International Cyber and Information Security Consultancy

Sourcing an IT Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Consultant to Support Business Expansion.

The Challenge

When an international cyber and information security consultancy relocated their operations from London to Cheltenham, they faced the challenge of hiring an IT Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Consultant—a highly specialised and niche role.

This position required a candidate with a rare blend of technical expertise, financial sector experience, and the flexibility to travel across the UK and Europe. Additionally, the candidate needed to be based in the South West of England, further narrowing the talent pool. Aware of the complexity of this search, the client sought a recruitment partner with proven experience in identifying and securing top talent for hard-to-fill roles.

The Solution

Xist4 began by visiting the client’s new Cheltenham office to gain a deeper understanding of their operations, culture, and specific needs for the role. This allowed Xist4 to create a tailored recruitment strategy designed to address the unique requirements of the position.

The approach combined:

• Targeted Search: Conducting a detailed talent search focused on professionals with IT GRC expertise and financial sector experience.
• Proactive Methods: Leveraging referral networks within the finance domain and engaging with candidates via social and business networking platforms.
• Traditional Recruitment Activities: Optimised job advertisements and database searches to complement the proactive efforts.

Xist4’s comprehensive strategy ensured a wide-reaching search while maintaining a strong focus on quality and cultural fit.

The Result

Xist4’s rigorous search process identified several high-calibre candidates. After an in-depth qualification process—including face-to-face, video, and telephone interviews—a refined shortlist of highly skilled IT GRC professionals was presented to the client.

The client successfully hired an exceptional candidate who not only met the technical and financial expertise requirements but also demonstrated the adaptability needed for their high-profile projects across the UK and Europe.

Impressed by the efficiency and quality of Xist4’s process, the client appointed Xist4 as their preferred technology recruitment partner for future roles.