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Alexander Daniels Offshore has a basic set of standards that its staff live by. Emily Moore finds out how that influences the way the recruitment specialist firm goes about its business
IT is often said that the key to communication is listening and this, says Sarah Elliott, is one of the core values which underpins Alexander Daniels Offshore’s approach.
And, as the company’s regional director explains, while this may sound simple, it is hugely significant when it comes to building relationships, gaining the trust of clients and candidates, and placing people in the right positions.
“Our values are basic but real,” she said. “We listen, we care and we deliver. Not only do those values run through the core of the business but they are key to all of us, both as individuals and as a team. While the values may be simple, they are important, and make us who we are.”
Also giving the company its identity, says Sarah, is the team’s diverse professional experience.
“We all have industry backgrounds and have gained skills and knowledge across a range of disciplines from HR and marketing to financial services and compliance,” she added. “That insight into different areas gives us that added understanding of the roles that clients ask us to fill.”
One of those who made the transition from finance to recruitment is consultant Lauren Williams, who joined the firm’s Jersey office at the beginning of last year.
“One of the things we hear a lot from clients who are looking for a change is that they often spend their Sunday evenings dreading going back to work the next day,” she said. “Our aim is to find them jobs where that sense of dread becomes a thing of the past. Corny though it may sound, that is exactly what I’ve found since joining Alexander Daniels. It’s the first job I’ve had where it doesn’t feel like work because I love it so much.”
But while admitting that she has fallen on her feet, Lauren hadn’t originally intended to work for the firm.
“I’ve always been interested in recruitment but I came to the company because I was looking for a new role and thought they might be able to help,” she smiled. “They gave me the opportunity to join them and I’ve never looked back.”
That organic approach to growth sits, says fellow consultant Katherine McKerrell, at the heart of the company and helps to sustain and nurture its values.
“We are a relatively small team in Jersey, although it doesn’t feel small because we also benefit from the support and expertise of the Guernsey and UK teams,” she said. “While we are expanding, we are doing so organically and this is important because we don’t want to lose the relationships that we have. We are all very close here, which creates a supportive environment where we can discuss any issues we might have and benefit from each other’s knowledge and insights.”
That supportive environment also underpins the company’s focus on learning and development, something to which both Katherine and newest recruit Katie Miles testify.
“I initially joined the firm as a marketing and recruitment administrator but quickly saw the opportunity to progress as a consultant,” said Katherine, who brought ten years’ experience from the finance sector to the role. “The management team was very supportive of that ambition and I love the fact that the job is tremendously diverse. While my goal is to place candidates in jobs that they enjoy, it is also to create those long-lasting relationships with them, so that every time they consider their next step, they return to you.
“By being a friendly ear and offering this consultative approach, those relationships often develop into friendships, as people turn to you for advice and talk about their career goals.”
Also having joined the firm after working in finance, Katie was attracted to a career in recruitment as she felt it would be a “good match for my skills and personality”.
“I was thinking about moving to London but the opportunity at Alexander Daniels has enabled me to fulfil my passion while remaining in the Island,” she said. “I initially contacted the firm as I’d heard that it had a really good training programme, and that has certainly been the case. It’s a very fast-paced environment, so every day is different, but the support and training I receive from the team is incredible.”
One person working closely with Katie and supporting her professional development is Jersey manager Emilly Watson, who brought a decade of experience in recruitment to the firm when she joined in January 2023.
Echoing Sarah’s words, Emilly highlighted the company’s consultative approach.
“We offer a very personal service and focus on building relationships and friendships, rather than just relying on technology for communication,” she said. “We are also very thorough and the first thing we do is listen to both clients and candidates to understand their requirements. We don’t offer a matchmaking service; instead we ensure that we have all the nitty-gritty information and preferences from either side before putting someone forward to a company.
“This doesn’t just mean gathering information about the job role and the candidate’s skills but also about the ethos and values of each company and individual, so that we not only match roles and technical abilities but also cultures and attitudes.”
This, says Sarah, means that Alexander Daniels has gained tremendous trust and respect in the marketplace.
“I’ve been involved with the company since 2016 when the first offshore branch of Alexander Daniels opened in Guernsey,” she said. “At that point, the managing director of Alexander Daniels Offshore, Andy Partlow, was also based in Guernsey and, together with another colleague, we were recruiting staff for companies in both Jersey and Guernsey.
“By 2019, it was clear that there was an opportunity to establish another branch in Jersey, and it’s been great to see the team grow over the past five years.
“We now have four members of staff based permanently in Jersey, while I come over every week, and Andy, who is now in Birmingham, and Jonny Shilliday, who is based in Manchester, also regularly place candidates locally and make frequent trips to the Island.
“The combination of offices in Jersey and Guernsey, together with our head office in the UK, gives us a strong understanding of the financial services industries, and also helps us support candidates who are moving between locations.”
As well as helping candidates to find the right positions, the company plays a strong role in the community.
“We do a lot of work with students, highlighting the different career opportunities in the Island,” said Sarah. “A lot of people don’t realise how many opportunities there are to earn and learn and how many firms offer support with gaining professional qualifications, so we raise awareness of this.
“We also hold regular client events, and support different charities and community initiatives. This year, for example, we will be supporting the Jersey Child Care Trust through a range of networking and fundraising events, and we are also sponsoring Guernsey Together Festival. I would also encourage Islanders to watch our social-media channels where we will be sharing photos and successes from our events in Jersey and Guernsey and keeping you updated with what’s to come.”
For more information about Alexander Daniels Offshore’s services and career advice, visit alexanderdanielsoffshore.com.
