Case study: Building a strategic finance recruitment partnership for a global retail group

Hays partnered with a global convenience retail group to transform its approach to finance recruitment, evolving from a transactional supplier to a trusted long term talent partner.
 

Overview 

A leading international operator within the convenience retail, food service and fuel sector, this organisation employs tens of thousands of people across the globe. As the organisation evolved – including the creation of a global finance function – the group required a recruitment partner capable of supporting sustained transformation at scale. 

Challenge 

Hays initially engaged with the organisation as part of a large preferred supplier list, supporting a short-term finance project. The relationship was transactional, with challenges around market perception, a fragmented recruitment approach and a historically weak employer value proposition (EVP) for finance talent. 

The organisation faced a set of structural, and perception-led challenges that limited its ability to attract and engage high-calibre finance talent. 
 

These challenges included:

• Fragmented hiring:
  Multiple agencies in use, combined with a disengaged talent function, limiting consistency and ownership. 

• Market perception:
  Difficulty accessing top‑calibre finance talent due to perceptions of high churn, low reward and a weaker EVP.

• Commercial constraints:
  Historically low fee rates reducing appetite for investment and limiting agency commitment.

Solution

Hays adopted a consultative approach, presenting openly to senior stakeholders on market challenges and outlining what would need to change to attract the right talent. This included supporting the development of a more compelling EVP, improving recruitment processes and agreeing revised commercial terms to enable sustainable high-quality delivery.

Additionally, a cross-regional finance task force was created, supported by a dedicated account manager to ensure consistency and accountability. Tailored candidate collateral was created to reposition the group’s finance function as a business in transformation, offering genuine scope, impact and progression.

Outcome 

The partnership delivered a step change in recruitment performance and long term value for the organisation’s global finance function:

• Hays transitioned from a second tier supplier to the group’s best performing and trusted recruitment partner within 18 months
• Exclusive recruitment partnerships established across multiple group businesses and finance specialisms
• A strong, sustainable finance talent pipeline created, supporting the organisation’s evolving global structure
• Employer perception improved, enabling access to higher quality finance talent previously out of reach
• A strategic, long term partnership embedded, focused on transformation and talent outcomes rather than short term hires

Looking to strengthen your finance recruitment strategy for long term growth?

Speak to our accountancy and finance recruitment specialists to build sustainable talent pipelines, improve employer perception, and deliver lasting value through strategic partnership.
 

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