Efficient Executive Hire Success Story for St Edward’s School

A Recruitment Partnership with Allen Associates

St Edward’s School is one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent schools for pupils aged 13-18, set in the heart of North Oxford. Known for its academic excellence, vibrant community and outstanding breadth of experience, it offers a distinctive education and attracts staff of exceptional calibre.

Allen Associates has worked in partnership with St Edward’s since 2004, supporting their recruitment needs across a wide range of roles in administration, HR and finance. Over the past 20 years, we have successfully placed over 30 candidates in both temporary and permanent positions, building strong, trusted relationships with multiple departments along the way.

St Edward’s approached Allen Associates for support on a complex and time-sensitive campaign.

The Position

St Edward’s was recruiting for a Head of Finance, a critical role within the senior management team.
This was a highly selective and important hire, one that demanded an efficient, considered and confident approach.

Allen Associates’ Approach

An introduction was made to the Director of Finance and Corporate Services at St Edward’s School, which resulted in a thorough video meeting to uncover the specific requirements for the role.

Given the complexity and seniority of the role, our Managing Director, Elle, joined the initial briefing to ensure a fully bespoke and high-touch service.

The Allen Associates team responded immediately:

• Team-led candidate identification: Our consultants work collaboratively, sharing insight and knowledge across the business. This enabled us to immediately identify a standout candidate who had recently been interviewed for other senior finance roles.
• Candidate-first engagement: Before the job had even been written up, our lead consultant called the candidate to secure interest and assess suitability. She had previously worked within independent schools and understood the unique financial environment. It was a perfect match.
• Strong shortlist: We submitted four highly relevant candidates, all pre-qualified and aligned with the brief.
• Speed and quality: From taking the brief to securing the offer, the entire process took just one week. The successful candidate progressed from first interview to offer in under 72 hours, despite holding three other offers at higher salary levels. She chose St Edward’s due to the strength of the match and the school’s values and culture.

Our team’s sector knowledge, collaborative working model, and deep candidate relationships were critical to delivering results at pace. Unlike more transactional agency models, Allen Associates operates as a unified team, meaning clients benefit from the collective expertise and reach of the whole business, not just one consultant.

Results & Impact

• Time to hire: 1 week from brief to offer
• Speed of interview process: Offer made 72 hours after first interview
• Candidate competitiveness: Offer accepted over three higher-salaried roles

Client Satisfaction:

“The pleasure was all ours. I’ve never gone from CV to role acceptance in under 72 hours before! Many thanks to your team for delivering on the candidate and keeping up with the unusual pace.” Director of Finance and Corporate Services, St Edward’s School

Why Work with Allen Associates?

Specialist finance expertise: We understand the demands of senior finance roles and have a robust network of pre-assessed candidates across Oxfordshire.

• Tailored service: We invest time in understanding our clients’ needs, both technical and cultural and deliver a truly consultative experience.
• Collaborative team model: Every client benefits from the collective expertise and insight of our consultants, working together to find the right fit.
• Trusted partner: With decades of experience and a proven track record across Oxfordshire, Allen Associates is known for delivering fast, effective recruitment solutions, even in complex or high-pressure scenarios.

If you're struggling to find the right person for a senior finance role or simply need a recruitment partner who understands your business, contact us today at hello@allen-associates.co.uk or call 01865 335600.