Why Berwick Partners was the right career move for me

We spoke to Colin Roope, who joined Berwick Partners’ Manufacturing & Engineering practice in August last year. Colin has had a phenomenal start to his Berwick career, placing several high-profile roles at functional leadership, director and executive board level. 

We discussed why Berwick made sense as a career move, how his first nine months here have confirmed it was the right decision for him and asked a few questions about his experience so far. 

We’re part of the Odgers Berndtson group; what are the benefits of this, for a Berwick consultant? 

As part of the UK’s leading executive search firm, and one of the world’s most renowned, we benefit from our exceptional reputation and the access this provides to key people in the industry.  The database we have built over the past 50 years is exceptionally strong; we have a network of great clients and candidates that has been cultivated over time, with a focus on quality interaction. 

One of the things that has stood out for me has been the reach our firm possesses, and our ability to simply pick up the phone to an industry leader to ask for recommendations of candidates within their network. Very few of our competitors have this level of access and reach. We recruit challenging roles, where candidates are not always visible through traditional search methods. This access really is a differentiator. 

What are the benefits of working for a ‘big, small company’ within the group? 

The ability to make quick decisions, and the flexibility in our approach that is required to meet our clients’ needs. 

Berwick Partners and Odgers are big enough to matter, but small enough to care. As a business, we are non-political and highly collaborative. I am often involved in discussions with my counterparts across the group, and we jointly meet clients and candidates where there is cross-over. Unlike larger organisations, there is no internal competition for business; we work together as a single team. Working for a privately owned, partner led organisation means decisions are taken with a long-term view in mind. 

Has anything else particularly impressed you about the Berwick way of doing things? 

The quality of my colleagues, from support staff to fee earners, is exceptionally strong. I am proud to work with colleagues so passionate about delivering exceptional results for their clients, with a huge focus on internal collaboration. 

From a business development and relationship building point of view, our events are fantastic. We benefit from having a dedicated in-house team, completely focused on delivering best-in-class events, attracting the highest calibre of guests from commerce and the public sector. I have been blown away by these events – and my enthusiasm is mirrored by our guest feedback. 

Finally, can you give us an insight into what it means to be a Berwick consultant? 

The life of a Berwick consultant is varied. Time is blended between strengthening the relationships with our clients; identifying transformational talent for their businesses; working with colleagues to share insight and introductions; personal development; and brilliant social activities. Since joining, I have really enjoyed the team social events (even karaoke!), the week-long Unlimited festival – celebrating diversity and inclusion – and our quarterly away days. The firm is incredibly inclusive and encourages work life balance, which I have appreciated as my golf has not suffered too much since joining! 

For our latest internal vacancies and for further information about joining Berwick Partners please contact Jennie Green.