The only multi-award-winning recruiter
specialising in senior talent (£60k+) for the
event and experiential sectors with a…
Get in touch when you need a new perspective
on solving classic hiring problems.
When Robert first introduced Fitability to me, I initially dismissed it as just another buzzword. However, as we progressed through the recruitment process, my perception changed. Robert proved himself by successfully filling a director-level role for us. He not only delivered on his promises but also took the time to understand not only the necessary skills but also the personality traits essential for success in our busy creative agency. The candidates he presented were well-prepared, and any of them could have excelled in the position. Having options made the final decision challenging but rewarding.
Robert stands out as more than a typical recruiter chasing quick fees. His diligent preselection process ensured that only the most suitable candidates remained on the shortlist. I wholeheartedly recommend Robert for any position that requires careful selection.Furthermore, Robert’s bold claims about his skills are backed up by an unprecedented 100% guarantee. While it usually takes time to truly know someone in a new role, Robert’s assurance makes taking risks easier. The thorough vetting process he undertakes minimises any potential risks associated with filling the position.
Paul Godwin
Robert recently worked with us to secure the placement of a key member of our executive team.
Robert’s ability to quickly grasp the key attributes we were looking for and then research and recommend a shortlist of relevant candidate was highly impressive.
Once we had decided upon our final selection, Robert’s advice was invaluable throughout the interview process and it was obvious that Robert had taken the time to get to know each of the candidates before he shortlisted them to us.
In short I would highly recommend Robert for any recruitment challenge
Phil Watton
We could have immediately hired two out of four shortlisted for the role and the other two were so good we found them other roles in the business.
The process was head and shoulders above any recruitment experience we've been through and the output backs this up.
Michael Gwilliam
He has a unique approach to recruitment with his bespoke formula and uses in-depth interviewing techniques to really delve into candidates' behaviour and personality to ensure the shortlist he puts forward is at the right level both in terms of experience and cultural fit.
Highly recommended
Lyn Chambers
He always ensured our best interests were at heart, whilst also challenging us to think differently based on his in-depth briefing sessions.
I will always recommend Robert to other companies looking to hire senior talent and he will be my first call when we next need support too.
Nicky Milligan
He certainly took the pain out of the process and made hiring the right person for a senior role in the business very easy.
His firm, direct approach to finding the right individual, combined with the time and effort spent with each potential candidate, made it feel like we were working with an external consultant and not a recruiting agency
Rob Goodman
I really felt as though you were invested in the success of our agency.
It was a very different experience from that of a standard recruiter and very refreshing
Sarah Cox
Robert took the time to understand not only the role and responsibilities, but also our agency, our culture, and our business priorities.
The initial process allowed us to refine the job description, so Robert had a clear picture of the person we were after.
The candidate selection was simple! Robert got all the CVs, interviewed all the candidates, and put forward the best.
I was impressed by how respectful he was of the agreed salary level - there were no surprises, no last minute negotiations, and no disappointments. It was a very transparent process from start to finish
Gema Rodriguez
The process was personal and absolutely hassle-free. We collaborated on the role itself and then were able to sit back while the candidates were presented. Every objective was achieved within the timeline agreed
Dan Bardgeft
Working with Robert is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual experience of recruitment agencies.
He really spent the time to understand our company and why the role was needed before initiating the search. He also asked the right questions to understand our core values, which meant the candidates put forward were far more likely to be a match. The candidate filtering and summary documents Robert produces really saves our time and adds value to the process, and we ended up with a great result in terms of the final appointment. Whenever we have openings at the right level, we'll always be picking up the phone to Robert!
George Foden
Robert is a dude and wont stop until you’ve found your unicorn.
Barney Sutton
"Working with Rob has not only been a pleasure but a refreshing approach to enhancing our team and recruiting real talent!
I have been absolutely blown away by his dedication to supporting our recruitment needs and most importantly our partnership has been filled with good conversation and humour!
I would highly recommend him although I would prefer to keep him to myself!"
Alexandra Bailey
"I love working with people who have an unusual approach and really know what they’re doing.
We commissioned Robert to help us with recruiting for an important senior position.
Not only did he deliver exactly as he said he would, but on a personal level I learnt a lot from the process and thoroughly enjoyed working with him"
Dan Orchard
"We worked with Robert on a critical hire that we were struggling to find the right quality of candidate.
The bespoke search identified a high-quality candidate that had thus far alluded us.
Offer and acceptance followed, and we are very grateful for the consultation"
Sean Philby
What can I say about Robert?
Work with this man if you want to find the gold!
Lorraine Hall
"Great experience working with Robert to find a Commercial Director. Four terrific candidates short-listed by Robert and couldn’t be happier with the successful candidate. Thank you!"
Dermot Kerrigan
"I worked with Rob filling a senior position. He understood what we were looking for, perhaps better than we did and came through with the right candidate that otherwise we would not of had the opportunity to meet.. great work"
Simeon Wicks
"I brought Robert in to support a client with a critical senior hire. Despite working with recruiters before, they weren’t seeing the right calibre of candidates—the true nature of the role and the company was getting lost in translation.
Robert’s approach was fresh, dynamic, and highly personalised from the start. His process delivered a strong shortlist, and the final interview left my client with an abundance of top-tier choices—resulting in a successful hire.
For any company or individual looking to make a senior hire, I highly recommend working with Robert to cut through the noise and find the right fit."
Lee Dennison
"I've known Robert for some time and always believed that, with his enviable network and exceptional skills, he would one day play a crucial role in emc3's growth.
That day came when we needed to conduct an executive-level search for a key team member, and Robert was instrumental in making it a success.
His expertise, diligence, and understanding of our needs made the process seamless, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.
I would highly recommend Robert and his services to anyone looking for a top-tier recruiter"
Alistair Graham
"Robert recently completed a successful recruitment of a Commercial Director for one of the business I work with.
Bear with this. Robert came recommended by a contact I trust. I'm not sure that I'd either have found him or been convinced to use his services if I hadn't had the recommend. I do understand the personal branding thing, but the yellow website was a bit challenging. I wondered if this was an approach that would suit me and the business.
However, the actual experience of using Robert has been brilliant, and one of (if not) the best over 25 years or so of using recruiters for various roles. They all say "I want to understand what you need", but Robert genuinely took time to do that, investing time to come and see the company and genuinely find out about both the role and what was needed from the person to fit into the company. He didn't rely on our Job Description, and indeed rewrote it based on the conversations. There was a bit of back and forth and debate, all done with patience and our needs at the centre.
He then built a brilliant shortlist, where all of the four candidates he presented were genuine contenders -probables not possibles. He'd spoken to quite a lot of people and ruled plenty out, so again he was investing time in this. There was none of the 'here's eight candidates, you decide' approach that some recruiters go for, he'd used the understanding to curate a plausible list. He then handheld us through the process, advising appropriately on both our process and how to manage candidates, for example, over a Christmas and Holiday break when the recruitment process was delayed.
We've only just appointed, so fingers crossed it all works out with the candidate, but in terms of the way it's worked with Robert, I cannot recommend him highly enough. Look past the yellow website - well worth speaking to him.
It's refreshing to use a recruiter who works really hard and uses skills and experience to achieve a genuinely useful outcome. There are other good ones out there, and others I'd recommend, but Robert is genuinely out of the top drawer."
Not everyone I work with loves me straight away, but I'm glad Chris Downham could see past the branding and I'm glad I could help Active Training Team Ltd with this pivotal hire.
Thank you for putting your trust in me.
Chris Downham
Live Events and experiential recruitment with no risk, all reward
Finding the people you need, or your money back
Don’t settle for subpar recruitment. 20+ years says I know the challenges and intricacies of the Live Events and Brand Experience sectors and have recruited across all facets.
That’s why I vow to get it right first time or give you every penny back.
It’s not that I’m brave, I just know it works.
Fair warning* I’m like a dog with a bone.
I won’t let go until the job is done.
I don’t play a numbers game, so I can focus on getting it right every time.
Get in touch if you’d like a new perspective on solving classic hiring problems.
Specialising in events and experiential talent above £60k
I find the very best senior talent within:
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Account Management
Business Development
Client Services
Creative
Marketing
Operations
Production
Project Management
Strategy & Planning
These are the job titles I work with every day:
Account Director
Brand Experience Director
Business Development Director
Business Director
CEO
CFO
Client Services Director
CMO
Commercial Director
Content Director
COO
Creative Strategist
Digital Director
Event Director
Executive Creative Director
Executive Producer
Group Account Director
Head of Client Services
Head of Creative Services
Head of Events
Head of Sales
Head of Strategy
Managing Director
Operations Director
Planning Director
Production Director
Project Director
Senior Account Director
Senior Producer
Senior Project Director
Senior Project Manager
Senior Strategist
Staffing Director
Don’t see yours? Shout anyway. If you’re seeking a senior hire in the events industry, I’m sure I can help!
Fitability®
It’s so good, I stuck a trademark on it.
Why?
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More about Fitability®
My job adverts and video explainers help you stand out from the crowd.
It’s all about who I know, namely my expansive database and extended network of events leaders.
My intensive briefing sessions dig deep below the surface to uncover the details that truly matter in your next hire.
I refine your job descriptions to give candidates a clear picture so they can make choices with confidence.
My thorough screening process saves you time by whittling down our shortlist to the most suitable people only.
Brand and culture sessions give candidates the chance to learn all about your business and working environment.
Get to know the people you’re meeting through our transcribed interviews and candidate overviews.
I use NDAs for your discretion, and candidates are only sent to you once they’ve given their explicit consent.
Always risk free
You know those sliding scale rebates? Where you have to quibble with accounts for a sum that may cover a round of drinks? I hate them.
That’s why I provide a 6-month 100% rebate as standard
Fitability® is always risk-free.
Don’t take my word for it, watch a highly polished 4K video with me reading a script a copywriter wrote.
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Still need convincing?
How do I back up how good I say I am? By getting you results.
20+ years says I know how to find and attract people to keep your business in the best possible shape, no matter what.
Expect trust, truth, and dogged determination.
I’ve given 21,000+ hours to help those who fell out of work during the pandemic. I created a scholarship to support underrepresented talent. Not-so-humble brags aside, this means you’ll get to work with someone who actually cares about our industry
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