We're excited to reintroduce our People Behind the Brand series, aiming to spotlight the incredible individuals who work across our network of Orbis Group Brands.
In today's People behind the Brands, the series where you get to know our teammates, we sat down with Nick Reilly, our Senior Manager at OFS.
We chatted about all things financial services, prioritising mental health as a leader, the challenges of recruitment and a cabin in the woods!
10 questions for 10 years of Orbis Group - let’s jump in.
Nick, last time we interviewed you, you were a Managing consultant in the Financial Services team within Orbis. Now being promoted to Senior Manager (congratulations!) and helping head up our new OFS brand, how have you found this journey?
The journey from Managing Consultant to Senior Manager has been both challenging and rewarding!
Leading the new OFS brand has given me a lot more responsibility and has helped me develop more in strategic planning, business development and become a better team leader. I am continuously learning, whether that be about balancing our client’s needs with long-term goals or navigating the world of finance in the modern world, there is always something new to discover in this industry.
Working with the talented team at OFS to build out the financial services sector has been incredibly fulfilling. Overall, the support from my colleagues and the leadership team has been invaluable and I am excited about the future of OFS.
How do you feel about kickstarting this brand? Where do you see OFS going?
Kickstarting the OFS brand has been an exciting experience. It’s a great feeling to be at the forefront of something new and impactful, especially in an industry as fast-paced as financial services.
I see OFS as a leader in the financial services recruitment sector, known for its exceptional client service and innovative solutions. Our goal is to exceed expectations by using cutting-edge technology to adapt quickly to market trends.
I feel a great sense of pride and responsibility in shaping the direction and success of OFS. With our talented team and clear vision, I am confident that OFS will achieve significant growth and make a lasting impact in the industry.
What are you most excited about in the Financial Services Industry at the moment?
Clients starting to hire again.
You’ve been in the recruitment industry for more than a decade, have you ever wanted to quit? And if so, what kept you going?
More times than I care to count! Sadly, I never managed to see it through before I got a mortgage and was locked into the rat race.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome since joining the industry?
My own apathy towards it - which is overshadowed only by my apathy towards the rec-to-rec industry. My dreams are haunted by a dystopian future in which our whole economy is reliant upon a never-ending chain of recruitment.
Who or what inspired you to be a leader and why?
I was mainly inspired by the bad managers I’ve had in the past.
I’m someone who feels strongly about things being done a certain way and I’ve resented the times, in the past, when I’ve had to work for managers who (I felt) didn’t care about their employees, the culture or didn’t listen to feedback.
In the end, I realised that the only way for me to work in an environment that I really felt positive about, was to move into a position where I could create that environment for others.
How do you look after your mental health as a leader?
With difficulty.
It is a cliche to talk about the ups and downs of recruitment, but there are a lot when you are a manager. You experience them not just for yourself, but for everyone in your team too.
I try to prioritise daily exercise and not overload myself with client events in the evenings, though I often fail at both.
What is something you wish you could tell your younger self?
Don’t stay in recruitment.
But if you are going to, then be yourself and focus on building long-term relationships with people you value and respect, and who value and respect you.
Enough about work; do you have any hobbies? Side hustles? What are you passionate about?
I love all sports - watching and playing, so a lot of my time outside of work is doing some kind of physical activity. The rest is spent ruining all of that good work by drinking and eating too much.
Other than that, I am currently renovating a cabin in East Sussex with my brother which I’m really enjoying. It's hard work and we are making slow progress as we only have time to go down once or twice a year to work on it, but in 15 years, I’m sure it will have all been worth it!
Give us your best ‘dad joke’!
How do you get 100 Pikachus on a bus? You Pokemon
