Overview
After years in the Scottish tax market, Angela Banerjee knew exactly what she didn’t want.
She’d experienced recruitment processes where the focus felt transactional being put forward for roles that, with a deeper understanding of her ambitions, were never going to be the right fit. In fact, she’d recently turned down an opportunity because it simply wasn’t aligned with what she was looking for.
What she wanted wasn’t just another position. She wanted a role that offered genuine growth, the opportunity to build something meaningful, and a leadership team that would support her ambitions.
Process
The challenge wasn’t simply introducing Angela to another vacancy.
It was understanding her motivations, recognising what had and hadn’t worked previously, and identifying an opportunity that matched both her career aspirations and the firm’s long-term vision.
Crucially, the opportunity at BDO wasn’t even on the open market yet, meaning timing, discretion and deep market knowledge would all play an important role.
From the very first conversation, Angela noticed the difference.
Rather than leading with available roles, Gemma spent time listening, understanding what mattered and ensuring any move would work for both parties not just solve an immediate hiring need. Throughout the process, every conversation felt natural, supportive and entirely focused on helping Angela make the right decision.
Preparation extended well beyond interview scheduling. Angela was given insight into the personalities of the partners she would meet, what the firm was looking for, and what to expect at each stage, allowing her to approach every meeting with confidence.
When it came to the offer, Gemma was already advocating on Angela’s behalf before formal negotiations began. By managing expectations with both sides early, she secured a package that exceeded Angela’s own expectations, something Angela admits she would have struggled to negotiate for herself.
Results
The outcome was far more than a successful placement.
- Angela accepted a senior leadership role with BDO, helping build a service line with ambitious growth plans.
- She secured a remuneration package that exceeded her expectations.
- She gained access to an opportunity that wasn’t publicly available.
- She felt supported throughout the entire journey without ever feeling pressured.
- Most importantly, she found a role that genuinely aligned with her long-term ambitions rather than simply filling another vacancy.
“It wasn’t just about filling a gap. It was genuinely making sure that for me, this was the right move, and for BDO, I was the right person.”