Blog
James Tilley: Why I’m Running the London Marathon for CTRT
With the 2026 London Marathon fast approaching on Sunday 26 April, Jonathan Lee Recruitment’s James Tilley is entering the final stretch of his training — both physically and emotionally. What started as a personal challenge has become something far more meaningful. A Journey Built on Consistency and Purpose Training over the past few months has…
Read MorePower Systems Engineering: Roles, Skills and Career Paths
Power systems engineering is a specialised area of electrical engineering focused on the design, analysis and optimisation of electricity networks. From powering homes and businesses to supporting critical infrastructure, power systems engineers play a vital role in keeping modern society running. As electricity demand increases and energy systems evolve, the need for skilled engineers in…
Read MoreIR35, Authority and Interim Procurement: Why Strong Interims Walk Away
In the UK interim procurement market, there’s a recurring challenge that rarely gets discussed openly. Organisations struggle to secure the strongest interim procurement professionals — particularly for complex or high-impact assignments. At the same time, experienced interims are increasingly selective about the roles they accept. This isn’t a supply issue. It’s a structural one. The…
Read MoreHow Electricity Networks Are Upgraded: Inside Jersey’s Big Infrastructure Programme
Electricity networks are the backbone of modern society. From powering homes and hospitals to supporting digital infrastructure and transport systems, reliable electricity distribution is essential. However, electricity networks are not static. As populations grow, technology evolves and renewable energy becomes more prominent, utilities must continually invest in upgrading and modernising their infrastructure. Across Europe and…
Read MoreUK defence spending is rising but composite manufacturing capacity is not
The defence budget uplift is no longer theoretical. It is flowing into programmes, framework agreements and long term platform commitments. The UK Government has committed to increasing defence spending towards 2.5 percent of GDP, with further pressure from NATO partners to go beyond that. For advanced manufacturing businesses, that translates into real production demand across…
Read MoreThe True Cost of a Wrong Executive Hire
Hiring at an executive level is one of the most high-stakes decisions an organisation can make. The impact of a strong Chairman, CEO, COO, MD or CCO can be transformational adding real value and setting the strategic direction for the future. But what about when it goes wrong? The true cost of a failed senior…
Read MoreDay Rates vs Outcomes: The Real ROI of Interim Procurement in the UK
In UK interim procurement and supply chain hiring, one conversation almost always surfaces early: “What’s the day rate?” It’s understandable. Interim appointments are visible, time-bound costs. Finance teams want clarity. Hiring managers want budget control. But when day rate becomes the primary decision driver, the conversation often moves away from what actually matters — outcomes.…
Read MoreWhy rushing interim procurement hires is risky
Urgency is often the reason organisations turn to interim procurement support. A senior procurement leader leaves unexpectedly. A supplier issue escalates. A cost-reduction programme slips. A system implementation starts to wobble. In these moments, bringing in an experienced interim procurement or supply chain professional can feel like the safest option. Yet, paradoxically, the most rushed…
Read MoreHow Manufacturing Strategy Shaped China’s EV Battery Dominance
Over the past decade, the global electric vehicle industry has invested heavily in battery innovation. From solid-state concepts to silicon-rich anodes and high-nickel cathodes, much of the conversation in Europe and North America has centred on what comes next. China, however, took a different path. Rather than prioritising future breakthroughs, Chinese manufacturers focused on industrialising existing…
Read MoreWorking in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): Roles, Skills and Career Paths
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is no longer a future concept – it is a critical part of how modern utilities operate, engage with customers, and manage networks safely and efficiently. Across the UK, Channel Islands and beyond, utilities are investing heavily in smart metering and AMI 2.0 programmes. These are complex, multi‑year transformations that sit…
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