Manpower was tasked with finding a senior project manager for a client's £1.1 billion capital investment program involving the design and construction of two substations. Manpower conducted an extensive search, mapping the UK market and identifying over 100 potential candidates. They helped qualify candidates' capabilities and competencies before submitting applications. The successful candidate was presented, and Manpower has since secured other senior appointments through their proven search and selection process.

1. For further information, please email: newcastle.tech@manpower.co.uk
Identifying talent critical to success for the
energy market
Overview
Our client is a world-class supplier of engineering services, with vast experience in the
execution of engineering procurement construction projects; including the supply of main
equipment, civil works and electromechanical erection and commissioning works. A business
focused on overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines and substations,
this organisation works across both the public and private sectors in the UK and
internationally.
As part of a Spanish/UK international joint venture, awarded with a framework agreement by a
big six energy firm, and as part of an overall £1.1bn capital investment programme, our client
was tasked with the design and construction of a 400kV substation and 132kV substation to
supply the national grid connection for new renewable resources.
Challenge
A new entrant to the UK market, our client faced two main challenges to successfully deliver
this prestigious and high profile project. Firstly, to establish a project management team with
the talented engineering personnel capable of delivering the front end engineering design and
specification; secondly, to organise and execute the construction programme to their client’s
satisfaction, on time and to a set budget.
Our client’s senior management team encountered a number of challenges at the start of the
project. The two substations required individual technical design and specifications, and
where to be based in remote locations, with difficult terrain and subject to extreme weather
conditions. Furthermore our client had to comply with tight deadlines to complete the agreed
construction and commissioning works programme.
Therefore appointing a Senior Project Manager who was capable of leading the project
management team was key to the project. This individual had to combine engineering
excellence with commercial experience, and needed to have a proven track record in
completing other capital expenditure projects of a similar size and nature, on time and to
budget.
Solution
When Manpower received this brief, we responded by providing our client with a UK-
wide executive search and selection service, to identify and engage individuals with a
strong technical expertise, who were capable of undertaking the responsibilities of
this appointment.
Our objective was to provide a short list of five suitable candidates with the
correct profile - a qualified and senior Electrical Engineer, with industry
experience and located in, or willing to relocate, to the clients chosen area of
operation for the full three-year duration of this project.
We achieved this by mapping the UK market, using market intelligence,
industry contacts, and networking to draw up a long list of potential
candidates. We then established each potential candidate’s location and
their status as either passive or active (i.e. on the market, or in the
market).

2. For further information, please email: newcastle.tech@manpower.co.uk
We were then able to progress and fully qualify their capability and
competencies before submitting their application. This was followed up with further
support and coaching on interview techniques, negotiation of their employment
contract and compensation package, through to management of their resignation and
transition into their new position of employment. After their assignment commenced,
we offered continued support during their initial period of employment and induction
into their new employer.
Result
After identifying more than 100 potential candidates during the search phase, Manpower
worked tirelessly to overcome competition from other agencies to find and present the
successful candidate for this appointment.
Following this assignment Manpower have gone from strength to strength, with a succession
of senior permanent and interim appointments on a number of other high profile infrastructure
projects within the UK Energy market.
To find out how Manpower can provide your business with the same high caliber search and
selection service to help identify the talent critical to the success of your current or future
project, please contact us on:
T. 0191 221 2345
E. derek.woodhouse@manpower.co.uk.
manpower.co.uk