NSCG
Tom Crowfoot
Meet

Tom Crowfoot

MY ROLE
Head of Research

I am the Head of Research in out Talent Intelligence team.

What experience and expertise do you bring to your role?

After an earlier career in the military, I entered recruitment in 1996 and then search in 2000. My 20+ years’ research experience has seen me work with industry leaders such as Alexander Mann, Norman Broadbent, Sheffield Haworth and CTPartners where I have built high performing research teams serving multiple industry sectors around the world. These teams have spanned a mixture of either pure Executive Search and, or market & competitor intelligence.

How are you helping people to achieve their full potential?

Training and empowerment, I’m a big believer in encouraging my team to think and try new approaches to situations and training is best taught through understanding rather than repetition

What are your thoughts on the future of your sector?

I work across multiple sectors where I have seen a rise in the demand for Data, but often this is too AI driven with an, almost, dumbing down of context and true knowledge.  There is quite definitely a place for this kind of research, but it is no substitute for executive search – without context and knowledge, data is just numbers and getting the blend right is key to success.

What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies?

I am an avid traveller and enjoy experiencing new places and cultures. On a more day to day basis, I am a tennis and AFC Wimbledon fan (Season ticket holder). I enjoy documentaries, DIY and, whilst less enjoyable, I also keep fit.

What’s your top three podcasts/books?

The Rest Is Politics Podcast (Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart), Freakonomics (Podcast & Book), I don’t have a third favourite – I enjoy exploring different genres but mainly nonfiction & biographies, if pushed I’d say: ‘Open’ – Andre Agassi’s autobiography

What’s your go-to productivity trick?

There are 2 main things – 1. ‘Think Sustainability’ on repetitive tasks to create a process you can tweak for the future.  2. When in doubt put yourself in the shoes of the client / recipient & that usually leads the way

How do you prefer to start your day?

I am an early riser, if it’s an office day then its up & out asap and catch up on the news on the train, if it’s a home working day then its normally an early morning swim

What was your first job?

My 1st proper job was an Infantry Officer in, what is now, The Yorkshire Regiment. In my Gap Year before joining the Army, I set up a landscape gardening business.

What’s the best advice you were ever given?

The best wit is bought wit, so long as you don’t pay too highly for it.