Results that speak for themselves
The best evidence of what I do is what my clients say about it. Below is a selection of placements that demonstrate the depth of search, quality of match and level of service that businesses working with The Source Technical can expect.
Candidate and company details have been anonymised where requested — but the outcomes are real.
Placement stories
Case Study: Technical Sales Manager, Aerospace & Defence
RoleTechnical Sales Manager
LocationUK / South East England
Search typeRetained
Time to offer6 weeks
The challenge
The client had spent four months trying to fill a niche technical sales role requiring both deep composites knowledge and experience selling into defence primes. Previous attempts via job boards yielded mismatched candidates with either sales or technical backgrounds — never both.
The approach
I mapped the UK aerospace supply chain and directly approached senior applications engineers in adjacent sectors. Using targeted outreach and discreet conversations, I built a shortlist of five candidates with dual commercial and engineering strength.
The outcome
Placed a Senior Applications Engineer from a tier-one composites manufacturer. The client reported a 30% increase in technical qualification meetings within three months. Feedback: "Exactly the blend of technical credibility and commercial instinct we needed."
Case Study: Head of Materials, CleanTech & Energy
RoleHead of Materials
LocationUK / Flexible (remote first)
Search typeContingent
Time to offer8 weeks
The challenge
A fast-growing energy storage scale-up needed an experienced materials leader to bridge R&D and production. The role required expertise in polymer composites plus the ability to manage a cross-functional team — a rare combination in the clean energy space.
The approach
I leveraged long-standing relationships with technical directors in advanced manufacturing and approached candidates who were 'off-market'. A confidential network map identified three high-potential individuals, all of whom were not actively looking.
The outcome
Placed a Head of Engineering from a precision engineering firm with 12 years' materials experience. The client secured their Series B milestone on time. The hiring lead commented: "We would never have found her without this search."
Case Study: Operations Director, Advanced Composites
RoleOperations Director
LocationUK / North West
Search typeRetained
Time to offer7 weeks
The challenge
A mid-sized composites manufacturer was struggling to attract senior operational leadership with experience in high-volume automotive composites. Their location and niche process (HP-RTM) made the search particularly challenging for generalist recruiters.
The approach
I conducted a targeted market analysis of operations leaders in automotive lightweighting and advanced manufacturing. Direct, confidential outreach to eight potential candidates resulted in four high-quality submissions within two weeks.
The outcome
Placed a Production Manager from a tier-one automotive composites supplier. Within six months, the client saw a 20% improvement in production efficiency. Client feedback: "A seamless process from start to finish — truly consultative."
Case Study: Senior R&D Engineer, Technical Textiles
RoleSenior R&D Engineer
LocationYorkshire & Humber
Search typeContingent
Time to offer5 weeks
The challenge
The client needed a specialist in high-performance coated fabrics with both polymer chemistry knowledge and industrial weaving experience. The role had been open for three months with no suitable candidates.
The approach
I reached into my network of textile engineers and composites chemists, using direct introductions rather than advertising. I also consulted former colleagues in the sector to identify hidden talent not visible on professional platforms.
The outcome
Placed a Senior Process Engineer with 10 years of textiles R&D experience. The candidate successfully launched two new flame-retardant fabric lines in the first year. The client's CTO noted: "Catherine understood the brief better than anyone."
Case Study: Commercial Director, Precision Engineering
RoleCommercial Director
LocationMidlands, UK
Search typeRetained
Time to offer9 weeks
The challenge
The business was entering a new market segment and needed a commercial leader with a rare blend: deep technical fluency in engineered components plus an existing network across aerospace and defence buyers. Standard executive search had failed to deliver credible candidates.
The approach
I mapped senior commercial talent within adjacent materials sectors and held discreet introductory conversations with eight senior professionals. The search prioritized long-term relationship value over immediate availability.
The outcome
Placed a Commercial Manager with 15 years' experience in precision engineering sales. The client secured two new defence contracts within the first six months, directly attributing the wins to the candidate's network and expertise.
"Working with Catherine was genuinely a pleasure. She was attentive, honest and consistently clear in her communication, making the whole process straightforward and stress-free. Her personal, authentic approach really stands out."