well as diversity. Once they have a confirmed brief, they have systematically, and on occasions creatively, found us highly suitable candidates. They have been very efficient in keeping us informed of progress and meeting our deadlines. The standard of their insight about both candidates and the marketplace is excellent, as is their support during the process and post-offer. I particularly like that they follow up independently with the successful candidate to gain feedback on the on-boarding process.
I recommend Taylor Harrison as a search firm and Ruth and Kate.'
Sara Thorpe, (formerly Chief People Officer, Cambridge & Counties Bank)
'Excellent work Ruth in finding me a Director of Enterprise and Prudential Risk. Thoroughly enjoyed working with you. You presented an outstanding list of candidates who also positively commented on your approach and interaction with them. You have definitely put Taylor Harrison on the top of the preferred list for senior leadership recruitment at Masthaven Bank. Thank you and well done. Look forward to working with you again.'
Wahid Ali, (formerly CRO, Masthaven Bank)
'I have no hesitation in recommending Kate. She is great to deal with from an organisation's perspective, being honest, clear, transparent, insightful, commercial and engaging, and with a great knowledge of the industry. She takes the time to understand the business and its requirements for the role being recruited, and produces a strong list of candidates, both in terms of a longlist, and subsequently a shortlist. She has a no-nonsense approach and I very much enjoy working with Kate.'
Gary Wilkinson, CEO, Redwood Bank
'Kate worked with me on a recent recruitment for a Chair of Risk and I can highly recommend her. Kate’s understanding of board requirements in the financial services sector and risk in particular particular was excellent. She spent time researching and understanding our business and our board, enabling her to create a diverse and strong long list of candidates. Kate kept in touch regularly with a weekly update report and her telephone calls were always welcome and informative. She builds great rapport with her clients and I thoroughly enjoyed working with Kate on this key assignment.'
Judith Mortimer Sykes, NED, The Melton Building Society
'Kate was fantastic to deal with, from a candidate perspective. Went above and beyond the expectations of being kept informed and providing feedback. She was a pleasure to engage with and very knowledgeable about the sector and my role and the organisation.'
Rachel Macfarlane, General Counsel, Coventry Building Society
'Even before I knew Ruth I’d heard about her, such is her standing and reputation in risk management and financial services search. She is a consummate professional: knows her market inside out, gets to know candidates really well, understands her brief and she’s straightforward and candid about fit. She communicates really well throughout the process, managing expectations and making sure both sides in the process are updated throughout. She and her team are lovely people who are fun to work with. I’d recommend her without a second thought.'
Aileen Gillan, (formerly CRO, Allica Bank)
'I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ruth during my search for a new role. Her knowledge of my sector was hugely impressive and the depth of her challenge to ensure fit and motivation protects both the recruiter and the recruit. She is direct and honest with feedback and super supportive throughout the process. Her humour, no nonsense approach and sense of perspective was very much appreciated. I would certainly recommend working with Ruth.'
Phil Sowter, COO, Turkish Bank UK
'Highly recommend Ruth and her Team. Professional, positive and knowledgeable making the recruitment process focused and well structured. I always feel informed and briefed with effective prompt communication. Ruth knows the market well through her experience, extensive network and most importantly has her finger on the pulse of what will build good long term skills/cultural fit opportunities for candidates and organisations. Thank you for all your help and support!'
Oliver Greenslade, Director of Credit, LHV UK
'Taylor Harrison were successful in a tender for the recruitment of a COO in the bank. Our first experience has been very positive. Ruth clearly knows her market and supplemented our written brief to ensure we attracted the right calibre of candidate. I really felt she took the time to understand our role and our business. Ruth maintained regular contact throughout the process, delivering to the timetable of work and providing insightful feedback at every stage. Ruth provide a diverse range of candidates who all met our brief and supported our process through to the successful candidates start date. It has been a pleasure dealing with Taylor Harrison.'
John Coffey, Chair of Audit & Risk Committee, Turkish Bank UK
'A great experience working with Ruth as I transitioned from Exec to NED. I don't hesitate to recommend her.'
Elizabeth Lockwood, Chair of Risk and INED, The Melton Building Society, and Cambridge & Counties Bank
'I was a candidate of Ruth's. Ruth is unique in her very hands on approach to executive search, which in my case resulted in an ideal outcome. She is knowledgeable and resourceful, even in areas that aren't her core categories/segments. She was very involved in my process directly from outreach through to negotiations and closing, and I found she struck the right balance between both sides. I would highly recommend her, both for candidates and employers.'
Noah Sharp, (formerly Chief Banking Officer, Paysafe Group)
'Ruth knows her market incredibly well and genuinely consults. She considers candidates that might not be linear hires but that certainly challenge us to consider what we really need. She is engaging and communicates extremely well.'
Spencer Hurley, (formerly Resourcing, Strategy & Innovation, Nationwide Building Society)
