Welcome to the third edition of the Hydrogen Group newsletter!
In this edition we focus on Charlie Sell, EMEA region spotlight, insights, trends and events.
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Let's get into it....
From placement to pavement, Hydrogen Group runs strong
Earlier this month, our EMEA team laced up their running shoes and took on the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, showing exactly what collaboration, determination, and a bit of competitive spirit can achieve. Events like this remind us why people are at the heart of everything we do. Whether we’re running a race or delivering for clients and candidates, it’s always about pushing forward together!
A huge congratulations to everyone who took part, your efforts, smiles, and team spirit made us all proud. Here’s to many more challenges, more achievements, and more moments where we go the distance, as one team.
👟Tagging our runners: Matthew Hunter, Carike Boulle, Joel Forrester, Naika Quiñones, Charlie Sell, Millie MacEacharn, Jemima Lee, Harrison Stiles, Kate Runeckles
Tacos, Teamwork and Tradition, team Denver does it right
Our team in Denver, CO, recently came together for their quarterly team-building at the legendary Casa Bonita, Colorado’s own “Mexican Disneyland,” now beautifully restored by the South Park Creators! (Fun fact: our own Michelle Miller went to High School with them!).Sharing good food, great margaritas, and a bit of nostalgia was the perfect way to strengthen connections and invest in our culture.
At Hydrogen Group, we know that strong teams drive strong results, and opportunities like these remind us why fostering a connected, engaged team matters.
Michelle Miller Kori Eckert Ross Reinema Michael Trick Ryan Matlock Jordan Kenoyer
Leadership Spotlight
Tell us a bit about your journey. What brought you to Hydrogen Group and what drives you in your role as COO for EMEA?
I’m one of the few people in the world who can genuinely say I chose recruitment as a career, and I say that proudly. I started out with Accenture in accounting and finance, which I studied at Uni, but it quickly became clear my real passions lay elsewhere: people, processes, culture, and sales. Recruitment felt like the perfect fit, an industry that combines all those things.
In my early years, what surprised me was how recruitment was seen: more transactional sales than professional service. Yet, in every boardroom I’ve ever been in, talent is a top three priority. It struck me as odd that something so central to success wasn’t being treated with the weight and respect it deserved. So, my career’s been about helping move the dial, shifting recruitment from a transactional industry to a professional, value-driven one.
That started in earnest when I became the first hire at a startup called Arrows Group. Over ten years, we built something special in tech and healthcare recruitment and ultimately led it through an MBO in 2015. Since then, I’ve worked across consultancy, non-exec roles, and helped build out several workforce solutions businesses. That included ventures like BOOSTA (embedded talent solutions) and Pivot (EVP consulting), where we brought together multiple specialist brands to offer more holistic value.
What brought me to Hydrogen was meeting Hayley Still, our CEO, who shared a clear vision: taking this brilliant, 27-year-old AIM-listed business and transforming it from a highly respected contingent recruiter into a professional services-led partner. I saw a business with the foundations and ambition to do that. I saw a leadership team that believed in people and potential. And I joined because I knew we could build something truly special here.
What are some of the most exciting client projects or partnerships you’ve been involved in recently?
There are a couple that really stand out. One is with a global financial services consultancy that’s been growing rapidly across the US and EMEA, partly through M\&A. They came to us in what they openly described as their “Wild West” phase: lots of growth, but limited structure around workforce strategy.
What’s been brilliant is how open they’ve been. This isn’t about filling jobs, it’s about helping them build something sustainable and scalable. We’re working with them on combining cultures, embedding agile people strategies, and professionalising the way they grow and retain talent, all while staying flexible to change. That’s when we’re at our best: solving problems beyond the job brief and acting as a true partner.
Another really exciting area is renewables. We’re working with engineering clients who are embracing transferable skills from adjacent industries, life sciences, data, broader STEM backgrounds, and helping build future-ready workforces in areas like offshore wind, hydrogen, and fusion. What’s exciting is how open these businesses are to up-skilling and re-skilling, it’s solving the talent scarcity challenge by unlocking new pipelines, not just competing for the same people.
How are hiring trends evolving across EMEA, and how is Hydrogen Group helping businesses adapt?
There’s been a massive shift. Hiring is no longer about empire building or throwing headcount at problems. We’ve moved from growth through volume to growth through value. Companies are being more considered, thinking about how technology, process, and people combine to achieve outcomes.
That’s where we come in. We don’t just help businesses hire, we help them discover what they actually need. We run discovery sessions with clients to look at what talent they already have, where upskilling or redeployment is possible, and how tech can complement their teams. Often, they realise they need far fewer new hires than they originally thought, and the hires they do make are far more impactful.
As a tech-first business, we’re also using our own tech to support clients in new ways. We’ve layered AI on top of what we deliver what we call “off-grid” insights, real-time, highly tailored intelligence on salary trends, skills gaps, and hiring patterns. It’s not about generic industry reports anymore; it’s about bespoke data that supports better decisions.
Ultimately, we’re helping clients be more strategic, using talent more effectively, and building sustainable workforce models that deliver long-term value.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing to recharge and stay thriving?
I’m a big believer in staying grounded, and for me, that comes back to family. I’ve got two kids, 10 and 7, and they’re at that great stage of semi-independence where they still want to hang out with us! Whether it’s swimming, riding, or just mucking about, they keep me level.
I’m also involved in a national charity called Round Table. We do everything from local fundraising to big community events which raises money for amazing causes. It’s a real social leveller and a great way to give back.
And then I’ve got my reset buttons: squash and rugby. Fast, physical, full-on, they help me burn off energy and keep the brain switched on. Rugby’s been a big part of my life, I captained the first XV at Cardiff University!
Signing off… For me, recruitment will always be about three core stakeholders: clients, candidates, and our own people. And at Hydrogen, we’re genuinely committed to adding value to all three, whether that’s helping a business solve a strategic workforce problem, supporting someone through their lifelong career, or building a culture where our people thrive and grow.
In our recent blog, we explore how the Life Sciences sector is facing growing pressure from talent shortages, slower hiring cycles and increasing programme complexity. Traditional hiring models are struggling to keep pace. Statement of Work (SOW) is emerging as a smarter, more strategic approach that enables speed, precision and compliance where it matters most.
Current challenges facing the Life Sciences industry:
- Average time-to-hire exceeding 78 days, causing project delays
- Shortages in critical skill areas such as regulatory affairs, clinical operations and data science and digital skill shortages which are critical for innovation
- Headcount restrictions and increasing regulatory scrutiny
- Overstretched HR/Recruitment teams
How SOW delivers results:
- Time-to-fill is cut by up to 50%. Ensuring critical projects don’t stall
- 35% cost savings versus traditional hiring models, without compromising quality
- Pre-vetted, compliant talent means lower risk and faster onboarding
- Fully managed contractor support reduces strain on internal HR and hiring teams
- Scalable, project-based delivery tailored to fluctuating workload and specialist need
- 82% of clients report improved project success through outsourced contractor hiring
"We have worked with the team for a number of years and see them as a valued partner. They provide excellent professional service to a number of different functions within our business and we trust them to continue doing so. Their team has been great at understanding our business needs and translating them into a reliable recruitment service that is representative of the organisation. I certainly recommend Hydrogen as a staffing partner." Global Pharmaceutical Group
Or, speak to us directly... (we're a friendly bunch!).
We also have some exciting news.....
We’re growing our team with amazing opportunities.
Are you ready to own your future in a world-class business that genuinely empowers you to Thrive in a changing world?
You’ll be backed by a culture built on trust, respect, and results. You’ll enjoy industry-leading benefits, from hybrid working and private medical insurance to sabbaticals, wellbeing support, and a flexible, collaborative environment where high performance is rewarded. If you’re commercially sharp, passionate about people, and ready to grow, we want to hear from you.
Check out our roles below and apply today, or drop us a message to learn more.
The biggest threat to Cell and Gene Therapy growth isn’t equipment, it’s people
While facilities and capacity expand at record pace, workforce shortages are bringing progress to a crawl.
Our latest insight explores:
- Why hiring and training bottlenecks are slowing the industry
- The roles most at risk
- Practical steps to future-proof your workforce
Those who act now will protect their growth. Those who don’t will fall behind. Read the full insight here.
Want to dive deeper?
Don’t miss our latest blogs, where our experts share insights, advice, and real-world perspectives from across the industries we serve. You can read everything you need to know here. Read here.
Looking for your next career move?
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Did you know, we have global offices in EMEA, the US and APAC! We're proud to be a global business with a truly local touch. Our teams know their markets inside out and are constantly sharing insights across regions, which means we’re well-placed to help clients find the right people, wherever they are.
From scaling teams to supporting major transformation, we bring real expertise and a practical, people-first, client-centric approach to every challenge. No fluff, just smart, effective workforce solutions.
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