Bamboo Crowd has played an instrumental role in helping us build our innovation services team. The access to their pool of high calibre applicants has allowed us to fill roles within weeks rather than the months it has taken in the past.
- Head of HR and Operations
PLEXAL’S JOURNEY TO FINDING THE RIGHT LEADER TO SCALE THEIR INNOVATION HUB
WHO IS PLEXAL?
Founded in 2017, Plexal is not your average co-working space. It’s an accelerator, an innovation hub, and a breeding ground for tech startups with big aspirations. With its focus on fostering the growth of emerging companies, Plexal has established itself as a vital part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, hosting hackathons, innovation challenges, and offering mentorship to startups in various stages of their growth. Plexal has also launched successful initiatives such as Plexiglass, an accelerator dedicated to female founders, and LORCA, a program designed for top cybersecurity companies.
THE CHALLENGE: FINDING A LEADER WHO CAN DRIVE BOTH INNOVATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH
As Plexal expanded its impact in the local community and beyond, the need for a dynamic leader became apparent. This wasn’t just any hire; they needed someone who could steer the business forward while driving innovation and managing day-to-day operations. This person needed a unique blend of skills in technology, strategy, and leadership, someone who could propel Plexal to new heights.
But time was of the essence. Plexal had a vision, and they needed a leader who could not only fit the bill but also add value immediately. The pressure to identify someone who could bring fresh perspectives and effectively guide the business through its growth phase was immense.
THE SOLUTION: EXECUTIVE SEARCH WITH A HUMAN-FOCUSED APPROACH
To meet this challenge, Bamboo Crowd stepped in with a tailored Executive Search service, designed to find the perfect candidate within a compressed timeline. We knew Plexal needed more than just a strategic hire; we needed to find someone who could connect with their culture, vision, and ambitious goals. Here’s how we delivered:
Workshopping. Working directly with their Founder and HR Director, we facilitated a workshop not only to learn more about Plexal, but also to help shape and build the brief; assessing the skill gaps, opportunity areas and growth strategy.
Employee Candidate Pack Development. Using the insights we unlocked through workshops, we developed a powerful employer brand story and proposition to take to market. This resulted in a 10-page deck that brought the Plexal brand to life, showcasing their culture, vision and the opportunity there for future employees.
Market Mapping. Our assigned search team completed a deep analysis of Plexal’s market, identifying their key competitors and talent pockets, as well as using our internal talent map.
Outreach. Using this knowledge base as a platform for outreach, we began our search for Plexal’s leader across our network of innovators and influencers, where we were able to identify and attract talent quickly.
Process Management. As a recruitment partner, we were able to help shape Plexal’s recruitment process to ensure their candidate experience was both engaging and representative of their business. We organised meetings and interviews with candidates, providing each person with full briefings pre- and post-interview, and managed the offer negotiation process.
THE IMPACT: A TRANSFORMATIVE HIRE WHO DELIVERED IMMEDIATE VALUE
The results speak for themselves. Within four weeks of our initial workshop, we helped Plexal hire their new Head of Innovation. This wasn’t just a temporary fix; it was a strategic move that has continued to pay off. The candidate, who was a perfect cultural and strategic fit, quickly made a significant impact on Plexal’s operations. In fact, they’ve since progressed into the Chief Innovation Officer role, helping lead Plexal into its next phase of growth.
Beyond just this one hire, we’ve continued to support Plexal’s efforts, helping them scale their innovation team as they expand their influence in the industry.
We provided an Executive Search service to support Plexal in identifying multiple executive hires and we've continued to work with the team to scale out their innovation team.
- Dan Wileman - Head of Strategy Recruitment
WHY IT WORKED: THE POWER OF A PARTNER THAT GETS IT
What set this recruitment process apart was our ability to truly understand Plexal’s needs—both immediate and long-term—and our commitment to finding a leader who could align with their purpose. Through careful, thoughtful sourcing and a strategic partnership approach, we were able to bring Plexal a leader who didn’t just fill the role, but who truly understood how to drive innovation within their ecosystem.
FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO BUILD A WINNING TEAM JUST LIKE PLEXAL
Are you ready to make the right hires for your team and drive innovation like Plexal? Fill out the form below, and let’s start a conversation about your hiring needs. Whether you’re looking to scale or build a leadership team, Bamboo Crowd can help you find the right people who align with your vision and culture.
Our Executive Search service is for businesses that need someone specific. We have an unrivalled network across the innovation industry that has taken over a decade to build. Whatever your needs, we have the experience and resources to help you find the right person. Get in touch with Dan Wileman to hear more – dan@bamboocrowd.co.uk
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