tml Partners have sourced a Head of Marketing Strategy & Planning and a Head of Marketing Communications for leading mental healthcare provider Clinical Partners

Clinical Partners is one of the UK’s leading providers of mental healthcare services to both the NHS and private patients. As a purpose-driven business, its commitment lies in delivering exceptional healthcare services with a focus on quality of experience and outcomes post-diagnosis.

The Challenge

Driven by escalating demand for mental healthcare services across the UK, Clinical Partners enters a new phase of growth. With aspirations to scale further and extend support to more patients through innovative services, the company recognises marketing as a core driver for their expansion. In May 2023, Rob Thomas joined as Marketing Director to lead this critical function. Rob later collaborated with tml Partners to recruit key positions critical for the company’s marketing strategy – Head of Marketing Strategy & Planning and Head of Marketing Communications. The challenge was not only to source these professionals promptly but also to ensure they possessed the expertise to make an immediate impact.

The Solution

Emma Calder, Principal Consultant at tml Partners, worked closely with Rob Thomas and Stefanie Watts from Clinical Partners to define the criteria for each role. The Head of Marketing Strategy & Planning was tasked with developing customer-centric strategies for diverse channels, requiring expertise in strategy development, marketing planning, and people management. The Head of Marketing Communications was entrusted with overseeing all communications, from branding to content strategy, across various touch points.

Strategic Approach

• Briefing Packs: tml Partners collaboratively crafted compelling candidate briefing packs providing an overview of the company and job descriptions to attract top-tier candidates.

• Market Mapping: Emma conducted an exhaustive market mapping exercise to identify potential candidates and gain insights into the competitive landscape.

• Competitive Process: Clinical Partners were able to leverage tml Partners’ extensive marketing network and industry experience for efficient identification, assessment, and engagement of top talent.

The Outcome

Within a month of kick-off meetings, tml Partners submitted shortlists for both roles. Following a comprehensive 3-stage interview process, including stages with the tml Partners team and Clinical Partners, both positions were offered and accepted within 8 weeks. Clinical Partners’ collaboration with tml Partners exemplifies the success of a strategic recruitment approach. With the new marketing leadership in place, Clinical Partners is well-equipped to fulfil its growth ambitions and continue delivering impactful mental healthcare services across the UK.

Rob Thomas, CMO at Clinical Partners comments: “I have really enjoyed working with tml Partners and specifically Emma. She has been able to accelerate the speed with which I have been able to hire a talented marketing leadership team. In my view, the key to this was in Emma’s focus on understanding what the successful candidate profile looks like at the start of the process, and then applying her experience as a senior marketeer to the screening candidates to ensure that all the shortlisted candidates I saw were essentially candidates that could do the job and were likely to be a good organisational fit. I would certainly use tml Partners again, and would recommend them to others too.”

James Owen, the appointed candidate for the Head of Marketing Communications role, added: “I’m very happy with the service I received from Emma. A straightforward process, a well-articulated briefing pack, plus clear guidance, and support throughout.  Delighted to land the job!”

Who are tml Partners?

tml Partners is an international recruitment firm specialising in senior marketing and commercial hires, spanning across marketing, brand, communications, product, and business development.

Emma Calder is currently partnering with high growth FMCG and health and wellness clients to support the best-in-class development of in-house marketing, innovation, communications, and digital functions, working across both permanent and interim briefs.

To learn how tml Partners can help you, get in touch with Emma: