Harper Fox

Harper Fox Search Partners provide senior leadership talent and executive search solutions for the global energy, engineering, manufacturing, transport, technology and utilities sectors. It is a female-owned boutique search firm, offering a bespoke service to their clients, with offices in London, Birmingham and Texas.

• As a search firm it has achieved a 43% increase in placing diverse talent. 
• Harper Fox drove higher engagement on recruitment campaigns through its DEI practices – for example, job descriptions that had been gender decoded received a 30% increase in female applicants. It also helped clients tap into diverse candidates not previously engaged with. As a result, clients are seeing increased employee engagement, higher innovation and faster problem solving in their businesses.
• Its Trailblazer Talks series is enabling and encouraging clients to have conversations around more sensitive and difficult topics such as how to support menopausal employees, mental health and black identity in the workplace. The free ‘Harper Fox Guide to Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent in STEM’ has been shared with a wider community of clients and is actively facilitating employers to develop their internal policies and practices.

Judges’ comments

Harper Fox fought off tough opposition in this category, “and if there was an opposite to the tickbox approach sometimes given to DEI, it is this company”, the judges said. “A very human and authentic entry, and when it says it tries to be different it clearly is.” The statistics and metrics show it is making a tangible difference to its clients’ recruiting practices when it comes to DEI. The judges applauded the business for the upskilling work it does for clients and various voluntary initiatives. Judges felt the stand-out project was the STEM:Diversified event for clients and prospects, giving representation to a much under-represented group and which it funded itself. Excellent testimonials and supporting information.