Matthew Gardner- Managing Director, Ambition UK & Europe
Matthew Gardner’s enviable career trajectory has been fuelled by equal parts openness and hard work, a combination that aligns with Ambition’s overall ethic of excellence. As the international recruitment firm’s Managing Director for the UK and Europe, he brings to this episode of Leaders with Ambition a unique insider’s perspective on the legal and professional services industries.
Matt shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana the true north values that propelled him from his initial role as a trainee fresh out of university to the highest reaches of global management. He highlights lessons learned from key mentors who helped him navigate as a brand new recruiter facing a historically challenging job market and reflects on a career-defining early managerial stint in Singapore.
You’ll hear about the priority Matt places on fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace environment and what it is about the recruitment space that has kept him engaged. “We’ve grown up with people through their careers – seen them get married, have children,” says Matt, who started at Ambition 16 years ago. “To be part of that is incredibly rewarding and we’re in a privileged position to be able to make positive impacts.”
In looking ahead, Matt sees seismic change (both market shifts and tech innovation) in the legal and professional services space as well as equally tremendous opportunity for growth. He also shares words of wisdom for aspiring leaders, including advice about the importance of seeking out first-rate colleagues and taking control of our careers – successes and failures alike.
“The best feedback generally is the worst feedback, the most confronting, the feedback that makes you feel most uncomfortable in the moment,” says our guest. “But if you work through that and don’t put barriers up …you’ll grow.”
If you enjoyed this discussion, please click here to find previous episodes of Leaders with Ambition.
Key Takeaways:
Starting out
How an idyllic Lincolnshire upbringing with parents he admired shaped Matt’s values and goals, including the pursuit of a university degree and professional excellence.
The right fit
Why Ambition felt right out of the gate like a good match for Matt’s skills, interests and desire to work in an environment that offered both support and ongoing challenge.
All in
What a strong work ethic and commitment to throwing himself into even the most daunting situations did to earn Matt notice, credibility and career acceleration.
Key to success
About the role mentoring played in Matt’s grounding in the nuances of recruitment and strategies for success (even amidst what was a historically tough job market).
Critical ingredient
Why strong, trusted relationships – with clients, candidates and colleagues alike – are a singularly important cornerstone for long-term growth in the recruitment space.
Real responsibility
About supporting people through the stress of recruitment with honesty, respect, substantive feedback and empathy.
Career turning point
How a Singapore-based opportunity to join Ambition’s management team yielded both a steep learning curve and sense of personal and professional humility.
Next stage
What was (and wasn’t) ideal about Matt’s transition back to London and an Associate Director’s role that demanded measurable results and redefinition.
Realising a vision
About Matt’s management progression and becoming a Director by the time he reached 30 years old, a long-held personal goal.
Pandemic whiplash
Why recruiters were especially hard hit by Covid and the worldwide sea change that occurred in both hiring requirements and workplace culture.
Management orientation
What Matt does to “get out of the way” and support working parents, part-time workers and others in bringing their best, most authentic and effective selves to work.
The role of diversity
About Ambition’s commitment to DE&I and the way it underpins healthy global communication and management’s ability to support teams across the enterprise.
Leadership trajectory
How Matt regards his expanding role as a Managing Director, including recalibrations around client/candidate interactions and a back-to-basics focus on face-to-face relationship-building, training and development.
Forward facing
What Matt believes will be most critical for Ambition in navigating a dynamic global workplace and the evolving needs of firms managing on an international basis.
Big picture
How shifting from a management to leadership mindset means orienting to the future, demonstrating an all-encompassing ethic, aligning interests and retaining talent.
Why Ambition?
About the ongoing career opportunity and entrepreneurial ethic that have kept Matt engaged – along with his colleagues’ high-level integrity, talent and professionalism.
Biggest challenges facing professional services firms
Consolidation and M&A activity; keeping up with and harnessing technology and AI; shifting leadership dynamics and geographies; and managing through ambiguity.
Looking ahead
What Matt hopes to see in terms of rebalancing and understanding the value-add business services provide apart from fee earning or client-facing roles.
Words of wisdom
Take control of your own destiny and outcomes; embrace responsibility for failures and successes alike; seek out and surround yourself with people who will teach, support and uplift you; and be coachable by staying open to feedback.
Key Quotes:
“The one thing I could control (as a young trainee) was how hard I worked, so I just made sure I worked twice as hard as everybody else. I started early and worked late … and just put myself out there. It got me noticed and earned me some respect.”
“I think you can really learn a lot faster if you throw yourself into and put yourself in difficult situations.”
“You’ve got to have strong relationships with clients to be successful but you also have to have really strong relationships with your own colleagues and the people around you because you need them as well.”
“If you’re going to benefit from a good network, you’ve got to pay it forward as well. It’s not all about you. You’ve got to show reciprocal interest in others and they’ll give back to you.”
“We’ve grown up with people through their careers – seen them get married, have children … To be part of that is incredibly rewarding and we’re in a privileged position to be able to make positive impacts.”
“We’re fortunate that Ambition is a very well-run business that could survive (pandemic) for a sustained period of time … and come out the other end in a stronger position.”
“I think Covid made (Ambition) more agile as a business. One of the positives that has come out of it is the ability for us to flex with people more, which is incredibly important.” (Nicky)
“Flexibility works both ways. It is really hard balancing family and work life. The two are more intertwined than ever and that’s a constant challenge.”
“I’m proud that we have a diverse and inclusive environment. It is something that is front and centre for the business … (It) gives managers the confidence to look for flexibility.”
“We’ve seen more (workplace) change in the last couple of years than we’ve ever seen and I think it’s really important that we’re part of that future conversation, supporting not just the immediate needs but where these firms are going next.”
“It’s the career opportunities and progression and the people (at Ambition) that make it an incredible place to work and flourish.”
“The best feedback generally is the worst feedback, the most confronting, the feedback that makes you feel most uncomfortable in the moment. But if you work through that and don’t put barriers up …you’ll grow.”
About Matthew
As Managing Director at Ambition, Matt has over a decade of experience in Legal and Professional Services business services recruitment spanning the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia and the US.
Matthew has worked with some of the most prestigious and exciting legal and professional services firms recruiting a range of roles in business services in the UK, Europe & the US. As well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the UK business. Matt recruits for Director / C-Suite level positions within Legal & PS Business Services teams.
About Nicky
With over 25 years of experience leading high-performing recruitment teams, Nicky is a dynamic leader in the recruitment industry. As Regional Managing Director for the US, UK, and Europe at Ambition, she oversees a team of specialist recruiters dedicated to connecting top talent with professional services firms.
Her teams focus on niche areas: the US division specialises in Legal Marketing & Business Development recruitment, while the UK & Europe team excels in placing professionals within Business Services functions within Legal, Practice and Consultancy.
Passionate about leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and talent retention, Nicky is a sought-after keynote speaker. She frequently presents at industry conferences, sharing insights on recruitment trends, hiring strategies, retention best practices, and DEI in the workplace.
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