Science Meets Finance: Strategic Staffing Solutions for Syncona Investment Management Limited

Client Brief

Syncona is a leading healthcare company focused on creating, building and scaling a portfolio of global leaders in life science, with many of their companies sourced from exciting science at UK academic institutions. By providing infrastructure and back-office support, Syncona aids these companies in realizing their potential. Over the years, Syncona engaged Altum Consulting to recruit a permanent Financial Director (FD), Financial Controller (FC), and an interim FD for their portfolio companies, as well as a Financial Accountant for their head office.

Altum's Solution

Altum identified that for Syncona, candidates with an interest and knowledge in life sciences were particularly important, even for accountancy-related positions. Leveraging this insight, Altum focused on candidates with either an academic background in science or professional experience within a scientific environment. Through strategic headhunting, Altum successfully placed every role they worked on.

Execution and Results 

Every role Altum worked on resulted in successful placements. Nikki Padden, the Finance Director of Syncona, praised Altum's transparent and efficient process. She noted Robbie Anderson's understanding of the candidates Syncona was looking for and his commitment to not wasting time with unqualified candidates. One particularly challenging recruitment involved an interim FD's replacement. Robbie's expert handling of this issue around titles exceeded Syncona's expectations.

Client Testimonial

"I have worked with Robbie Anderson for several years and he is my preferred recruiter. We work together very well and there is transparency throughout the process, which is refreshing. Robbie understands the candidates we are looking for and does not waste time providing CVs that won't be of interest. We have placed some very good candidates over the years. I look forward to working with Robbie in the future as he makes the whole process easy."

- Nikki Padden, Finance Director, Syncona Investment Management Limited.