WORDS : SARAH WALKER PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Where interim management meets recruitment
Steven Turnbull is using decades of experience to help businesses with bespoke management recruitment issues .
VALUABLE RESOURCE
Steven Turnbull ’ s new business helps to create industry managers of the future – in Aycliffe and beyond …
After more than 30 years working in operational and engineering management , Aycliffe-based Steven Turnbull still has the “ fire in his belly ” to give 110 per cent wherever he goes .
Steven , who is passionate about helping businesses improve their operational management processes – as well as recruiting the right person for the permanent job – is applying his decades of experience to making a success of his new venture , Steven Turnbull Resource .
His work will see him take up the role of interim manager for firms with a gap in their management resources , while he helps the business improve its current structure and culture , before recruiting the right permanent replacement for the team .
It ’ s a cost-effective solution for businesses , who get the benefit of someone working in the vacant role , at the same time as looking for the right new person to slot into the team permanently .
Steven explains : “ I offer interim management to help a company if they are short of a manager and it ’ s putting a management team under pressure .
“ I can bridge that gap and I can also help them to recruit .
“ The benefit of this approach is that I would be working in the position and would understand exactly what type of character is required – and I could go out and headhunt that person .”
Steve also helps the teams he works
with improve and become more efficient , empowering staff and analysing their current structure and working practices .
He draws on more than 30 years ’ experience , during which he held lots of highprofile positions with four employers , gaining promotion several times as a long-standing employee .
It ’ s this kind of ability that left Steven feeling like he had “ more to give ” when he began working solely as a recruiter .
“ I know what it takes to stay within a company for a long time and be successful ,” he says .
“ As a recruiting interim manager , I would cost no more than that person being in position , so I could help the company get the right people in place and work for them in the interim until that happens , without putting the company under any pressure from a costs point of view .”
Steven ’ s recent work has seen him plug a gap in management at Stellex Manufacturing in Morpeth , where he is also recruiting for the role he is currently working in on a temporary basis .
“ I ’ m going to induct the successful candidate and stay with them for a month to make sure they settle right in ,” Steven says .
“ I ’ ve also been able to support the company to restructure how the workforce operates in terms of empowerment , who can now have the courage to make their own decisions .
“ They ’ ve come a long way in the three months I ’ ve been there – things are really starting to happen now and they are doing really well .
“ I ’ ve also recently completed a project management assignment with Modern Precision Engineering in Aycliffe , which enabled MPE to avoid the long-term cost of employing a full-time project manager , demonstrating it ’ s not all about recruitment .”
For Steven , this is the most satisfying part of running his business , as an “ inclusive leader ” who enjoys watching teams and people grow and developing a positive culture within businesses .
“ People are the most important thing to me ,” he says .
“ I enjoy talking to and developing people and watching them grow within the business .
“ Firms might say ‘ I need a production manager ’ but they are not looking at why they need them – that ’ s something where I can add value , supporting them to recruit the right person , who will be there for a long time , rather than recruiting over and over again .”
Steven is excited about the prospect of working with companies on his doorstep across Aycliffe Business Park .
“ For any companies that have a gap in their management team , I ’ m a local resource ,” he says .
“ I ’ m happy with where it ’ s going – there has been work available from day one and it ’ s developing .
“ I ’ m hoping to be able to help more companies in the local area recruit the managers of the future and continue to make a positive contribution to local industry .”
To enquire about Steven Turnbull ’ s services , call 07555 753623 or email steven . turnbull623 @ outlook . com .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 21