Fractional Recruitment

For more than a quarter of a century, TMM Recruitment has been a fixture of the North-east business landscape.

Founded in 1997, the Aberdeen-based consultancy has built its reputation on connecting companies with talent – from graduate trainees to boardroom leaders – across finance, HR, legal, IT, office support, QHSE, supply chain, technical and engineering.

Now, two bold moves are reinforcing its position as one of the region’s most progressive firms: the launch of a new Leadership on Demand service by its executive search specialism, TMM Executive, and its landmark transition to employee ownership.

Both speak to the same core principle that has underpinned TMM’s story from the start – people are at the heart of business success.

Leadership on Demand – flexible expertise for changing times

In a climate where businesses face constant change – from economic pressures to shifting workforce expectations – access to the right leadership has never been more vital. But not every organisation can afford, or attract, a permanent senior executive when a challenge arises.

That’s where TMM Executive’s Leadership on Demand comes in. TMM Executive specialises in high-value leadership resourcing and this new service connects companies of all sizes with a pool of seasoned executives – including former CEOs, finance directors, HR specialists and sector experts – who are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

“We became aware of two converging trends,” explains Amanda McCulloch, Chief Executive of TMM Recruitment.

“On one hand, organisations were telling us they wanted affordable access to senior-level expertise, even if only for a specific project or period of transition. On the other, we were hearing from many highly experienced leaders who wanted to move into a more flexible way of working. Leadership on Demand is about bringing those two groups together.”

Known as “fractional executives” in recruitment circles, this model has been gaining traction globally. What sets TMM’s service apart is its highly tailored approach: rather than simply assigning an available executive, the firm applies the same consultative process it has perfected over 25 years in recruitment – identifying, presenting, and recommending candidates who align with a client’s exact needs.

In a climate where businesses face constant change - from economic pressures to shifting workforce expectations - access to the right leadership has never been more vital. But not every organisation can afford, or attract, a permanent senior executive when a challenge arises.

The result could be an interim FD delivering a growth strategy, an HR leader guiding organisational change, or an experienced CEO parachuted in to troubleshoot during a critical moment. Bespoke arrangements – part-time, fixed-term or project-based – allow flexibility on both sides.

For the executives themselves, many of whom have spent decades at the top of their professions, it’s a way of continuing to contribute without the demands of a full-time role.

“After a long career in operations and management, I had been thinking for some time about finding a more flexible way of working,” says Donald Taylor, former Managing Director at TAQA, who has joined the TMM network.

“When I heard about the service, it felt like the perfect opportunity to use my experience to help local businesses while shaping a different work-life balance for myself.”

Corinne Kelt, a respected HR leader, highlights why TMM’s flexible model resonates: “In energy, there’s constant tension between skills resourcing and headcount constraints. Fractional executives offer timely, tailored leadership without long-term overhead.

“For me, joining TMM’s executive network is a win-win. It allows me to stay engaged in meaningful leadership, advising and coaching teams on a fractional or project basis. By applying my experience and independent perspective, I help shape people strategies that drive future business success.”

For North-east firms navigating growth, uncertainty or succession challenges, it’s a game-changing resource.

A people business – from the inside out

While TMM is helping local companies rethink leadership, it has also been reimagining its own future. This year, the firm became employee-owned, transferring its shares into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

It’s a step that ensures the independence and continuity of a company long respected for its values-driven approach – while giving every member of staff a direct stake in its success.

“We’ve always been a people business, built by the incredible talent and dedication of our team,” says Amanda McCulloch, who has led the firm since 2009.

“This Employee Ownership Trust is our way of recognising and rewarding the people who have been instrumental in making TMM Recruitment what it is today. It’s not just a business transaction; it’s a commitment to our team’s future and a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines us.”

Employee ownership is a model first introduced by the UK Government in 2014, designed to safeguard company culture, retain local ownership and enhance employee engagement. In practice, studies show that EOTs often lead to improved performance, higher staff retention, and stronger long-term planning.

For TMM, the shift also offers a competitive edge in the war for talent. In a region where attracting and retaining skilled people is a constant challenge, being able to offer staff a genuine voice and stake in the business sets it apart.

It's a commitment to our team's future and a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines us.

Amanda herself embodies the journey from trainee to leader. Having joined TMM as a graduate consultant in 1999, she rose rapidly through the ranks before taking on the role of Chief Executive.

That trajectory, and the firm’s decision to anchor its future in the hands of its people, reflects the same belief underpinning Leadership on Demand: when you invest in people, businesses thrive.

Anchored in Aberdeen, looking to the future

TMM’s dual announcements come at a time when leadership and culture are under intense scrutiny.

The pandemic accelerated conversations about flexible working, portfolio careers, and values-driven organisations. Employees are seeking purpose and autonomy; businesses are searching for resilience and agility.

By moving to employee ownership while simultaneously opening the doors of the boardroom to companies across the region, TMM has positioned itself at the intersection of these shifts.

For its clients, Leadership on Demand offers a pipeline of wisdom and expertise that can help navigate change. For its own people, the EOT ensures that the company remains true to its North-east roots while empowering its team to shape what comes next.

Both moves send the same message: in business, people and culture are not soft issues – they are the foundation of success.

As Amanda puts it: “These developments are about the same thing: creating structures that put people first. Whether that’s giving our team ownership of the company’s future or helping local businesses access exceptional leadership talent, it all comes from the same belief that when you invest in people, everything else falls into place.”

This feature was originally published in the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Business Bulletin November 2025.