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Richard Wheeler Associates Celebrates 35 Years

Big thanks to those who we’ve walked alongside these past decades!  From the people who started out as candidates in the late 80’s to the new tech start-ups and scale-ups working with RWA today.

Yes indeed! It really has been a journey. Some reflections from Richard Wheeler:

Q: What was the mission of RWA when you started the business in 1987 and has this changed? 

From the outset RWA’s business model has been about identifying standout people for standout tech companies - through focusing on extreme quality and, in doing so, forging long term partnerships. Has this changed? No!

Q: How has the recruitment process evolved for both candidates and companies in this permanent tech recruitment space?

In the late 1980’s most IT candidates read weekly IT printed magazines, CVs were sent in the post or faxed, and meetings (interviews / clients) were face-to-face in the office, client site or over the phone.  

Today we work remotely, using a wide range of technology in a massively more complex, sophisticated and fast-moving environment. To take just one example: RWA’s SEO aims to ensure our jobs pages rank high enough on Google. However, our industry is ultimately a people one: the real difference and added value comes from how effectively we work with people.

Q: What do you feel is the biggest strength of RWA today?

Our reputation for ‘getting it right’, day-in, day-out, has come about through attention to detail, extreme care, listening and understanding. This allied to our industry contacts, experience, judgement, intuition. And telling it straight. The results have then taken care of themselves. 

Q: What is RWA’s rate of success?

We aim for a job offer per 2 candidates shortlisted.

Q: What has made RWA stand out from other recruitment agencies?

RWA has its roots in Search & Selection - and with it the rigour of candidate interviewing, qualified shortlists, care and accountability. Further, 35 years brings with it an ocean of experience which in turn shapes judgement. For our pioneering clients - within AI & Data Analytics, MedTech, Cyber Security, CleanTech & Renewables, IoT - weight of experience, connections and judgement are really what we have to share. 

RWA has remained small in size, something our clients value for the greater accountability and consistency it provides.

Q: What are you most proud of?

Multiple engineers have gone on to design globally recognised software products, and/or have moved to the very top in these same companies - or started their own businesses, and perhaps timed their IPOs to perfection! Either way they’ve found a home for their talents, made a pivotal difference to their employers’ business and to other people. And sometimes even the market. 

Along the way we’ve helped build tech businesses from the ground up and are still doing so today. 

Life is about choices, and so to throw our weight and experience behind hiring projects in the Cleantech and Medtech sectors is especially satisfying.

Q: Where can we find you when you're not at work?

Hiking, working in a woodland garden that I began 17 years ago, writing poetry ('I of Modern Nature' is published by Cambria Books), catching live music, volunteering, communing with wildlife.

RWA is listed as one of the top 15 recruitment agencies in the UK.

Experience the difference! Get in touch if you would value a chat about your technology recruitment plans.