At Charisma, we believe that our success is built on our commitment to people. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and respected. Our commitment then is:

<h2>Our commitment</h2>

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Best industry practice for the best recruitment experience
It begins with our internal processes. We put equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at the heart of our induction and CPD, including unconscious bias and inclusivity training for our whole team. We can also support you to make sure your own EDI strategy is so much more than a tick box exercise.

Charisma are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion to shape a stronger sector

Equality, diversity, and inclusion: stronger together

As an ethical, values-focused recruiter, EDI is a crucial part of what we do. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and adjust our processes to accommodate everyone.It’s not just to meet a legal obligation, though obviously that’s important. Beyond your duties under the Equality Act (2010), EDI is also vital for diversity of thought, creativity, and worldview within your organisation. A fair, equal, and safe workplace also contributes to your employees’ wellbeing, which in turn helps with retention. In short, it’s an all-round no-brainer.

It’s all well and good having a nice shiny EDI policy in your filing cabinet. But actions speak louder than words.At Charisma, we:- provide regular CPD, including training on how to recognise and minimise unconscious bias- shape adverts and candidate packs using inclusive language- use specific interview techniques to minimise unconscious bias- don’t rely on traditional career paths, entry requirements, and keywords that could exclude certain groups- build our talent pool by engaging with diverse groups- network with underrepresented groups; if the opportunity isn’t there, we create it ourselvesWe were one of the first recruiters to join the Show the Salary campaign. When no salary is listed, white male applicants tend to ask for a higher wage than women and people from ethnic minority groups. It’s called the “ask gap” and one ridiculously easy way to stop it is to display salaries. Yet here we are, with companies still putting “competitive salary” in job descriptions *sigh*.We also offer pro-bono CV and cover letter support to members of Black on Board, an initiative set up in response to De Montford University research that found less than 1% of boardrooms across the UK had any Black or Minority Ethnicity (BME) representation. As consultants, part of our role is to gently challenge clients when they (often inadvertently) create barriers to people applying. We focus on the skills and experience that are essential for the role, instead of reverting to yardsticks of privilege, like degrees. We help you evaluate candidates based on their character, skills, and experience, not on their background or personal characteristics.We’re here to shape a successful future for everyone, not just the people who look, sound and act like us. Wouldn’t the world be a boring place if we were all the same?<a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> to discuss how we can help you push your EDI strategy beyond the tick box.

<h2>What we do</h2>

<h2>Placements this year</h2>
You can see from our statistics; we walk the walk. Of all placements in the first half of 2023, 55% were female, 15% identified as LGBQT+, and 18% were from an ethnic minority.

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Shape your team with our expert help

The team at Charisma Charity Recruitment match world-class talent to world-changing organisations.

Tap into talent to fuel your mission

Our team shares valuable insights, tips and resources to help keep you informed of the latest trends across the charity and recruitment sectors.

Insights

We match world-class talent with world-changing organisations. 

Recruiting with heart since 2002

Here at Charisma, we believe recruitment can change the world. A bold claim? Perhaps. A little dramatic? Definitely. But we believe it, because we know the impact awesome people can have in changemaking, mission-driven organisations. 

Back in the beginning, in 2002, the world of work was a very different place. Think dial-up internet (that noise is still etched in our brains), Times New Roman font, and building networks meant personally approaching charities directly. In this analogue ecosystem, we flourished. We grafted hard and built up a sterling reputation as the go-to charity recruitment consultants.Fast forward to today, and times have changed. We’ve changed with them. Over the past two decades we’ve learned how to find top-notch talent for organisations that do good. We continue to love working hand-in-hand with third sector, charity, and non-profits to find the best possible person for each role. Not through cold calling, cold calling, cold calling. But through building real, lasting relationships. Because when something matters to you, it matters to us.

<h2>Our story</h2>

We’re all about people. You, yours and ours. Long-term relationships matter more than quick wins, so we want to meet you, talk to you, get to know you. Once we have a deeper understanding of what you need, we help you find the right candidate to further your organisation’s cause. Not just as a job to tick off the list, but as part of a long-view recruitment strategy. It’s a personal approach: - Our team has vast experience and know-how in third-sector recruitment, so we immediately understand the unique challenges you face - Clients and candidates repeatedly feed back to us how valued and listened to they feel- Our door is always open if you have queries, questions or quandaries- We’re in it for the long haul; we’ve been doing this for over two decades

In a nutshell, we love helping people and organisations achieve, and exceed, their goals. <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> if you think we could work well together.

<h2>About us</h2>

&ldquo;I joined Charisma in 2019, bringing a wealth of experience from senior roles in the not-for-profit sector. I bought the business in early 2022, and we've since had our best results on record. We now support more changemaking organisations than ever to employ incredible talent.&nbsp;
My passion is in shaping a recruitment business that puts people at its core. I want Charisma to be a place people love to work, a trusted partner clients enjoy collaborating with, and an organisation candidates know represents them well. In the years to come, we&rsquo;ll keep increasing our positive impact in this world in whatever ways we can.&rdquo;

<h2>Meet the MD, Adam</h2>

<h2>Why Charisma?</h2>

Recruitment solutions

With Charisma you get an unrivalled approach to trustee recruitment. We support you to prioritise&nbsp;diversity&nbsp;of thought around your board table, so your organisation can soar.

Build your board

Board and trustee roles are absolutely key, so we know you’ll want to nab the best of a brilliant bunch. To start the process, our dedicated team gets to the core of your ethos, ambitions, values, and objectives. Knowing your organisation inside out helps us find the ideal candidates. 

Having an all-white, all-male board of over-60s can be a liability for your organisation. Not only are the “aesthetics” a problem in general, but potential funders could be put off. You could even be excluded from applying for funds in the first place. Your board will lack diversity of worldview, lived experience, and insight. And as well as being unethical, it’s just bad for business. Our recruitment processes ensure you access a truly diverse talent pool. 

<h2>Board and trustee search</h2>

Trustee recruitment accounts for over a third of the consultancy work we take on.

Because it’s a core focus, our senior consultants have built up an in-depth understanding of what being a board member involves. Some even sit as trustees themselves, so they know both sides of the process.And when your vacancy is mission-critical, our extensive network becomes all the more important. We’ve built up connections over decades, with access to top talent from commercial and charitable sectors. We also work with partner organisations to widen the talent pool further still. No stone is left unturned.Our 100% trustee success rate just shows how focused (some might say relentless) we’ll be when we search for your perfect person. <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> if you’d like us to start looking.

We help you find exceptional executives with empathy and enthusiasm for your endeavours. Try saying that quickly five times.  

Executives with empathy

We’ll design you a bespoke executive recruitment campaign and use our huge (not that we’re bragging, it’s just true) existing network to attract the best possible candidates. We’ve done this hundreds of times, so we know what works. 

Executive talent makes a huge difference to charities and not-for-profit organisations, and the third sector deserves incredible leadership. So, when you come to us for support, we’ll assign you a dedicated Senior Consultant. They’ll take all elements of the recruitment process off your plate, so you can keep the wheels turning.

<h2>Executive search</h2>

Each campaign is unique to the needs of the individual organisation.

That’s because our start-point is always to have a jolly good poke around. When you recruit us to recruit for you, we want to know everything. It’s not because we’re nosy, it’s because we work as an extension of your organisation. Understanding exactly how you work helps us represent you authentically when we reach out to potential candidates.Once we know it all (bar your favourite song for karaoke and your great-grandma’s maiden name), we get planning for your perfect match. Thanks to our decades in the industry, we can quickly identify what kind of personality would be a great fit for you. Then, we design your campaign to bring out the best possible executive candidates for your needs.And it’s always worth repeating, we favour personality, ethos, and skillset over arbitrary tick boxes, so you can expect a diverse and dynamic group of candidates. <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> to discuss how we can improve your organisation’s leadership.

Charisma Charity Recruitment specialises in helping charities and not-for-profit organisations to improve their impact through purposeful placements.

Matchmakers for changemakers

We’ll find you the right interim specialist, for rapid results against the clock. Get a flexible boost to achieve your goals, without long-term ties.

Short-term contract, long-term impact

Strategic short-term recruitment (aka an “interim hire”) can pump in some fresh perspective, plug a skills gap, and help your organisation thrive even through turbulent times. 

Perhaps there’s a project you’re itching to get going, or maybe you just need someone to take the reins while you make longer-term plans. We’ve got the connections to find you experienced candidates who are at their happiest thrown headfirst (okay feet first, ideally) into demanding, dynamic, and challenging environments.

<h2>Interim recruitment</h2>

We&rsquo;ve parachuted our interims into multiple roles, including:

CEO, Director, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Fundraising, Project Manager, Human Resources and many, many, more. There are multiple benefits to bringing in an interim, and we often find the burst of new energy and know-how has a ripple effect across the organisation.<a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> if you’d like us to take the effort out of finding your interim hero.

It takes a special kind of person to work for a non-profit. Your dream candidate isn’t in it to get rich quick. They don’t want the fame or the glory. For them, it’s not just a career, it’s a calling.But how do you find them? Charisma.

We’re a leading recruitment consultancy working with UK charities and not-for-profit organisations. We first started doing this around the time Will Young won Pop Idol, so we’ve got experience coming out of our ears. We’ve matched all kinds of candidate to all kinds of role at all kinds of organisations. Over the decades, we’ve gained a deep understanding of your sector by helping small social enterprises with a handful of staff, through to supporting large charities with hundreds of employees.

<h2>Recruitment solutions</h2>

No two consultancy projects are the same, which is what makes our job so interesting. What you need depends on your organisation, your ethos and your situation. So, we start by getting to know you. We ask lots of questions. Then we can get to work finding your perfect match. Perhaps you need an intern at the start of their charity career, or for an experienced CEO to bring decades of knowledge. Either way, we’ll help you find the one. The word “passion” gets thrown around way too freely these days. A bit like “genius”. But you can’t work in the charity and not-for-profit sector without it. Passion, that is. A sprinkling of genius helps too, to be fair. We genuinely give a hoot about the work you’re doing, so we offer a <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">free consultation</a>. Once we know what you need right now and in the longer term, we can plan a way forward.

Charisma recruitment consultants will support you to build your dream team across all departments of your charity or not-for-profit organisation. 

Finding you the right people at the right time

Your people are your biggest asset. When you’re building up your team, it’s vital you find candidates who not only match the experience and skills you need, but also fit in with your work culture, ethos, and values. Otherwise, you’ll be pulling in different directions and getting precisely nowhere. 

We take the stress out of recruitment (as well as the workload) by pairing your organisation with a specialist consultant. Our team has worked with charities and non-profits for over twenty years, so we know how to make progress at pace, without compromising on quality.Your experience with Charisma will be tailored to the way you work, so we always start by getting to know you. We’re so thorough it might feel like a mild interrogation. But it won’t take long, we promise. Once we’re well acquainted (friends, even) your dedicated consultant will develop a plan to find you the best possible candidates for your needs. If this sounds like your way of working, <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">get in touch for a free consultation</a>.

<h2>Team recruitment</h2>

What Trinity House say:

"​Charisma were strongly recommended to us for their specialist insight in support of our recruitment of a new General Manager for our almshouses, and we were certainly not disappointed: they served us extremely well at every stage of the process. Our specialist consultant took time to learn about our organisation, listening carefully to our very specific requirements and tailoring the search accordingly.The result of our collaboration was a strong pool of candidates that led to an exceptional appointment for us. I was impressed with our consultant's professional guidance throughout, from our first meeting to the interviews and their conclusion, and then on to some excellent after-care. I would recommend Charisma in their field without hesitation, particularly over others whose approach is more generalised."

Case Studies

Our experience serving faith-based organisations is unrivalled. 

A hire purpose: recruit candidates with a calling

Faith-based organisations need recruiters who appreciate the higher purpose of your work. 

Our consultants have an in-depth understanding of your unique needs and can consult on legal and ethical recruitment to roles where religion is an occupational requirement.We understand your obstacles and opportunities because we’ve worked with faith-based organisations of all sizes - local to global - for decades. We don’t just work in faith as a sector; some of us live it as our daily truth.

<h2>We preach what we practise</h2>

As our owner and MD Adam Stacey explains, “You could say I’m a ‘card carrying Christian’ because I’m a fully accredited Baptist Union of Great Britain minister, with experience as CEO and development director for faith-based organisations.My faith is a vital and unwavering part of my own identity. It’s my moral compass, underpinning every decision I make. So I know how crucial it is for organisations to find people who understand the importance of their faith mission."We have a further faith specialist consultant Nick Thomas, who has served in church leadership as an Assistant Pastor, worked in fundraising, and was centre manager of Christians Against Poverty in Southampton. When we say we know how to support faith-based organisations, it’s because we’ve seen the inner workings, from grass roots up to the top level of management. <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> to explore how we can help.

Money is life for charities and not-for-profit organisations. Luckily, we’ve got vast experience sourcing the best income generators in the industry.

Fundraisers for charities that mean business

Finding a brilliant fundraiser can feel like searching for four-leaf clover.

Your ideal candidate needs to have next-level communication skills and unwavering resilience. They need to charm, without smarm. It takes a special kind of person. We can help. Since 2002, we’ve been the go-to recruitment consultancy for charities and not-for-profit organisations seeking top fundraising talent. 

<h2>Fundraising</h2>

Everyone has their part to play in income generation, and we’ve placed candidates at every level; from interns to senior executives. Our owner and MD Adam Stacey is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and worked previously in CEO and Development Director roles for charities. Many of our recruitment team have worked in fundraising roles themselves, so they know what to look for.Our strong network of contacts in fundraising means we can identify and attract the best candidates. Without wanting to brag (too much), our reputation means we can even attract people who aren’t looking for a new role yet. <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> so we can help you find your next fundraising superstar.

With over 20 years’ experience of fundraising recruitment and deep understanding of the sector our team offers you a trusted, unrivalled and proven approach that delivers a tailored search on every assignment.

Shaping your recruitment to find you the best income generators to achieve your mission

For over two decades, we have been the go-to recruitment consultancy for charities and not-for-profit organisations looking for the best fundraising talent. We have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing this sector, and we are committed to helping our clients achieve their missions. Our team of experienced consultants has a proven track record of success in placing candidates in a wide range of fundraising roles, from entry-level to senior executive. We have a deep understanding of the different types of fundraising skills and experience that are required for different roles and organisations. Our owner and managing director, Adam Stacey, is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and has worked previously as a CEO and a development director in the charity sector. Many of our recruitment team have worked in fundraising roles in the sector.

<h2>Governance</h2>

We therefore have a strong network of contacts within the fundraising sector. This allows us to identify and attract the best candidates, even those who are not actively looking for a new role. We are passionate about helping charities and not-for-profits make a difference in the world. That's why we offer a personalised service to all of our clients. We take the time to understand your organisation's unique needs, and we work closely with you to find the right fundraiser for your team. If you are looking for a recruitment consultancy that can help you find the best fundraising talent, please contact us today. We would be delighted to discuss your needs and how we can help you achieve your goals.

We help you find special people who are passionate about your health and social care organisation, to accelerate your positive impact on the world.   

Pairing passionate people with caring organisations

It can feel like a challenge to find that rare unicorn of a hire.

That person who’s not just genuinely passionate about health and social care, but also has the skills, drive and know-how to boost your positive impact on your community. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone.We’ve been recruiting for health and social care since 2002, so we already have a strong network of contacts in the sector. It’s a bit like having a secret shortcut to the kinds of candidates you’re looking for. And as a full-service recruitment consultancy, we can take the whole process off your hands.

<h2>Health and social care</h2>

Our chief unicorn seekers (aka our specialist consultants for your sector) are Sandra Smith and Lou Portnall. Both Sandra and Lou have worked directly for health and social care organisations in the past, so they have insider knowledge of your industry.Each campaign is bespoke, tailored to your organisation. So, Sandra and Lou’s first job is to ask you a long list of questions and go deep into what your organisation does. Once they’ve delved your darkest nooks and crannies, our dream team will start designing a campaign to bring together the best possible candidates for your consideration.By the way, there’s a reason we’re called Charisma; we go beyond a list of characteristics and look at personality fit too. <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a>. Together, we’ll find a diverse and dynamic group of candidates to match your needs.

Charisma helps you recruit the right people, so your organisation can continue treating your guests to the best in leisure, heritage, arts and culture.

Attract talent for your attraction

Over the past two decades we’ve partnered with multiple big-name organisations in the heritage, arts and culture sectors, including national museums and world-famous visitor attractions.

We’ve also supported up-and-coming and purposefully petite organisations to expand their impact through strategic recruitment.Katherine Anderson-Scott leads this area of our consultancy. Katherine brings rich experience to the role, having previously worked as Development Manager for an arts charity dedicated to engaging young people in music. She’s also worked as Tour Manager for an international travel company specialising in heritage education tours. And just to round off the arts element of her glittering CV, Katherine was Area Sales Manager for the UK’s largest, independent art gallery group.You see, when we say “we don’t just talk the talk…” this is what we mean. Experienced, knowledgeable specialists who’ve literally been there, done that. And sometimes even got the t-shirt.

<h2>Heritage, arts and culture</h2>

Katherine will explore your values and priorities as an organisation, then sketch out a plan for how to attract the right people to your role. She won’t just paint-by-numbers, she’ll sculpt a unique, hand-crafted (okay we’ll stop with the arts-related puns) recruitment campaign to draw (sorry) in your ideal candidates.As ever, our focus won’t be on a tick sheet of “must haves”. We believe in holistic recruitment, so we look at the person as a whole not as a list of credentials. And we use creative, wide-ranging tactics in our search. The result is a diverse and experienced group of candidates for your consideration. <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">Get in touch</a> if this sounds like what you need.

We support recruitment for charities and not-for-profit organisations, with niche specialisms across the third sector. 

Specialist talent for the third sector

<h2>Leadership</h2>

We’ve been sharpening our skills in the third sector for over twenty years, so naturally we’ve developed some specialist subjects. And as one of the UK’s leading recruitment consultancies for charities, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations, many of our team members have developed a soft spot for certain sectors. 

Using our niche skills, interests, and knowledge of industry needs, we’ve shaped our services to suit you. Our specialisms and easy onboarding process mean we can partner up and get to work on your challenge quickly. 

<h2>Specialisms</h2>

Beyond just playing talent top trumps, we look at potential candidates as whole humans, not a list of skills and achievements. Our approach might not sound all that radical, but you’d be surprised. The result is you get a dynamic and diverse range of candidates to choose from.So, if you’re looking for a special type of person, <a href="https://www.charismarecruitment.co.uk/contact-us/">book a free consultation</a>.

Here are our wonderful people. The ones you'll get to know through your journey as a client or candidate.  #TeamCharisma.

Meet the team

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With previous experience in marketing, office administration and recruitment, Lou has supported many charities both personally and professionally. She was formerly a Marketing Manager for a disability charity, and in her commercial experience had specific responsibility for CSR partnerships with charities, raising money and providing volunteering assignments.  Passionate about the third sector, Lou has supported Homeless, Children, Military and Health/Disability organisations. Lou has been involved in all aspects of recruitment throughout her career, she has worked in partnership with hiring managers and clients both as a recruiter and a client.  Married with two adult sons Lou is an active member of Rock Choir, an avid reader of all genres, regularly socialising with her Book Club (they even manage to read the odd book!) and at other times she can be found pottering around her garden, cooking or spending time with friends.

Louise Portnall