As the year draws to a close, and I assess our plans for 2025, I find myself reflecting on the incredible partnerships we’ve built. Business is built on relationships, and they are the foundation of everything we do, enabling us to deliver exceptional outcomes for our stakeholders, whether internal, external, client or candidate.
2024 has reinforced for me the transformative power of collaboration. When we work closely with our clients, the impact goes far beyond simply filling roles, you become an extension of your client’s business. By deeply engaging with our clients through recruitment processes, placements, and regular meetings we gain a deep understanding of their culture, strategy, and challenges. This greater involvement allows us not only to align talent with organisational needs but also to act as brand ambassadors in the market. In return, as a third party, in many instances it enables us to collaborate on continuous improvements and solutions that enhance their broader practices. As an external partner we are given reputational feedback, insights into market perception in comparison to competitors and we identify risks with our client’s people attraction and retention strategy.
We become a confidante not only for our candidates but the client stakeholders that we develop relationships with. As an executive search business we understand the ebb and flow of our engagements, today’s candidate is tomorrow’s client and vice versa.
One of the most valuable part of these partnerships is the trust they foster. The more we connect with our clients, the better we understand their businesses. We’re not just matching resumes to job descriptions; we’re aligning people with purpose, culture, and strategy. This alignment significantly reduces the risk of a misaligned hire, ensuring candidates are not only capable but also primed to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
For our clients, this means a streamlined process that delivers results quickly without compromising quality. For candidates, it means stepping into roles where they can grow, contribute, and feel truly valued.
I take immense pride in knowing that our approach delivers this kind of dual benefit.
Every successful placement is a shared achievement. It reflects the partnership we have with our clients, our ability to understand their needs, provide insights, and deliver meaningful solutions. It also reflects the candidates’ trust in us to guide their career transitions and align them with opportunities where they can excel.
When Richard Triggs and I started Arete Executive nearly 16 years ago we chose the word ‘Arete’ as the meaning was “Excellence bound up with the notion of fulfillment of purpose or function, the act of living up to one’s full potential.” We wanted to build a business to support individuals and organisations to fulfill their purpose and unlock their full potential through the power of attracting, engaging and connecting people.
This year we have also added the word Kardia as a key value. Kardia is a Greek word that means “Heart and spirit indicating genuine care and sincerity in one’s action”, a fitting value to live by.
Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. When we partner deeply and meaningfully, we create solutions that transform businesses and careers alike. As we look ahead to 2025, I’m excited about the opportunities to deepen these partnerships further, ensuring that we continue to deliver excellence with heart and purpose. Together, we can unlock potential and create lasting impact.
Fiona Cochran is an experienced Executive Search specialist, Executive Career Coach and operational leader with over 20 years’ experience within the talent advisory sector. She specialises in leading teams to identify and implement solutions for clients’ people problems. She is a Co-Founder of Arete Executive and has recently re-joined the business to work with Richard Triggs and the fabulous team of Arete Executive – Executive Search & Executive Career Coaching.
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