Case study: Multi-role recruitment | University of London
We were delighted to support the University of London with the recruitment for their multiple roles. Read on to learn more about the process.
Brief
Having substantial experience in recruiting specialist development and alumni professionals through multi-role campaigns in the higher education sector, Peridot was chosen as the best recruitment partner to help realise this vision.
Through highly detailed briefings with Bill Abraham, Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and a range of other key stakeholders and decision makers, we developed an overall vision to work towards while also creating unique briefs for each specialist position. Crucially, we needed to balance recruiting six very different positions simultaneously.
However, with a strong track of success juggling complex campaigns (including partnering with Imperial College London, King’s College London, London Business School, University of Bath, University of Exeter, University of Oxford and others, to appoint their new senior development teams), we were adept at creating bespoke campaigns, balanced timelines (taking into consideration crucial pinch points and importantly, stakeholder diary availability) and enticing story telling content.
We created a robust campaign, incorporating advertising, social media promotion and database search; however, this was fundamentally underpinned by a heavy emphasis on targeted search and candidate engagement (based on bespoke headhunting) to identify the right people and develop their interest. This is where we add the most value by ensuring we not only identify the right people but also engage them thoroughly throughout the search. We naturally focused on London but also on wider geographical regions, as well as on internationally based candidates seeking to relocate, coming from higher education, charity, public and private-sector backgrounds.
Category: Case studies
Consultant in charge
James Hunt
Director | Membership & Development
James Hunt is a senior executive search specialist with over two decades of experience connecting exceptional leaders with purpose-driven organisations. As Head of Not for Profit Appointments at Peridot Partners, he has led 300 specialist, senior and board-level searches across the UK's charity, membership and higher-education sectors.
His portfolio spans appointments for organisations as wide-ranging as the Chartered Insurance Institute, Stonewall, University of London, IOSH and Migrant Help. James is trusted for his insight, rigour and empathy when working with boards navigating complexity or transition.
Inclusive recruitment is central to his approach. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, neurodivergent and an immigrant who has made the UK home, James draws on lived experience to embed fairness and belonging into every search. He is a Trustee and sits on two Committees of a large charity, and is a member of Peridot's EDI, L&D and People Committees. He actively challenges assumptions, opens space for underrepresented voices and builds transparent, psychologically safe recruitment journeys.
James believes that great leadership is grounded in vulnerability, creativity and empathy. These values shape his work with candidates and clients alike, helping to build long-term relationships and leadership teams that reflect the societies they serve.
