Some of our Client Testimonials
Joanna Rout Head of Resourcing, Development & Employee Engagement
HR Team Development Programme
“I was recently fortunate enough to work with Zircon on a development programme for our HR team to develop good practice in Assessment and Development Centre design.
The programme was highly engaging and very practical which really suits our business. Amanda has a great ability to draw on her academic knowledge and translate it into practical and business focused solutions.
We have since engaged Amanda to undertake a further piece of work and I am confident we would use Zircon for future requriements. I would not hesitate to recommend Amanda and have thoroughly enjoyed working with her on the recent projects.”
Ruth Swales HR Business Partner Direct and Nicola Atherton Project Portfolio Manager, Strategy Delivery, Direct Banking Change Team
Recruitment and Assessment Programme
“Amanda, Kathy and team have delivered a fantastic new recruitment & assessment programme for us. They quickly understood the brief, researched requirements and have consistently delivered at pace against very challenging time scales with great communication, planning and efficiency.”
Ian Hebb Learning and Development Manager
E.ON Finance Competency Framework Project
“Amanda Potter, Jim Bloomfield and Julie Lee from Zircon were commissioned to lead the design and development of a behavioural competency model for the E.ON UK’s Finance function. Zircon’s professionalism and expertise was evident throughout the duration of the project. Their approach was thorough and insightful at all times, and through an extensive stakeholder dialogue process, the critical behaviours to help successfully differentiate the future Finance function were discussed and clarified. On all occasions that I attended meetings and teleconference calls I found Zircon’s professional staff to be credible, reliable, well organised and prepared to challenge existing thinking. The completed behavioural model, provided fresh ideas and a clear focus for the future. Zircon has created a competency framework which is meaningful, providing both guidance and also clarity around expectations for role transitions. Defining the future requirements from the 1st person perspective, I think it plainly underscores the expectation of personal accountability for these competencies.”
Michael Venus Senior HR Business Partner
Assessment Centre Design Training Course
“The assessment centre design training course was really helpful, we really appreciated Amanda’s commercial and pragmatic outlook which is not often found in a psychologist..!!”
Ian Martin Head of Manufacturing and Partnerships
HSBC Insurance Assessment & Restructure Project
“We used Zircon to support our transformational change program of demising one set of roles and replacing with another. Zircon helped with the design and execution of the multifaceted program to assess and appoint candidates into the 30 new roles. Zircon also supported individual coaching for both successful and unsuccessful candidates based upon the results of the assessments.
In my view, Zircon added very significant value in the program and were key to us achieving a very successful outcome. They were creative, flexible and professional throughout and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.”
Eric Wiles Head of Finance
Assessment Process Design and Delivery
“Eversholt Rail (UK) Ltd recently appointed Zircon to design and deliver a bespoke assessment process, for the assessment of a group of shortlisted candidates, for the role of Financial Controller. The Zircon team co-delivered the assessment event with us, they were both professional and efficient, delivering the assessment reports, within 24 hours of the event, in a concise and informative way. The assessment process was extremely supportive and helpful enhancing our ability to identify the right person for the role”
Nadine Lagarmitte Managing Director Head of Financial Institutions, Payment and Cash Management Europe and Africa
PCM Team and Individual Development Project
“Thank you very much for an insightful discussion and feedback session. I do want to comment on my overall experience over the team meeting and this session . I have had many different leadership trainings over the past years in different companies but I felt that the task you where given by Tim and Serita was certainly not an easy one and you and Julie Lee challenged all of us and facilitated the meeting extremely well, with very well prepared individual work . The flexibility, energy and follow up of the service has been outstanding. I am glad I have met you and once again thanks for the feedback and your professionalism.”
John Morgans Director
E.ON Finance Competency Framework Project
“Zircon was asked to develop a behavioural competency model for the Finance department within E.ON. The Zircon team took time to understand our needs and interviewed 65 key stakeholders to identify the key business drivers and future challenges for E.ON. From this, Zircon developed a strategy document regarding the future requirements of the Finance business leaders and role holders. Once these had been defined, Zircon developed a straw model of the four levelled competency framework. They worked closely with us to review and refine the model, ensuring that it clearly reflected the language of our business. At all times Zircon were flexible in their approach as our objectives changed and evolved. As a result the Zircon team developed an aspirational competency model which is clearly aligned with the future needs of the business.”
Tim Dabson Executive Director – Beneficiation
Team Development Programme
“Zircon put together an extremely valuable team development day for us. The thorough preparation undertaken beforehand helped to ensure the session was effectively targeted and as relevant to our workplace as possible. The style and content of the session itself were tailored extremely well to suit our business needs and methods of working. Zircon were able to help us build on existing skills while also providing new insights. I have already seen the benefits of the workshop in real life workplace interactions and I would definitely use Zircon again as they exceeded our expectations and left us energised and prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Mike Lewis Project Manager
Senior Branch Leadership Programme Assessment Process
“Amanda and Richard worked hard to understand our business requirements, and were also very responsive to feedback. In addition to this the feedback from assessed candidates was exemplary, and the whole of the team came across as extremely professional”
Tony Price
Head of Business
“I have just completed 8 sessions with Jim Bloomfield which have been extremely useful indeed. I have to say that initially I was sceptical about the method and following the first meeting really questioned whether I would receive any benefit.
I had no previous exposure to this technique and took a while to understand that Jim was not there to provide me with answers. Rather he served simply as a facilitator for me to discuss and theorise about the issues I was dealing with both professionally and personally.
Jim and I agreed goals at the start of our sessions and then we focused on how I would achieve those goals, although the ideas were always my own rather than suggestions or advice from the coach.
Through these meetings I was able to create a work life balance statement. I was required to share this statement with family and friends in order to cement a commitment and I have been able to integrate this into my routine which has been life changing.”
Ann Deacon People Strategy, Corporate and Structured Banking
High Performance Development Programme
“Kathy Mearing and her team at Zircon worked with us in the Corporate segment within the Commercial Bank at HSBC UK in developing a number of our key high performing managers. The process worked efficiently and well and the output has helped us in our forward planning as well as the development of each of the individuals concerned. I would recommend Kathy and Zircon as an excellent partner to work with. ”
Emma Jeffries VP Global Organisation Development
Leadership Development Project
“Amanda and her team have consistently provided me with expert support, advice and consultation in the development and assessment of leadership talent within Iron Mountain. With great flexibility and a focus on results I would not hesitate to recommend Zircon as a business partner in this area”
James Allardice Head of Sales Development – HSBC Insurance UK
Restructure Programme
“Dr Amanda Potter works in a detailed and conscientious way to understand the, often complex, needs of her clients in order to deliver a business focussed solution. She and her team provide regular updates and guidance and all of their activities have been completed to a high standard within the agreed timelines. Dr Amanda has been involved in a challenging restructure and she has provided very valuable support personally, despite a broken leg(!) and this has meant that we have been able to make informed decisions. Thank you”
Samantha Maddick Head of HR
Leadership Assessment Programme
“We have recently worked with Zircon to complete the first phase of our Leadership assessment programme. Throughout the project Zircon were extremely professional, demonstrated strong technical knowledge, and quickly grasped the business context. Combined with their adaptable approach, the results were tangible and of significant value to our business.”
Joe Garner CEO
Talent Development Programme
“Amanda and her team were genuinely insightful and helpful in assisting us with developing our talent.”
Helen Charles HR Manager
Designing a new selection process for Customer Advisors
“The selection process designed by Zircon has been very successful for our organisation. PC World Staples Corner recently needed to fill 14 Customer Advisor vacancies. After receiving the application forms the store invited 60 candidates to complete the online psychometric test and questionnaire. On the basis of these results, they invited 16 candidates in to interview. The Store successfully recruited 14 of those 16 interviewed which is an 88% success rate at interview.”
Carole Driver Business Psychologist
Assessment Design and delivery
“Amanda and her colleagues have a detailed knowledge of psychometrics, and have supported our training and assessment activities over the past year. Zircon’s top qualities are their Expertise, Good Value & High Integrity.”
Tony McKenna Managing Director
Design and delivery of competency based assessment processes
“Zircon supported us with assessing and recruiting our Operations Directors. This was a massive appointment for us because it was the step we needed to take our business to the next level. They identified the behavioural competencies critical for success in our business and recognised the need to bring in an entrepreneur who is self reliant, self-managing and takes responsibility for delivering client success. Zircon gave me the confidence to make the selection decision knowing that it was made on the basis of objective criteria. We have the confidence that we had thoroughly tested the candidates and got the right people.”
Steve Korniotis Area Premier Manager
Course Design and Delivery
“Thank you very much for your hard work in delivering all the courses. The course was extremely well run and the content was very helpful. We will all be putting this into practice straight away. ”
Gerlinde Christian Talent Development EMEA
Development centre design using using 360 degree methodology
“Zircon’s ingenuity, flexibility and interest enabled us to make something quite unusual happen. It has been absolutely inspiring to work with you and we hope for more opportunities to work together in the future. It is rare to find people who can play with ideas like Beckham with a football, and you are definitely one of them.”
Rachel Richardson Group HR Director
Global Employee Engagement Project
“Amanda and her team at Zircon partnered exceptionally well with us to deliver a great piece of engagement research, analysis and interpretation for the Sportingbet businesses. Throughout the project Zircon were extremely professional, demonstrated strong technical knowledge, and quickly grasped the business context. Combined with their flexible and responsive approach, the results were tangible and of significant value to our business. She and her colleagues produced a series of focused reports on our capabilities, engagement strengths and development areas and team differences. She demonstrated high levels of statistical and analytical skill. Zircon handled the process seamlessly and did what they said they were going to do at each stage. A pleasure to work together.”
Nigel Sargent IT Director
Leadership Development and Coaching Project
“Iron Mountain was introduced to Zircon through a glowing reference from a delighted client, but what struck me at the outset was Amanda and Zircon’s subject-matter knowledge, commercial acumen and dedicated client-centred approach. We hired Amanda and her team in the summer of 2008 where they very quickly realized significant value by designing and rolling out a Development Feedback and Coaching programme to the Account Management leadership team. Time was of the essence as we were keen to gain real traction to ensure our leadership team was fully engaged and ready to deliver to the aggressive growth agenda. The results of the programme were a testament to Amanda and team’s professionalism, dedication and expertise in this field. The assessments were undertaken within a demanding schedule to a high professional standard both accurately and to a high integrity. The ongoing feedback, development and coaching is exceeding the originally agreed goals. Personally, I am very much looking forward to continue working with Amanda and the Zircon team for many years to come.”
Jacky Griffiths Head of HR, CMB
Spinnaker Sailing for Development
“Amazing and surprising that we were actually sailing in Cowes as a competitor, how fantastic” were the words spoken by Noel Quinn, the General Manager HSBC Commercial Banking as he fed back on the sailing experience with Zircon. We had used zircon to help us facilitate our top team leadership development programme and this was a fantastic way to kick start the journey. I feel that the team benefited hugely from this and I have a good platform to focus the remaining offsite days on. Thank you Amanda for dropping me that initial email advising me of this opportunity. An experience not to be missed.
Mina Begum HR Manager
Spinnaker Sailing for Development
“Thank you for an amazing day; I had a great time meeting everyone and learning the basics of sailing. It was really good to learn about myself and how I work within a team in high pressure situations. Jim and Pip were fantastic teachers, never raising their voices but getting across the urgency of a situation.”
David Flower Head of Service and Sales, Business Banking
Spinnaker Sailing for Development
“A great day out – combining practical teambuilding, leadership and communications, networking with people from different industries, the enjoyment of sailing and the adrenaline from competing against the other crew”.
Paul Luen Managing Director
Assessment
“Amanda was quite simply brilliant in her delivery of a first class service to assess candidates we were considering employment. She handled the whole process seamlessly and did exactly what she said she was going to do at each stage – rare indeed! She is engaging and I consider her an expert in her field. I would highly recommend Amanda to anyone considering using her services. A pleasure to work together.”
Noel Quinn General Manager, CMB
Commercial Banking Leadership Development Programme
“Money well spent.”
Dr Janet Barker Learning Development Consultant
Development
“Dr Amanda Potter provide a detailed bid when required within a very short timescale. She showed excellent understanding of our needs and delivered all requirements to a high standard. We would be happy to use her and her team again.”
