This month, unLTD’s Ash Birch heads to Joni in the Botanical Gardens to grab lunch with Chris Burns, the founder of Sheffield-based recruitment firm Ardeta Search, to find out about his first year in business, his route into recruitment, Ardeta’s expansion and plans for the future.
Hi Chris. Can you start by telling us a little bit about Ardeta Search?
Ardeta Search is a professional services-led recruitment agency where we support businesses across a range of divisions and the way we work is very much embedded with a client.
From Accountancy & Finance, Business Change & Transformation, Sales & Marketing, Tech, Legal & HR we focus on conversations around where our clients are looking to get to over the next 12 months and how we can help them along that journey. The way we approach working with businesses is initially very broad as for us it’s about working with businesses where we can really add value to them.
A particular focus for us is always around where businesses are going through change and transformation where typically our services and expertise can really help during this period.
You’ve been going for a little over a year now. As a start-up, was there a temptation to try and get as much business as possible and be less selective?
When I started, it wasn’t a scattergun approach at all. It’s very targeted, looking for opportunities where we can genuinely help organisations with their talent attraction. Obviously, as the team grows, we will naturally be able to expand our offering but equally you’ve got to find the right balance.
I find that recruitment is all about storytelling. We’re in a really privileged position of working with some amazing businesses, with some captivating stories to tell. In order to help that business, in terms of attracting talent, we need to know everything about their narrative, build the context around their opportunity so we are in the best position possible at the search and selection phase of the process.
I am a storyteller and I’m telling that businesses’ story.
Building that trust, where someone gives you the green light to tell their story, is really important as we are an extension of that business in the job marketplace. When working with clients we like to be proactive in terms of talent attraction even perhaps when they aren’t actively recruiting positions as our offering can, in certain circumstances, help our clients shape strategy .
What do you enjoy about the process?
I just love talking to people. I love finding out about different people’s skill sets. I always find it a massive learning curve when drawing that knowledge out and I genuinely find it interesting.
Also, I really get a kick out of seeing people progress through their careers and always strive to provide the best advice possible in any given situation which is always focussed on the long term picture. Over the years, you see people develop and maybe you’ve helped them on that journey, or you’ve helped a business get through a significant period of challenge which I always take pride from.
Changing jobs is a big life moment, and that’s not lost on me.
How did you get into recruitment?
In my earlier years, I dedicated myself to football at a high level, but as it didn’t quite take off, I shifted my focus back to education. Choosing law, I pursued my studies at the University of Sheffield, where I developed a deep passion for the subject. However, upon graduating in 2008, I faced the challenge of entering the job market during a recession.
Opting to further my studies, I relocated to Newcastle, pursuing a master’s in economics and finance, followed by an LPC (Legal Practice Course). My professional journey started with a role in a commercial finance brokerage, followed by a stint at Finance Yorkshire, specialising in debt finance. The intricate world of finance intrigued me, especially the blend of salesmanship and attention to detail to get the deal across the line.
Subsequently, I ventured into the realm of invoice finance, where I thrived in the intricacies of deal-making and building robust networks. This period laid the foundation for my eventual transition into recruitment. The initial nudge towards this field came from my sister, who, having secured a position post-graduation, encouraged me to explore the realm of recruitment.
Embracing the challenge, I established a significant desk for a large PLC agency in Sheffield, growing it from scratch over five years. Subsequently, I spent an additional four years honing my skills in a smaller agency. Eventually, driven by the desire to chart my own course, I decided to establish my own recruitment venture.
Reflecting on my journey, everything I’d done, even before I’d even started in recruitment, gave me some really strong tools going forward in the world I work in now – it felt natural when I started and still does.
How has the first year out on your own gone?
However confident you are that things will go well when you do your own thing until you get your first client, send your first invoice, get your first invoice paid its all theory. Each one of those moments, by the way, were hugely watershed moments for me I’ll never forget, as I’m sure for any business owner will agree when they first take the plunge. Since then I’m pleased to say the business has performed strongly allowing me to expand quicker than anticipated hiring Carmela to focus on driving business in London and key European focal points.
What is it like working with family?
Honestly love working with family! When I started, my wife Hannah helped me pull together all the back-office fundamentals to running a business and has a very strong background in marketing and sales which has been fantastic for Ardeta.
Now my sister is on board we were used to working together anyway as we had done previously. Carmela and I are both very passionate about what we do. We both talk about work more than anything else if we get together for family events and start talking about recruitment, we’ll just disappear for an hour or so. It’s probably boring for everyone else who’s not in that world, but we’ve always done it.
I’ve always had a really good relationship with Carmela, but that brother/sister dynamic doesn’t translate over into work. I wanted to get her on board as soon as possible as she is very good at what she does, I’ve just given her the tools and opportunity to go and do what she is passionate about.
What’s the plan going forward?
We’re looking to expand the team in Sheffield and are having lots of exploratory conversations with different people about that. Expanding the team in London is also on the horizon as well, to be honest it’s all about having an agile approach to how we grow and of course about getting the right people on board. The opportunity and challenge wont be for everyone, but for those seeking something different and who are skilled and passionate about what they do, that is who I’m trying to attract to the business.
Get to know Joni
Now boasting three sites across Sheffield and a recently opened venue in Two Dales, Joni is firmly established as one of the go-to to café spots in our region, and judging by how busy the Botanical Gardens iteration is on a grey Monday afternoon, its reputation is well founded.
I arrive a little early for my meeting with Chris Burns, but I’m swiftly accommodated by the wait staff and led to a table in the bustling conservatory, attached to the historic main building.
It’s around 1pm and I’m already loaded with caffeine for the day, so while I wait, I order an Acai Kick smoothie, bursting with refreshing mango, blueberries, and earthier hits of acai.
When Chris arrives, he orders a flat white and we take a look through the menu, which is full of delicious-sounding brunch and lunch dishes like wild mushroom benedict and goat’s cheese and roast squash salad, as well as fresh sandwiches and croque monsieur.
Spoilt for choice, we actually both end up opting for the smashed avocado. We’re told there’ll be a slight wait on the food, due to a rush on the kitchen given the busy time of day, but this gives us plenty of time to discuss Chris’ recruitment journey and the food actually arrives ahead of schedule.
Their classic avo toast has been given a colourful makeover, with a spicy kick of siracha drizzled generously over the dish and occasionally pops of sweet and sour pomegranate seeds. It’s all served on hearty, toasted spelt and beetroot bread and doesn’t last long!
While we wait for the food, our photographer arrives and treats himself to a roast ham croque monsieur. Served up on sourdough bread, and oozing with cheese, it looks delicious, but I’m reliably informed the good quality ham is the star of the show here.
All three of us satisfied, Joni’s tasty food and bustling atmosphere proves to be a lovely way to spend a lunchtime, and the good news is you’re never that far away from one in Sheffield!
