Adam Nash an Account Manager on Astute’s Power contract desk, specialising in recruitment across the UK power sector and beyond.
For Astute’s Our People series, he spoke with us about his journey into recruitment, his best parts of working in the industry and recruitment, and his advice for aspiring recruiters.
How did you first get into recruitment, and what led you to join Astute?
I woke up one day and found myself in recruitment – and I haven’t been able to escape since!
What does your current role at Astute involve, and what types of roles do you typically recruit for?
I’m currently an Account Manager for one of Astute’s key clients.
My role is incredibly varied, covering client management, contractor aftercare, and fulfilment.
Because of the nature of the account, I recruit for a broad range of roles – from blue-collar and white-collar engineering to senior management and commercial positions.
What do you enjoy most about working in the power generation sector?
I really enjoy the fast pace of the sector.
Contract power generation recruitment suits my working style much better.
Project-wise, I also like that you get to see a tangible end result with power plants.
What’s been one of your proudest achievements since joining Astute?
Over the past seven years, building up one of our key clients from scratch to an account with more than 80 contractors has been a major highlight.
Developing strong relationships and delivering excellent service throughout that journey is something I’m really proud of.
What does a typical day look like for you as a contract recruiter?
There’s no such thing as a typical day!
I don’t work from a strict day plan because the pace of the desk means things change quickly – whether it’s an urgent role or a contractor issue.
You’ve worked on some large-scale contract recruitment projects – what’s been the most rewarding or challenging so far?
The most rewarding has been supporting the growth of a high-performing team for a key client delivering complex, long-term infrastructure projects.
It’s great knowing I played a part in their success – and I’ve made some brilliant friendships along the way.
The most challenging experience has also been one of the most rewarding – working with my current client.
The fast-paced nature of the sector has pushed me outside my comfort zone, but it’s accelerated my development and allowed me to achieve strong results in a short space of time.
How would you describe your approach to recruitment, and what helps you build strong relationships with clients and candidates?
People buy from people, so I just try to be myself.
I’m not overly formal – I believe authenticity is key in building trust.
Companies get countless sales calls, so your personality is what sets you apart.
It’s the same with candidates – contractors need someone they trust, who they can be honest with.
That relationship can often be the difference between someone staying or leaving mid-assignment.
What’s your favourite part of the recruitment process?
The biggest buzz comes from placing a candidate in a really tough-to-fill role.
I back myself – I know I can get the job done.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about joining Astute or starting a career in recruitment?
It takes time to build momentum.
Learn from everyone around you, take the best bits from different styles, and develop your own approach.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I’ve recently become a dog dad to two dachshund puppies – Cheese and Pickle – so they’re taking up most of my time right now.
I’m also a dedicated gym-goer (well, once a month).
When I’m not doing that, I’m watching football, gaming, or bingeing anime.
How do you switch off after a busy week in recruitment?
I don’t.
The emails never stop – I’m glued to my phone!
If you could give yourself one piece of advice on your first day at Astute, what would it be?
That’s a tough one since I’d already been in recruitment for years.
But I’d say – don’t overthink it, just get stuck in.
Too often people sit back and wait.
Just pick up the phone, make the call, and ask the questions.
What’s something your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m actually a really nice, caring person. 😉
Interested in working for Astute?
If Adam’s journey has inspired you to explore opportunities at Astute, visit our Work for Astute page to view our current vacancies.
You can also check out our Benefits page to learn more about what makes Astute a great place to work.
