Get Sust! Issue 34

Bright Green opportunties for sustainability professionals

The brightest stars from our top universities have begun to realise that it’s not satisfying to simply make money, and they are looking out for exciting careers that take environmental and social responsibility seriously. That’s what inspired award-winning social entrepreneur Tom Savage and veteran recruiter and Oxford don Paul Hannam to set up the specialist recruitment consultancy, Bright Green.

Tom Savage tells Get Sust! what makes Bright Green stand out from the crowd.

“Increasingly, graduates insist on joining an organisation where they feel they can have a positive influence on the world,” writes Tom Savage.

“From established sustainability professionals, to enthusiastic graduates, Bright Green connects rising stars with organisations that are making a difference. We represent a wide range of clients, from thought-leading sustainability companies such as Ray Anderson’s Interface, to companies with an emerging sustainability imperative such as property investment company, SEGRO.

“There’s the knowledge and technology to solve many of our global challenges, but what we don’t have are the right people, in the right positions, in the right organisations to leverage that change. That’s where Bright Green comes in. People are crucial to the success of any organisation. With the highest quality people driving the sustainability agenda, the future looks much brighter!

“Unfortunately, the recruitment industry doesn’t always have the best reputation, but at Bright Green, we try to do things a little differently. We hope that comes across in everything we do. Our passion for people and the environment starts at home, so we insist on only recruiting people into our team who inspire us.’

Why use a recruitment consultancy to help in your job hunt?

“Our service is free to candidates and we act as a key portal for talented people to find inspiring jobs.

“To be involved in our candidate network is simple. All you have to do is send us your CV and we’ll match you to positions as and when they come onto our books. Even if you’re not actively seeking a new career opportunity, it’s worthwhile to keep your ear to the ground.

“We don’t just want to provide a one-off service to our candidates; we want to develop a network of present and future environmental leaders. And we are keen to develop support and mentoring systems across the green community to strengthen and pool its knowledge.

Why use a recruitment consultancy to fill a position?

“Many recruiters can be put off by the cost of recruitment consultancies, but the cost of not having the best talent is the greatest cost of all. Combine that with the specialist knowledge an organisation like Bright Green provides and it can often work out less expensive to bring on a recruitment partner.

“You’d be amazed how many companies come to us after they have already spent a huge amount of time and money on recruitment to no avail. But there’s really no risk in giving us a shot. We offer a ‘no-win no-fee’ service, meaning that clients only pay if they take on one of the candidates we have introduced them to.

“Bright Green are not just in it for a quick-fix solution,” says Savage. “We form long-term, strategic partnerships with our clients, providing advice on how to strategically position talent to realise their sustainability-related strategic goals.”

	•	The Bright Green team are always looking for exceptional candidates and inspirational organisations to work with. For more information, please visit www.brightgreentalent.com, or email hello [at] brightgreentalent.com
	•	Tom Savage, aged 28, is Founder and MD of Bright Green Talent, and was named Edge Upstarts Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2007. He is also a Trustee and board member, Young Enterprise London. Read Tom’s blog at: http://brightestgreen.wordpress.com
	•	See also: Blue Ventures: www.blueventures.org ; Paul Hannam’s website: www.paulhannam.com ; and Tiptheplanet: www.tiptheplanet.com .