In today's edition of People Behind the Brand, the series where you get to know the Orbis team, we sat down with Henry Hickley, Head of Client Engagement in FS at Orbis.
We chatted all about his background in tech, why he made the move to recruitment, as well as the role that parenthood plays in his career and some key lessons he's learned along the way!
Tell us about your journey to recruitment…
Many people say they ‘fall into’ recruitment, for me it was a natural step, but it was someone else’s idea that gave me the push!
One of the founders at the recruitment firm I first worked for put the idea into my head: “your knowledge and relationships would be a powerful addition to a recruitment firm ..”
Originally I spent most of my career in management roles in tech & ops in Asset Management and spent some time in consultancy too.
Working in Recruitment has also helped get my children started on the career ladder coming out of university (I’m not sure they needed it looking back!)
What's the best part of the job?
It gives me a reason to engage with my professional friends, many of whom I have known since their early careers. I joke that my job is about having lunch with my friends!
I find it particularly pleasing when I am able to help one of those friends advance their career.
What's the biggest challenge?
Honestly, it’s probably getting a hold of people, everyone is busy and even when you are close to someone and they want to engage it’s difficult to find the time.
What’s something you wish you’d known at the start of your career?
EQ vs. IQ. Emotional intelligence and softer skills such as reading people are critical. There’s a danger in perfectionism – and you don’t want to be too clever!
In another life... If you weren't a recruiter, what would you be doing?
Probably a head of technology; though when I was a head of technology the ½ life was 5 years and it has since reduced – so more likely a lead software engineer.
What I would have liked to have been is really good-looking, then I would have done something with that!
Or, a professional clarinet player.
Why financial services? Do you find it a particularly exciting or interesting market to work within?
Financial markets have tended to attract very high calibre talent, always good to work with. Of course in the current world, the major tech firms have become as and more attractive to top talent.
I see the world to some degree through the eyes of my children– I don’t want to embarrass them with specifics but their early career perspectives help inform my own.
For you, networking is an important aspect of the job and something you’ve really been able to leverage. What’s your top tip for building key professional relationships?
It’s not something I approach as a process. It’s important to recognise that the relationship itself is more important than any potential gain.
Tell us about your background with events and why they’re an effective tool…
I’ve only been doing events for a couple of years, and they started at the beginning of the lockdown from a client’s request to help them in talking to peers.
They’ve been effective as they helped all parties with developing relationships and provided the opportunity for open “amongst friends” dialogue with peers.
Your background is quite varied and extensive across technology, finance and consulting, and you’ve been a founder of your own business. Across them all, what are the key lessons or skills you’ve brought with you from your previous roles?
I had the luxury early in my career of building technology automation from the ground up for a major asset manager, so I understand how things join up in that domain.
In terms of lessons, it’s quite a small world, so behave accordingly.
