If hiring feels harder than it should be, you're not alone
The biggest constraint on a company’s success is its ability to recruit and keep the right people. I’m here to help you do both.
The Critical Hire Sprint
Find the hire who fits, delivers and pays for themselves. FAST.
Hiring mistakes cost businesses time, money, and energy. I know how to prevent them.
You need an approach built on deep expertise, insight, and a process that makes hiring faster and easier, not harder.
This isn’t about volume. It’s about precision.
I will find your next best candidate in less than 4 weeks.
That's what I do best.
I cut through the chaos of hiring, in founder-led tech SMEs, fixing broken processes and filling critical roles with precision.
Debbie Wyatt
Founder of Feather Grey
“Here we go again, we’ve got a new role to fill.”
*Clears diary for the foreseeable*
Is this you?
"I get it."
It’s hard to feel excited when:
You’re pulled in every direction, juggling meetings, job ads, and candidate follow-ups.
Your team is stretched too thin, with burnout looming as key roles remain vacant.
You’re a bit jaded and sceptical of recruiters over promising and under delivering.
Hiring feels reactive and knee-jerk, leaving you scrambling when things hit breaking point.
Job boards and your network aren’t delivering the right candidates.
Your process feels chaotic, and decisions are second-guessed.
You already feel the impact of hiring struggles,
but the real cost may surprise you.
Here’s how bad hiring drains your business... ❌
...and what can happen when you get it right… ✅
Imagine if instead, you had the confidence to hire the right person every time keeping your business moving forward.
With a talent pipeline in place, you’re always ready for new opportunities.
So, you can finally...
Focus on what matters most.
Lead your business with confidence, knowing that you have got the most brilliant team around you.
Seize every opportunity.
With the right people in place, you can commit to new projects, grab that larger market share with both hands!
Build a thriving team.
Your employer brand is AMAZING, in fact you’ll have people knocking on your door asking for a job.
Deliver results.
Happy customers, who recommend you to their network, because your reputation speaks for itself. My personal favourite!
Hire with confidence.
Every new hire becomes a key member of your team, winning hearts and doing brilliant work.
I’m Debbie Wyatt, Founder of Feather Grey Consulting.
I’ve spent nearly 30 years in recruitment, and I’ve seen a lot - both agency side and in-house. I’ve worked in fast-paced tech SMEs, corporate agencies, and start-ups. I’ve learned that the stakes are always high, but nowhere are they higher than in founder-led businesses.
One great hire can transform your company and one wrong one can set you back months or worse. I hope you’ve had mostly ‘great hires’ in your time. But, if that’s not been the case, then this has to stop now.
Because growth depends on getting this right, and fast.
That's where I come in...
What you should know about me...
I'm consultative
I’ll work with you to clarify the role and understand the impact you are looking for the hire to make.
I value integrity
No shortcuts, no quick fixes, this is about doing the right thing, always. Even if it means not making the placement.
I'm selective
I work with a handful of clients at any one time to deliver exceptional results. I’m not an agency churning through vacancies. I choose fewer, deeper partnerships, so you get my expertise, and a hiring process that feels specific to you. I will become your Talent Partner if you like.
I'm trusted
My business runs on referrals from founders who know I deliver. We talk about why hiring can feel hard, organisational changes, where things are stuck, and how to fix it, confidentially and without judgment.
I'm precise
Everyone I introduce has been assessed not just for skills, but for how they’ll actually fit into your business. I don’t rely on keyword-matching or gut feel. I take the time to understand your culture, your ways of working, and what “success” looks like in your world. No wading through irrelevant CV’s.
I know what you're thinking…
"How can you compete with the big agencies?"
A tech founder asked me this recently and my answer was simple:
"If their reach is working, why are we having this conversation?"
Within 30 days, I found the right hire. The big agency’s numbers-driven approach hadn’t worked, but mine did. The CEO now describes me as an ‘Incisive Partner” and I am their ‘go-to for all of their critical hires. That hire didn’t just fill a role, 3 years in they’ve become a key part of the business’s growth journey and have been promoted too.
A success I think you would agree!
CEO’s choose us because we are not a big agency. We have the freedom to do things differently which is why our clients get results.
At Feather Grey, things are done differently...
Recent client transformations
Precision where it matters
Helped a founder struggling with months of failed hiring secure a high-impact leader in just 30 days. Who, then delivered a client project on time and on budget, the first time that this happened within the business.
Leadership that lasts
Recruited an Operations Manager who streamlined operations, introduced automation leading to driving better client retention and reduced churn
Unearth hidden gems
A client urgently needed to appoint a Head of Finance, and traditional Finance Recruiters delivered on skill but not cultural alignment. I found the perfect talent and culture match. 2 years on and he's building his finance team.
Introducing...
The Critical Hire Sprint
Finding you the hire who fits, delivers, and pays for themselves, fast.
This isn’t just another recruitment service.
It’s a fast-track, expert-led solution designed to fix what’s not working and get you the right hire, quickly and without the usual headaches.
Forget the usual frustration and dead ends. Instead, get used to finding a brilliant, well-matched hire within a month. No wasted time. No uncertainty. Just a clear path to finding the person who will make a real impact on your business.
No doubt, you will sleep better at night.
You’ll go from “Will this never end?!” to confidently welcoming someone who not only fits your culture but delivers results from day one.
This is the difference: clarity, confidence, and speed.
How it works
In just 4 weeks, here’s what I'll do...
1
Diagnose & course-correct
What I’ll do:
- Undertake a Recruitment Audit
- Meet with you (Teams or F2F) for a thorough briefing
- Review what went wrong with your previous hiring attempts (ad, process, salary, expectations).
- Reposition the role to fit the current market.
- Craft a compelling job ad and outreach message
- Confirm format of interviews, stages and who will be part of the process
- Agree dates and times for interviews and block out diaries
- Gain clarity on why things haven’t worked and fix the root issue
- Position your role to attract the right talent.
- Save time by starting with a strong foundation and a focused strategy.
2
Find the right people fast
What I’ll do:
- Tap into my deep network and expertise to source, headhunt, advertise, and screen candidates.
- Conduct video interviews & create a shortlist of brilliant, well-matched candidates with briefing notes.
- You skip the guesswork and only meet high-quality, pre-vetted candidates.
- Save countless hours, you’ll feel excited, not drained, when reviewing your shortlist.
- Ensure cultural alignment and technical fit from day one.
3
Guide final selection & offer stage
What I’ll do:
- Handle offer negotiations to secure your ideal hire smoothly.
- Land your perfect hire without the stress of salary negotiations.
- Build trust with candidates, setting the tone for a great start.
This is hiring done differently...
Tailored to your needs
I fix what’s not working and align the process with your culture and goals.
No time wasted
Pre-vetted candidates mean no sifting through irrelevant CVs.
One high-value solution
No long-term commitments (although I hope we’ll work together again, usually do), just results fast.
By the end of 4 weeks, you’ll have your hire locked in. They’ll not only fit your team but also deliver results that make a lasting impact.
And the best news is that after working together, you will...
Stop feeling overwhelmed and second-guessing every decision, and start feeling confident, clear, and in control of hiring.
Finally, have a robust process that works. This isn’t another ‘spray and pray’ recruitment approach; it’s a proven method tailored to your needs.
Have confidence in every hire. A rigorous process means you will get the right fit, not just the fastest option.
This isn’t just about filling a role,
it’s about transforming how you feel, think, and lead, so your business can grow with confidence.
What my clients have to say...
But, it’s not just about our clients, our brilliant candidates reckon I am pretty good too...
All sounding good?
However, this isn't for every business
We're a great match if you are...
✅ A Founder-led growth focused B2B tech SME.
You’ll likely have somewhere between 10 and 70+ employees, and key hires are critical to driving sustainable profits.
✅ Time-poor founders and leadership teams.
You’re juggling hiring alongside running the business and need a trusted partner to take recruitment off your plate.
✅ A company that has struggled to hire the right people.
Whether it’s been bad experiences with recruiters or drawn-out, frustrating processes, you’re ready for a better way.
✅ A business without a big employer brand.
You may not be a household name (yet, or ever, it’s good - you do you), but you absolutely have something special to offer, if only the right candidates could see it.
✅ A SMEs that prioritise culture and team dynamics.
You know a bad hire costs more than no hire at all. You’re looking for someone who will add to your team, not just fit on paper. Collaboration and strong relationships will help power you through the day.
✅ A Company that doesn’t need a full-time recruiter.
You don’t hire often enough to justify an in-house recruiter but still need expert, structured hiring support when you do.
Here's who it won't work for...
❌ Large corporations with internal talent teams.
If you already have a dedicated recruitment function, I’m not your gal.
❌ Businesses focused on high-volume, low-cost recruitment.
If you just want a stack of CVs or the cheapest option available. How is that going?
❌ Founders who see hiring as a ‘numbers game.
If you believe hiring is about quantity over quality, or don’t care about culture, values, or long-term fit, this isn’t for you. Not sure what this says about your Employer Brand….
❌ Companies that aren’t ready to take action.
If you’re happy letting vacancies drag on, delay feedback, or won’t commit to timelines, this won’t work. My candidates don’t hang around.
❌ Businesses relying on AI and automation for recruitment.
If you think job boards or algorithms can replace hiring expertise, this isn’t the solution for you. We need to be human!
❌ Companies looking for a ‘quick CV drop.
If you just want a one-and-done transactional recruiter, without strategy or partnership, this isn’t the right service. We both need to have skin in the game.
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We are not a Tech SME, but we’d like to work with you. Can you help us?I’d love too, really I would. And whilst I’ve worked within different sectors previously, the tech space is my happy place, so I’d have to say no. I can recommend someone though, if you would like?
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What types of jobs do you fill?You know from above that I’ve sworn allegiance to working with founder led Tech SME’’s often in SaaS, EdTech and E-Learning. Well the folk I find are needed for every function across your business, especially if you want to remain competitive. So, it could be a Finance Assistant or a CFO, a Software Development Manager to a Product Owner, Change and Project Management, Sales and Marketing, Operations and Analytics
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I've got other agencies working on this too, is that OK?Sorry, but that doesn't work for me, or you I am sure. Multiple agencies encourage volume over quality. Not a good use of anyone’s time, I cherry-pick the best, not show you everyone and anyone with a CV.
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What makes you different from working with a big agency?Big agencies focus on volume, they are all about the K-P-I’s. Not me, I focus on precision. I consistently deliver a shortlist of brilliant candidates who will give you hope that you can build out your teams with confidence.
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How do I know this will work when other avenues haven't?Because I don’t rely on generic processes. I use a forensic, incisive approach to find the right person. My track record of 30 years’ experience speaks for itself, my hires deliver, and they stay.
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How do you ensure cultural fit?I start by understanding your values, team dynamics, and the role's impact. Then I look beyond just skills and experience to find someone who’ll not only thrive in your environment but add to it, massively. Call it my superpower if you will, it allows me to notice the things that haven’t been said, but will be important.
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What if I am hiring for multiple roles?This is often the case, and why my clients are still with me from when I first set up Feather Grey Consulting 7 years ago. But, the Critical Hire Sprint is designed to focus on one key hire at a time. So, we firstly determine which role is most critical, by understanding the impact of not having this person in place and I will then find them. From there we agree and hatch a plan to build out your teams, ensuring every hire is the right one.
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What if we don't find someone in the 30 days?It’s rare, but if it were to happen, I’ll continue working with you to find the right hire. The 30-day sprint is built for speed and precision, but my commitment doesn’t stop until the right person is in place.
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Do we need to agree timelines and dates for interviews?Yes. Clear timelines are essential for delivering within the sprint. Your availability and commitment to the process will have a direct impact on securing the right hire in 30 days.
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Do you have a probation guarantee?Yes, the people I place with you are in it for the long haul - they want to grow their careers with you. But on the rare occasion things don’t work out within the first 6 months probation period, we can talk it through to understand why and what needs to be done so you're not at a loss. If your new hire suddenly decides to backpack across South America, I’ll find you a replacement free of charge (and take away their passport - kidding!). If they leave because their role or the business has shifted, that’s trickier, but I’ll work with you to find a solution we’re all happy with. In seven years, I’ve retained every single client. That’s got to count for something.
Teams/Zoom/GoogleMeet/Phone/F2F - it’s likely that we’ll be doing all of this over time...
...But first things first, let’s arrange a call.
I CANNOT WAIT to speak with you.
Interested in finding out more about Feather Grey? Have a look at my website here.
