Key Team Members
Philip Fanthom
-
Managing Director
-
The great Frank Sinatra sang; “I get my kicks from champagne!”. For me, I get my kicks from making a difference and helping people to progress their careers. I am so proud of what we are building at Talent Smart. To assemble and work with a high performing team who all share the same ethos is like a dream come true. Our simple set of values based on “just be kind” are lived and breathed internally within our team and externally when we work with our candidates, contractors and clients – that is without doubt, the greatest achievement of my career, so far.
Ryan West
-
Senior Recruitment Consultant
-
With over 10 years in recruitment, what keeps me motivated is simple — working closely with people and businesses to make great things happen.
I’m proud to be part of the Talent Smart team, especially as I’ve had the pleasure of working with Phil and Matt before at a previous consultancy, several years ago. We share the same values around honesty, transparency, and putting clients and candidates first. Our ethos is simple, be kind.
Over the years, I’ve recruited across a wide variety of sectors, covering mid-to-senior level appointments, with specialisms in tech, business change, transformation, and professional services. For me, successful hiring comes down to three things: detailed conversations, trust, and a clear process. When those are in place, everything else flows.
Some of my career highlights include making the first three hires for a Tech Startup of the Year (featured in The Times) and placing the very first COO for a leading wealth and asset management firm — but what I value even more, is the incredible people I’ve met and the lasting relationships I’ve built along the way.
Outside of work, I’m usually planning my next trip, renovating my new house in Surrey, or getting a workout in at the gym (I try to stick to 4–5 times a week!).
Matt Hancock
-
Head of Recruitment
-
I worked alongside Philip for 17 years at a previous Recruitment Company so when he decided to set up Talent Smart it was a no brainer to follow him in his new (ad)venture. My career has been fuelled by a passion for getting under the skin to understand what makes both people and businesses tick. I have built a career recruiting in the programme, transformation and business change space in addition to broader IT and operational leadership roles across a range of industries including Retail, Financial Services, Management Consulting, Pharmaceutical and the NFP Sector.
Talent Smart’s key sell is that we leave no stone unturned and deeply vet candidates, we meet every candidate face to face and get to know them on a personal level. I truly believe that a great hire can truly transform your organisation and that’s our passion. I worked in retail, sales and customer service for a long time before graduating and think it’s a great grounding for a flourishing recruitment career.
Recently a new client whom had never used us before got in touch as their sole supplier couldn’t source a Project Management vacancy that they had open for a number of months. They were receiving poor CV’s and candidates that weren’t the right fit. We had a candidate rolling off a contract for another client whom was looking for a permanent opportunity – she matched up really well in terms of location, culture and skills fit and we placed her in the role with a 2 weeks turnaround. She got in touch a few months in to say how much the role suited and how it had really transformed her life for the better – particularly in terms of work life balance and finding true purpose in a new role. Even after 20 years in the industry it’s the little things like this that really make your day.
Outside of work I love cooking, live music, live sports, the great outdoors, art collection, skiing, Dj’ing, photography and travel. (Mostly badly outside of being a good skier.)
When I retire from recruitment, I would love to run front of house for a restaurant in Cornwall or the Dordogne - although I’m not sure my level of French is quite up to the latter!
Abigail Knight
-
Senior Recruitment Consultant
-
I have really enjoyed witnessing the Talent Smart team grow over the last few years. It is amazing to work within such an experienced and supportive team. We also have the opportunity to work with diverse range of clients from a wide variety of industries. I get the most job satisfaction when working with candidates to help them progress their careers and ultimately improve their lives.
My best memory since joining Talent Smart, was in 2020 I interviewed a brilliant technical candidate who had recently moved to the UK from South America. He came across so well and his technical skills were brilliant. Knowing that one of our clients were always looking for bright technical network engineers. I briefed the client on the candidates skills, abilities and an overview of my interview with them. The client agreed to interview, resulting in my candidate being offered and they still hold the record within the organisation for the highest possible score on the technical test in the fastest time. The candidate still works for the organisation today and has achieved two promotions. Those are the moments when I love my job.
Sarah Wysockyj
-
Senior Administrator
-
I had been working within the Financial Services sector for over 25 years and decided it was time for a change. With a positive and can-do attitude, I knew my administration and Customer service experience would be a great asset to a senior administration role.
As the role was newly created due to Talent Smart gaining traction, I was able to implement new and more efficient ways of working and processing administration. My favourite part of the role is helping our contractors by creating clear communication and giving them access to all the important information, this includes IR35 assessments, statements of work and all other compliance documents.
Most importantly I ensure everyone get paid on time!
“Talent Smart recently represented me for a perm role in joining a major organisation. During the process the team kept me engaged every step of the way in the recruitment, negotiation and onboarding processes and removed much of the stress from this, enabling me to exit cleanly and properly from my previous role. That hasn't been the end of it however, as Talent Smart are an organisation who provide other professionals on a contract or managed service basis. Making finding skilled resources much easier. I would definitely recommend Talent Smart as company worth checking out.”
T. Gordon - Head of IT