Richard Longstreet launches recruitment business Tarka Talent

01 February 2021 Consultancy.uk

Tarka Talent, a new recruitment business targeting the strategy, transformation, and change management sector, has launched. Founded by Richard Longstreet, an ex-management consultant who has been recruiting in this space for the past five years, Tarka Talent works both with consultancies and industry clients looking to hire consultants.

Commenting on why he has now taken the step to launch an own business, Longstreet said, “Now is the perfect time as strategy and transformation skills are more than ever in demand. Even before the recent pandemic companies that couldn’t transform were getting left behind. New challengers and changing customer expectations across every industry are forcing incumbents to keep transforming.” 

Clients work with consultants on such transformations, and Tarka Talent will help consulting firms with building their respective talent base. “We work with strategy consultancies, those more focused on transformation delivery, and specialist providers focused on skills including innovation and culture change,” said Longstreet. 

Richard Longstreet, Founder, Tarka Talent

While Tarka Talent serves several of the large well-known consulting brands, the recruiter also serves a number of “leading boutiques that have ridden the pandemic well and are now in an exceptionally strong position heading into 2021.” Adding, “Given the strong relationships we have with boutiques, and our understanding of how best to support smaller consultancies that might not have the brand name of the larger firms with their recruitment, this is a particularly exciting area for us.” 

In the consulting-exit space, Tarka Talent will help industry clients take advantage of the skills and experience that ex-consultants can bring. “In the strategy space we recruit across commercial and corporate strategy, innovation and digital strategy. We’re sector agnostic, and recruit on both a permanent and contract basis in this space.” 

“We also recruit direct to industry across the transformation and change lifecycle. If a company is looking for someone to shape a transformation programme, a team to conduct the delivery, or they’re setting up an internal transformation function, we can help.” Meanwhile, in private equity, the firm works with the value creation and portfolio optimisation arms of funds, and also with their portfolio businesses.

Backed by 11 Investments group

Having recruited into the consulting market since leaving a career in consulting with Capgemini Invent, Longstreet previously built the consulting recruitment practice for 3Search, part of the 11 Investments network of recruitment businesses, and is excited to still be working with the 11 Investments group. 

“Taking my arm of the 3Search business to form Tarka Talent, with the backing of the 11 Investments group, is a really exciting opportunity to build on the hard work that has gone into the last five years. Launching a new brand within the 11 Investments group allows me create a truly specialised offering at a time when the consulting skillset is particularly in demand, while leveraging the nous of a group of Directors who have previously built successful recruitment businesses. It also allows me to continue my existing relationships with candidates and clients, rather than starting afresh.” 

“Choosing the name for a business is a really difficult process, and I was really keen that the company’s name linked back to me in some way. The name Tarka Talent comes from the story of Tarka the Otter, by Henry Williamson. The book is based in North Devon, and tells the story of an otter and his struggles through life. I’m Devon born and bred and thought Tarka was an excellent icon to reflect where I’m from.”