Source; Carl D Francis, Chief Executive of Adria Ltd, Northern Ireland and Director of Amicus Partners Ltd.

I first met Wayne Thomas in 1994 when he, acting on behalf of one of Europe's largest and most successful engineering groups at that time ­ Siebe (now Invensys) - recruited me as VP Finance for a $1bn business. Eighteen months later I became a Divisional President ­ and subsequently Divisional Chief Executive at Senior plc, Joint Chief Executive at Caudwell Communications, and most recently I entered the Private Equity industry.

Over the years, I have retained Wayne's services on over a dozen occasions, and have taken WT Consulting as a key supplier of high level executive talent with me when I myself have moved into new roles with new groups.

I confess that Wayne normally gets my toughest assignments, ranging from the CFO of the £250m Recovery Division of Europe's largest engineering group, to a variety of Subsidiary Managing Directorships at companies across Europe.

An assignment which demonstrates why I rely on WT Consulting was one that I initially described to Wayne as “a bitch of an assignment in a bitch of a place, I am not sure that you will want to handle it” ­ an MD to turnaround a failing business in Northern Jutland, Denmark. I anticipated a number of reasons (excuses) why the job and the location would lead to a long and difficult search process. Instead, I got an innovative search strategy, an excellent shortlist of very different but very worthwhile candidates, and ultimately the right person for the job starting about five months after my first call to WayneÉa result that I consider highly creditable.

As a final proof of success, that candidate not only succeeded in the turnaround of that business, but eighteen months later was promoted to a much larger European role.

WT Consulting has consistently provided me with solid search strategies, good insights into the needs of the role, fast and high-quality shortlists, and valuable negotiating prowess when it comes to landing the right candidate.

As an anglicised american executive with a typically strong focus on immediacy and results, Wayne's “can do” attitude and exceptional commitment, have been refreshingly welcomed. I recommend WT Consulting without reservation.