Member Article

December’s North East spotlight series: Richard Deas

Richard Deas, Director at Newcastle-based recruitment agency Search BI, shares his festive thoughts with Bdaily.

Your business

What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

It has to be achieving success in international markets. We have secured overseas clients (we have companies based in the US and are helping them to build divisions in the UK), while being recognised in the top quarter of recruitment consultancies working with the big four in BI (Business Intelligence) and Agile technologies and affirming our position as the first choice for multiple clients who have come to us with exclusive recruitment projects have to be up there as major highlights.

We have also grown the team in 2015, building on the foundations laid down last year, and considering we are only in our second year of business, the number of clients who came back to us for repeat business thanks to our expertise and services has also been a big personal boost for both my fellow director Mark Harbottle and myself.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

As a national business, the chance for us to meet more of our clients face-to-face would have been ideal. Due to the speed of the market we can’t always do that but we are hoping to arrange a few more coffee breaks in London early 2016.

Is there anything we should watch out for SearchBI doing next year?

We are continually watching the IT sector and have plans to grow the business in a new sector next year, which will be linked to the BI market and powered by demand from clients. As the business continues to grow in 2016, we’ll be able to support this with further new appointments, bringing in additional experience to strengthen the existing UK team.

It would also be great to get a nomination, or perhaps sponsor an award at next year’s Dynamites’ event, which has been a terrific occasion for the last two years that we have attended - we always strive to add value to our specialist markets, not just exist in them!

Your favourites

Have any other North East companies impressed you this year, if so - why?

We have kept a close eye on innovative training and resource solutions provider DevAcademy, who are also a client and happen to be based in the same building as us. They are an exciting prospect for 2016, coming to the market with a genuinely unique offering that meets the needs of a sector lacking fresh blood with industry experience. Its training program coupled with the “on-site” experience, is just what the IT sector needs.

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to destress?

Play golf…badly. It’s a great way to blow away the cobwebs, step-away from the pressures of work and take time to regroup. It’s important in our busy 24/7 global world to find time to take a step back; and in doing so you can re-focus on achieving those goals - be it business or personal. Don’t ask for my handicap though!

Have any social media accounts caught your eye this year, any favourite pages or people to follow?

Former Dragons’ Den, recruitment company owner and executive headhunter James Caan’s LinkedIn contributions are always worth a read. He offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, both in the recruitment industry and the wider business world.

The what ifs

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

I’m doing a job I love. It may sound a little trite but my career keeps me motivated and sharp, and I couldn’t imagine working in any other field. Having said that, being involved in the old BBC Top Gear or the upcoming re-brand would be a pretty close second.

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Argh, a tricky one that…I’d have to say to my younger self that ‘free bars’ aren’t a challenge and to stay focused on your goals while ensuring that you make more time for those people who are important to you - the older you get the harder it is to find the time.

What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

Earlier this year my now fiancé gave me the best gift I could ask for by agreeing to be my wife and tolerate me for the rest of her life. Aside from that, I will be happy with a few pairs of fancy socks under the Christmas tree this year.

Many thanks Richard, all the best this Christmas.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →