The candidate database is becoming ever more important for HR recruiters as clients seek HR professionals with experience in their own sector.

Richard Colgan, chief executive at Oakleaf Partnership, told Recruiter that the database was integral to finding the right cultural fit.

“What is different for HR is the culture. Different sectors have different cultures in terms of decision-making and communication. It is harder to change sectors at every level and people are tending to buy like-for-like.

“You have to network with a sector to source those clients.”

Michael Henry, director at Optimus Consultants, adds: “Everyone on our database is a generalist. What we try and get from them is their key areas of expertise, whether that be TUPE or managing employee relations issues. And because we focus on interim, we focus on the markets they work in. We know the markets they work in and it narrows our search very quickly.”