About bfpeople
bfpeople works with ambitious business owners and leaders, like you, to find your leaders and develop your people.
I wanted a different kind of recruitment and people consulting business
The image and reputation of the recruitment industry has been poor for a long time. Today, it seems, everyone is a headhunter. Although for many that just means bombarding people on LinkedIn.
I had worked for – and held very senior roles in – big consulting firms. Some of them can be guilty of being more interested in getting their fee than making a great appointment.
I wanted to change that and so I was happy to acquire bfpeople in 2012.
I wanted to run an integrated people consulting business. One that brings together the best of recruitment, assessment, leadership development and coaching. One where executive search uses personality and leadership questionnaires to learn more about candidates – and clients. Where new hires receive help with onboarding and coaching. And one where coaching and development never loses sight of today’s high expectations and demands of leadership.
A recruitment and people consulting firm you can trust
Who do we work with?
In over 30 years of trading, we have worked with clients of all sizes in almost every industry in the commercial, public, and third sectors. To name a few, this includes manufacturers, designers, distributors, retailers and wholesalers. Others include musicians, broadcasters, artists, marketers and advertisers, builders and architects, bankers, investors and founders. Not to forget start-ups, technology, energy, IT and SaaS, food & drink and health & beauty. Last, but not least, we also work with a variety of government bodies, NDPBs, and charities.
We also work directly with a growing number of ambitious leaders. who view assessment and coaching as a key part of their on-going self-development.
We work best with leaders and employers who want to do things the right way. They want to work with a people consulting partner who will be candid and direct. They don’t want quick fixes. And they value the time and effort required to get the right result.
bfpeople’s people
The bfpeople team brings vast experience and expertise to all projects. We have a small core staff and make great use of a long-established team of trusted associates. This group consists of chartered psychologists, qualified executive coaches, HR experts, innovative recruiters, and resourceful researchers. Every project is unique and requires its own approach and skill set. We have the depth and breadth to deliver.
bfpeople also offers international reach. In addition to our own international business and consulting experience, we have a carefully curated network of experts in recruitment, assessment, and leadership advisory consulting. Our network extends across Europe, South East Asia, India and North America. Whether you have business units overseas or are looking to establish a new operation we can support with local knowledge and advice.
John Hamilton leads the business. He has more than 20 years’ experience of recruiting, leading and coaching people through leadership roles in large organisations. He has also founded consulting, design and manufacturing companies. His global business experience covers Europe, USA, GCC and APAC. John has worked with graduates to CEOs in many industries including government, energy, automotive and aerospace, through manufacturing and technology to retail and hospitality.
“We’re not the biggest firm out there. And we’re definitely not the loudest.
But we punch above our weight, doing great work with great clients.
We just quietly get on with the job of finding your leaders and developing your talent.”
John Hamilton
We also work directly with a growing number of ambitious leaders. who view assessment and coaching as a key part of their on-going self-development.
We work best with leaders and employers who want to do things the right way. They want to work with a people consulting partner who will be candid and direct. They don’t want quick fixes. And they value the time and effort required to get the right result.
We’re not the biggest, or the loudest, firm out there. We quietly get on with doing a good job for our clients. We know that “fit” is just as important when choosing a consultant as it is when hiring your own key staff. Put bfpeople on the short list for your next project and see how we measure up.
Things we are often asked
Brian Ford-Powell founded BFP Executive Recruitment in 1990. Everyone called Brian, and the firm, “BFP”. Brian retired and sold the business in 2003 but the name stayed the same.
When buying the BFP Executive Recruitment business in 2012, we did not want to lose the legacy of the BFP name, or Brian. A new name needed to reflect a broader “people consulting” approach so we put BFP together with people – bfpeople.
So, BF simply stands for Brian Ford – two-thirds of the name of a very good man!
Most of the projects we are involved with are at senior leadership or management level in our clients.
But, the principles, and processes, apply to most positions in organisations. We have recruited for the most difficult people to find at all levels and we have supported production operatives through redundancy. We have designed training schemes and campaigns for graduate trainees, and conducted psychometric assessments for volume junior and non-skilled hires.
Talk to John about your potential project. We won’t take on anything we either can’t do, or don’t think will be successful.
We have clients across the UK. We also work with many international businesses through our membership of ERI, the global executive search and leadership advisory network.
Online meetings are very time-efficient for initial discussions with clients and candidates. Some coaching and feedback sessions take place very effectively on Teams or Zoom, too. But there are many situations when it is best for people to be together, in the room. More so when it involves three or more people, or when the nuances of the discussion are important.
We will always consider the cost and time of travel and meeting in person. And will always do whatever will produce the best outcome.
Many consulting firms have salespeople, or partners, who sell the work. Then they send in consultants, who sometimes have limited experience.
bfpeople is an owner-led business and John is involved in every engagement. He will either lead the design and delivery or coordinate the activities of the hand-picked team.
The chemistry between consultants, sponsors, and participants is essential to the success of any project. You will never work with someone you haven’t met and don’t have confidence in.
We appreciate that you have many choices when you’re buying consulting services. Every firm tells you they are the best and different from the rest. Very few are, of course.
At this point you probably don’t know us yet. For now, you’ll have to trust us when we say we will deliver great results and provide sound advice. You’ll have to take our word that we will add value to your business – and really help the people who take part in projects.
We treat all our work as confidential. Much is completed under NDAs. But, if you’re serious about working with us, we’ll be happy to put you in contact with people we have worked with.
However, we don’t want to work with everyone. We only work with ambitious organisations that want to recruit, develop and retain the best people they can.
And we don’t always want to do everything for you.
We help clients to do more themselves:
These are just some of the things we love to talk about when we’re asked “What makes you different?”