About Andrew
Andrew Kingston has been a Netiro partner since September 2023 and has worked in recruitment for over 20 years. Andrew’s career moves have always been motivated by finding a challenge that stretches his skills and knowledge.
In Andrews words, he is a typical recruiter who fell into the career and found his calling. Having found a niche in the industrial and manufacturing side, he has pursued recruitment in that space where “there is dirt, and grease, and oil involved.”
After the pandemic he noticed there was a potential to look at working in a different way while remaining within the executive search field.
With changes in his personal life, including the birth of his second child, Andrew wanted to find a role that would give him more time with his family while capitalising on the experience, knowledge, and connections he had built up in his career.
What attracted Andrew to Netiro?
Andrew has a clear view when it comes to understanding what is at the core of working in an executive search role. “The customer facing part of the job is what I’m good at, building relationships, understanding my clients, and having the freedom to help them build their careers. The organisations I recruit for trust me to uncover the talent they need to grow. My previous role had come to a natural end, so I grabbed the opportunity to join Tim Gear-Evans at Netiro. He was offering the chance to use my experience and play to my strengths.”
What he liked about the Netiro brand was the authenticity and “allowing people to be who they want to be.” The access to the background support and the ability to mould a business within the Netiro culture but with full autonomy and accountability for your work was highly attractive to Andrew. “If you need to be driven by KPI’s and performance targets to work then taking a salary from a corporate employer is probably best for you.”
“If you want to be judged on the outcomes rather than the process, then Netiro is the place for you”.
What are the benefits of working with Netiro?
Andrew states that in his first year working for himself through Netiro he has earned as much as in previous years but with two thirds more time for his family.
Netiro allows him to focus on the client facing work he excels at, with the support of the Netiro team to back that up. “Work life balance is used a lot, but it is about life and doing fulfilling work which supports the lifestyle.”
What would Andrew say to someone thinking of joining Netiro?
“If you know what good looks like for you, and you understand what you offer to your clients and the organisations looking for them, then it’s a no brainer.”
“Someone who is a fee generator will want to know about the numbers and if you can bill the same amount as in a corporate role, but you want to double the amount of free time and you don’t want someone else managing your time, then come here. My initial anxieties about setting up a company, specifically thinking about tax and marketing elements, was all taken care of. If you need to be motivated to get on with work then Netiro, or self-employment, won’t be for you. But if you are a self-starter who thrives on the day’s challenges then come to Netiro.”
Andrew’s conclusion
“After being employed by companies for the best part of two decades, going in a more independent direction felt scary and a risk …. fast forward to now, a year under my belt of being my own boss, setting my own targets and knowing ‘what good looks like’ … I’ve never been happier.”
