Sustainability

Helping John Swire & Sons Achieve Their Sustainability Goals

About John Swire & Sons

John Swire & Sons (JS&S) is a 200-year-old private family firm with a multitude of business in Asia, US and EU working within international trade and development, and with over 100,000 employees worldwide. JS&S Private Group consists of eight individual operating companies across international businesses, including cold storage, biofuels, energy services, tea and coffee, water servicing and engineering, container shipping business, steamships, property and hotels.

JS&S is headquartered in the UK and is responsible for formulating and directing overall group strategy and provides a range of services and support to the group of companies.

As a forward-thinking company, the Group is firmly committed to the integration of sustainability across its diverse range of businesses to minimise environmental impact and enrich the lives of communities around the globe.

Our Partnership Story

Initially, JS&S reached out to Climate17 to recruit a permanent Climate & Nature Manager role they had struggled to fill previously, recognising our expertise in sustainability recruitment. This newly created role, leading and overseeing nature-led carbon-offsetting projects for long-term carbon removal requirements across the Group, required knowledge and experience in decarbonisation, carbon offsetting and project management, coupled with a passion for nature and biodiversity.

In addition to this, the departure of their Sustainable Development Manager created an urgent need for a suitable replacement, leading JS&S to turn to us for assistance. This second role for a strategic thinker required all-round technical sustainability knowledge, with demonstrable sustainable business transformation and change management experience and the ability to work with senior stakeholders at the highest level, advising, influencing and developing strategies to make a positive change within a complex multi-sector organisation.

By partnering with them for these two key roles, we played a pivotal role in successfully sourcing strong candidates that not only met the technical requirements but also aligned with JS&S’s broader sustainability goals, all within a set timeframe.

Challenges & Our Consultative Solutions

Filling two roles within a 2-month window presented challenges of its own. In addition, these roles required candidates who could commit to three set days in London, bring relevant experience and navigate the intricacies of a large multiple sector organisation. The departure of the Sustainable Development Manager also added an extra layer of complexity, with the need of an interim cover if a suitable replacement was not found in time, potentially creating a third recruitment project.

Recognising JS&S’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, we presented a shortlist with anonymised CVs. The selection process was intricate and rigorous, taking candidates through four-stages of interviews, including three in-person, with the addition of a presentation task and psychometric, numerical and verbal assessments. 

Coordinating this extensive process required meticulous management. We ensured the alignments of schedules, allowed time for the assessments, and provided candidates with the necessary support throughout the various stages. Building on this, we also collaborated with JS&S to refine their job specifications and interview tasks, offering our insights into key attributes to seek in candidates.

Navigating the intricacies of today's competitive sustainability market requires more than just sending CVs to fill positions; it demands adept forecasting, a deep understanding of market dynamics, and an extensive network of engaged talent. By utilising our expertise in sustainability recruitment and applying a consultative approach, we effectively navigated and managed these complex processes, meeting JS&S’s hiring needs and filling both roles within the required timeframes.

The Outcomes

“Rachel and the Climate 17 team successfully filled two positions within a tight two-month timeframe. They provided us with high-calibre candidates and were quick to revisit and refine their shortlist whenever we felt the need. They were responsive to problems, and their adaptability was evident throughout the process. We also greatly appreciated their commitment to incorporating DEI strategies, which align with our team’s values. 

They efficiently took over the recruiting role, delivering strong candidates and managing the administrative aspects with ease. They also navigated relatively complex steps, including the administration of psychometric tests, with competence. Overall, they were effective in achieving rapid results within our timelines.”

-Lateefah Arewa, Sustainable Development Coordinator, John Swire & Sons

 “Rachel was incredibly helpful in my job search, providing professional support throughout the process. Her timely advice and feedback were key in securing my new position. I highly recommend Rachel to anyone seeking a dedicated and effective recruiter.”

- Joseph Fisher, Climate & Nature Manager, John Swire & Sons

“Rachel and the Climate17 team supported my transition from Australia to an exciting role in London. Rachel is a warm and proactive recruiter who took the time to understand my strengths and match them appropriately. I felt reassured after both meetings that the team genuinely listened and had a fantastic network that they could draw upon to give me realistic leads. 

I ended up participating in a competitive, multi-phase recruitment process and Rachel was supportive the whole way through by ensuring I got timely answers to questions I had on the business and process, and by following up with debrief calls afterwards. I had an extremely positive experience and would strongly recommend Rachel and the team.”

- Alison Freeman, Sustainable Development Manager, John Swire & Sons

Through a collaborative approach and shared commitment to driving sustainable and impactful change, Climate17 has been instrumental in strengthening JS&S’s workforce and supporting their ongoing growth and success. Despite the complexities and timeframes, we successfully guided JS&S through their recruitment challenges and enabled them to secure talent that perfectly aligns with the role requirements and their strategic goals.

Interested in collaborating? Let’s work together to make a difference. Reach out to our team here. 

Otherwise, our UK Sustainability page might provide you with the insights and information you are seeking regarding our presence and expertise in this dynamic market. We look forward to working together!