Client: Bailrigg+
Interviewee: Chris Hellings, Founding Partner
Sector: Financial Services
Company Size: 51-200
Migrated from: Leaver
Bailrigg has been providing a flexible consulting solution to global financial services organizations in the UK and the US for over 10 years. By leveraging a closed network of delivery-focused, experienced Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Bailrigg provides on-demand skill sets within the strict lead-times and cost structures their clients require. Their model uniquely straddles the line between business consulting and contingent resourcing.
Bailrigg operates a complex business model that sits between traditional consulting and recruitment. After a failed implementation with a previous provider in 2020, they needed a system that could handle this hybrid approach.
Partnering with Seven20, they co-developed a tailored workflow that has served as the firm’s cornerstone for over five years, evolving recently to incorporate AI and new service lines with minimal development effort.
As Bailrigg evolved from tactical internal tracking tools, they hit a wall. Their business model combining consulting methodology with contingent resourcing didn’t fit the standard mould of off-the-shelf recruitment software. This mismatch led to a failed implementation with another provider in 2020.
“The industry is plagued with ‘out of the box’ solutions that never quite do what you want them to… support is impersonal and the functionality isn’t particularly flexible.”
Bailrigg began working with Seven20 in its early days. The engagement was defined by collaboration. Over a period of 2-3 months, the teams worked together to iterate, refine, and test the platform.
“Working in partnership with the Seven20 team we were able to establish a data model and set of workflows that suited our business model… The end result has required minimal enhancements since – which is testament to the level of forward thinking.”
Five years on, Seven20 remains the “cornerstone tool” for Bailrigg. It drives everyday prioritization and reporting, streamlining working processes across the UK and US operations.
For Chris Hellings, the standout feature over the last half-decade has been the human element. In an industry often criticized for poor support, Seven20 has consistently delivered.
“The day-to-day support is particularly good, responding to issues rapidly and always making you feel like a valued customer (sadly, all too rare across most platform providers).”
“Definitely consider Seven20 before making a decision… For us, the working relationship we built with Seven20 from the get-go was outstanding and we continue to receive the same level of service several years on; long may it continue.”
Client: X4 Group
Interviewee: Isaac Newton, Salesforce Administrator
Sector: Technology, Healthcare & Financial
Company Size: 201-500
Migrated from: Microdec Profile
The X4 Group focuses on helping their clients succeed by connecting the right people and providing the data and insights to help them execute their strategic priorities. Specialists within the Life Sciences & Communications, Technology, and Construction industries, their consultants help to align people strategy with business objectives across an international landscape.
After 14 years on a legacy system, The X4 Group found their technology lagging behind their ambition. By moving to Seven20, they transitioned from a slow, opaque server-based environment to a high-speed, true cloud solution. The result was a dramatic increase in user adoption, real-time global data visibility, and the unification of Sales, Compliance, and Finance into a single workflow.
The X4 Group had been relying on Access (Profile RPM) for over a decade. While it had served them in the past, the product ceased to evolve at the pace required by a modern international agency.
“Unfortunately, the product was no longer evolving and growing in the same direction as our business… We needed to be on a true cloud solution that allowed us to see real-time data across our international group.”
Following a comprehensive roadshow of market-leading CRMs, Seven20 emerged as the standout choice. The platform’s ability to drive behaviour through visual data was a key differentiator.
The migration was more than a software swap; it was an operational overhaul. The process allowed X4 Group to “revisit and rewrite” business processes, ensuring consistency across the group.
“The implementation was a very methodical and cathartic process which made us revisit and rewrite our business processes allowing us to work in a consistent way and enable growth for the future.”
Seven20 has fundamentally changed how The X4 Group operates. The platform now serves as the central hub for the entire business ecosystem.
“We are now able to look at real-time data across the group and use insights and MI to make informed business decisions… Seven20 has had a huge impact on our overall business.”
“Make sure you have a CRM for your future, not your past!”
Client: Jarvis
Interviewee: Marc Wallace, Senior IT Director
Sector: Ecommerce, Saas & Cybersecurity services
Company Size: 201-500
Migrated from: Bullhorn
At Jarvis, the focus has always been on building long-term client relationships rather than chasing short-term transactional wins. In an industry where speed and revenue often come before quality, Jarvis has positioned itself as a refuge. A business built on customer service, value, and doing things the right way.
That philosophy demanded technology that could evolve with the business, not restrict it.
Over the years, Jarvis had used several recruitment systems that simply could not keep pace with how the business was evolving. Instead of enabling growth, the technology stack was dictating how teams had to work.
As Marc Wallace explains:
“We had used a number of systems over the years that couldn’t keep up with the pace of change within the business. Often, the systems were dictating our processes, which is fundamentally the wrong way around.”
The business was also operating across multiple disconnected platforms. Keeping data accurate required constant admin, manual effort, and workarounds. It became clear that the technology was holding Jarvis back rather than supporting its relationship-first approach.
Jarvis knew it was time for change.
Jarvis carried out a thorough review of the recruitment technology market. This included attending industry trade shows and sitting through numerous demos before selecting Seven20.
What stood out was the foundation Seven20 provided. Rather than forcing rigid, pre-built workflows, the platform gave Jarvis a strong Salesforce base that could be customised around its own internal processes.
“The Seven20 platform gave us a very strong foundation to customise with our own internal processes. Working closely with the Seven20 team, they were able to advise us where the changes made sense.”
This was not about software alone. It was about choosing a long-term technology partner who understood recruitment complexity and could guide smart decisions, not just deliver features.
The implementation process was described as seamless. Jarvis felt listened to throughout the project, both during implementation and after go-live.
Unlike previous experiences, this was not a handover-and-walk-away scenario. There was regular cadence, ongoing support, and access to the Seven20 Community. This allowed Jarvis to openly discuss challenges, learn from other customers, and continuously improve how the platform was being used.
“It’s not been like some implementations where you are just left to it. We have regular cadence and even community meetings where we can discuss challenges with other customers.”
The biggest shift for Jarvis was flexibility.
Every time the business changes, the software and automations change with it. Easily and without disruption. The entire company now contributes ideas for improvement, to the point where Jarvis introduced a Change Advisory Board to manage requests.
This collaborative approach drove full adoption across the organisation and created a clear internal mindset:
“If it’s not in Salesforce, it didn’t happen.”
Full adoption and accountability
The system became the single source of truth across the business. Engagement was high because teams helped shape the solution.
Continuous evolution without disruption
Jarvis can adapt workflows, automations, and integrations as the business evolves, without re-platforming or major system changes.
Real operational improvements through automation
The platform now supports:
Each month, the system continues to evolve alongside the business.
Seven20 has enabled Jarvis to treat its CRM as a living platform rather than a static system. New ideas are implemented regularly, processes are refined continuously, and improvements are driven by real operational needs.
Seven20 remains hands-on throughout this journey, providing guidance, support, and best-practice insight whenever required.
Customer service has been a standout part of the relationship. Jarvis has built strong working relationships with several members of the Seven20 team, particularly Mark Baker.
Support is proactive, accessible, and focused on outcomes rather than tickets. The introduction of the Seven20 Community provides invaluable networking for the Jarvis team to discuss challenges with like-minded peers and learn about upcoming improvements.
Marc Wallace’s advice to businesses struggling with their current CRM is simple:
“Change. Do it. The reluctance to change is going to hold you back, when in reality, Seven20 makes it very easy to move.”
This case study is ideal for recruitment businesses that:
Client: Tangent International
Interviewee: Kristian Martin, Chief Sales Officer
Sector: Tech & Communications
Company Size: 201-500
Migrated from: Bullhorn Recruitment Cloud
Tangent International, with a history spanning over 50 years, has consistently evolved its internal technology. Their journey began with a highly successful custom in-house CRM developed in the 2000s. However, as cloud-based operations became essential, the company recognised the limitations of this legacy system, prompting a shift to modern platforms.
This transition led them to a Salesforce-based solution (Talent Rover, later acquired by Bullhorn), initially chosen for its infrastructure and the vendor’s agility.
However, the acquisition and subsequent shift into the larger Bullhorn for Salesforce (BH4SF) environment presented a significant challenge:
“As a sub-$250 million revenue business, we felt deprioritised and underserved. Support and development efforts appeared to cater more to their much larger enterprise customers.”
Tangent recognised that their needs for agility, responsive support, and user-centric innovation were being eclipsed by the demands of larger firms. A new CRM was needed to drive proactive activity, not just passive record keeping.
Driven by the need to better enable consultant productivity and leverage the emerging AI landscape, Tangent International re-evaluated its options. Their commitment to the robust Salesforce environment remained strong, leading them to choose Seven20.
Seven20 promised—and delivered—the ideal balance: a robust Salesforce foundation combined with the agility and focused support necessary for a mid-sized, high-growth global firm.
The decision was driven by Seven20’s commitment to:
By prioritising agility and a user-first experience, Tangent International achieved a renewed focus on consultant productivity and strategic alignment.
The biggest lesson learned from past implementations was confirmed: User adoption hinges on simplicity and immediate value. By adopting Seven20, Tangent ensured the platform was intuitive and helpful from day one, avoiding the “irreversible loss of trust” caused by complex, alienating systems.
The new platform ensures that the technology aligns perfectly with Tangent’s business goals, requiring minimal effort from the sales team to use. This allows consultants to focus on high-value client and candidate relationships rather than administrative data entry.
Tangent views this transition as Evolution, not Revolution. Seven20 provides a flexible environment that can adapt iteratively to changing business priorities, market conditions, and technology shifts (like AI integration).
Tangent International offers powerful guidance derived from decades of strategic CRM experience:
Summary Takeaway: “Implementation is as important as the platform. Strategy, training, and adoption planning are key to long-term success.”
This case study is ideal for mid-sized recruitment and staffing businesses that:
Seek a CRM that aligns with business goals rather than forcing teams into rigid workflows
Client: TechTalent Resourcing
Interviewee: Myles Vines, Co-Founder
Sector:IT Services and IT Consulting
Company Size: 2-10
Migrated from: No CRM
TechTalent Resourcing (TTR) is a dynamic recruitment start-up founded by a former Tech Recruiter and a former Salesforce Account Executive. Leveraging this unique blend of industry expertise, TTR specialises in sourcing IT resources, as well as Sales and Pre-Sales professionals specifically within the Salesforce ecosystem.
As a start-up, TTR initially relied on spreadsheets before attempting to professionalize with a “point solution” CRM. The tool proved too rigid, leading to poor adoption and a return to manual processes. Recognising the power of Salesforce but wary of the configuration costs, TTR found the perfect middle ground in Seven20: an out-of-the-box Salesforce solution tailored for recruitment. This move unlocked 360-degree visibility, seamless app integration (like PipeLaunch), and a scalable foundation.
Like many start-ups, TTR began with spreadsheets and notepads. As they grew, the administrative burden began to eat into time better spent selling. Myles, coming from a Salesforce background, knew Salesforce was the gold standard but feared the cost and resource requirement to build it from scratch. They opted for a cheaper, recruitment-specific “point solution” as an interim fix. It was a mistake.
“Our adoption of the product was poor… we were still having to use the same spreadsheets and side documents from before as the platform was rigid… We also couldn’t get the full end to end view of our business.”
TTR was heading back to square one when they discovered Seven20. It offered exactly what Myles knew he wanted the power of Salesforce—but pre-configured for the recruitment industry.
Moving to Seven20 transformed TTR’s operations from disjointed spreadsheets to a unified digital ecosystem.
“Since using Seven20 we now have a real 360 view of our business… Plus Salesforce has 1,000s of natively integrated Apps that we can leverage on Seven20.”
As TTR scales, the platform scales with them. New reports and dashboards are spun up instantly to meet the needs of new users. Future plans include integrating native Telephony to automatically capture sales conversations. This agility is supported by a Customer Success team that acts like an internal department.
“Our CSM, James, is like an extension of our team, easily available over Slack and goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
Myles offers critical advice for businesses seduced by “shiny features” in rigid tools.
“Don’t over focus on functionality and capabilities… what’s far more important is investing in an open platform. Don’t buy something that may solve a problem today but next year your business may require another feature… Seven20 on Salesforce allows us to feel confident and relaxed that we’ve invested in a platform that allows us to grow.”
Client: The Growth Consultants
Interviewee: Kyle Weeks, Co-Founder and Director
Sector: Sales, Marketing and Technology
Company Size: 2-10
Migrated from: NO CRM
The Growth Consultants is a specialist recruitment consultancy covering the United Kingdom from their offices in Bristol. They specialise in placing top talent within the Sales, Marketing, and Renewables sectors, helping businesses scale effectively.
Co-Founder Kyle Weeks had experienced the frustration of “clunky” databases that hindered rather than helped recruiters. ongoing partnership with Seven20, which began in 2020, has transformed their operations. By moving to a platform that evolves almost monthly and offers complete customisation, The Growth Consultants have seen a tangible increase in revenue and productivity, while significantly reducing manual administrative tasks.
Before Seven20, the team struggled with legacy systems that were simply data repositories rather than productivity tools. The lack of smart features meant the team was working harder, not smarter.
“I had used multiple other CRM’s prior to Seven20, we had clunky databases with hardly any features that enabled our team to be productive and work smart.”
Kyle first partnered with Seven20 founders Josh and Max in 2020. The difference in approach was immediately apparent. Seven20 didn’t just sell a product; they diagnosed the business needs, identifying opportunities for improvement that the client wasn’t even aware of.
“Seven20 took time to understand what I was looking to achieve from a CRM but more importantly the things I was unaware of, which have absolutely changed the way we work.”
The impact of the switch was measurable across the business’s bottom line and daily operations.
A key differentiator for The Growth Consultants is the agility of the Seven20 platform. Unlike static legacy systems, the platform grows with the agency.
“It evolves almost monthly! That’s the part we love, if we want it – they make it happen… Nothing has ever not been implemented.”
The relationship is cemented by a high standard of customer care. Kyle highlights the personal dedication of the account management team.
“It’s always been brilliant, right now it’s the best it’s been. James (our account manager) is absolutely brilliant… He goes above and beyond regularly.”
“Stop wasting time on Google, doing demos and going to Bullhorn or Hubspot (they are nowhere near as good as Seven20). Just go with Seven20 and build whatever you need yourself. I have absolutely no regrets… I will be a customer as long as my business is running.”
Client: Hunter Phillips
Interviewee: Lizzy Campbell, Senior Operations Manager
Sector: Renewable Energy
Company Size: 11-50
Migrated from: Tracker
Hunter Philips is an Executive Search Company exclusively operating in the renewable energy sector. Since inception, they have established themselves as an industry leader, building successful relationships across Europe, the US, and APAC regions. With a commitment to being at the forefront of technology and innovation, Hunter Philips supports its consultants in providing a tailored, bespoke, and niche service to clients globally.
After achieving remarkable growth of over 50% in a single year, Hunter Philips recognised that their existing infrastructure could no longer support their trajectory. Following an extensive 12-month market review, they selected Seven20 to provide a bespoke, Salesforce-based CRM. The result is a fully integrated, scalable platform that continues to evolve alongside their global operations.
Success brings its own set of challenges. Throughout 2023, Hunter Philips scaled their business by more than 50%. This rapid expansion exposed the limitations of their existing systems. To sustain this momentum and support further progression, they needed a CRM that was not just a database, but a scalable engine capable of handling complex, global executive search operations.
“Having scaled our business by more than 50% throughout 2023, we found ourselves in the market for a more bespoke, scalable and tailored CRM.”
The Operations team spent over a year meticulously vetting available CRMs. Seven20 emerged as the clear front-runner, distinguished by its Salesforce architecture and the ability to integrate seamlessly with Hunter Philips’ wider technology stack. However, it was the human element that sealed the deal.
“Working with Josh and his team from our first discovery session, we knew we could partner with Seven20 exactly as we wished!”
For Hunter Philips, customer service was a decisive factor. The implementation process was characterized by high availability and genuine support, setting Seven20 apart from other vendors in the market.
“From our very first discovery call we have found the Seven20 team to be far superior to other CRM suppliers… The customer service from Seven20 was one of the main reasons we chose the platform.”
Eighteen months into the partnership, Hunter Philips has a platform that is robust, bespoke, and fully integrated. The system has moved beyond a static tool to become a living part of the business that adapts to new strategies.
“We now have a platform in place that is scalable, bespoke and fully integrated with our tech stack. Albeit only 18 months in, we can see the benefits as a business.”
“Explore Seven20 and its possibilities! Although moving CRM is a huge undertaking and not for the faint hearted, the whole of the Seven20 team are on hand to support you!”
Client: A1 Personnel
Interviewee: Wayne Cunningham-Weir, Director
Sector: Logistics, Manufacturing, Commercial, Engineering, Construction, and Executive markets
Company Size: 11-50
Migrated from: Access Recruitment Group
At A1 Personnel, they’ve been matching talent with opportunity across the UK and USA since 1988. Operating across Logistics, Manufacturing, Commercial, Engineering, Construction, and Executive markets, we deliver permanent, contract, and temporary recruitment solutions. Our goal is to build lasting client and candidate relationships by combining decades of industry experience with a modern, agile approach.
After navigating six different recruitment software migrations over 14 years, Director Wayne Cunningham-Weir knew A1 Personnel needed a final destination not just another stopgap. By partnering with Seven20, A1 Personnel broke the cycle of unsuitable systems, implementing a scalable, Salesforce-based solution that seamlessly handles the complexities of Temporary, Contract, and Permanent desks in a single platform.
Despite A1 Personnel’s long-standing success, their operational backbone was struggling. The existing CRM was rigid, causing fragmented data and inefficient processes. For Wayne Cunningham-Weir, the stakes were incredibly high; having managed six software migrations in 14 years, he understood the cost of failure.
“As someone who’s been through 6 recruitment software migrations over the last 14 years, I knew we couldn’t afford to make another misstep.”
A1 Personnel explored various options but found most lacking in their ability to handle multi-desk processes. The search ended with Seven20. The decision wasn’t just about the software capabilities on Salesforce, but the culture of the vendor.
“From the start of the sales process, Josh gave me the confidence that their dynamic, solution-focused approach matched the culture of A1 Personnel. Every limitation we’d hit with other systems, Seven20 saw as a challenge to overcome.”
The implementation delivered a CRM that finally aligned with how A1 Personnel operates. The system is now the foundation for their growth, fully integrated with their wider tech stack.
Unlike previous systems that remained static, Seven20 has evolved alongside A1 Personnel. The flexibility of the platform allows them to refine processes and integrate new software as strategies change. This is underpinned by “consistently outstanding” customer service that goes beyond technical fixes to offer true partnership.
“It’s never static, and that’s exactly what we needed. We see it as a long-term partnership that will evolve alongside our strategy.”
“If your CRM is causing more stress than success, it’s time for a change. Audit your setup, involve your team, and don’t be afraid to walk away from systems that can’t keep up. Look for a partner not just a provider who shares your vision and is willing to solve the problems others avoid.”
Client: Ernest Hunter Green
Interviewee: Sue Palmer, Director
Sector: Professional Services, Banking & Financial Services, Real Estate & The Built Environment, TMT, Retail, Leisure & Hospitality
Company Size: 2-10
Migrated from: Bullhorn
Ernest Hunter Green is a specialist Executive Search business. Since 2015, they have delivered senior mandates across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
As the business evolved, their strategy shifted heavily towards winning and delivering retained search projects. This is where their existing technology hit a wall. Retained search requires different workflows, deeper detail, and more specific reporting than standard contingency recruitment.
Sue Palmer, Director, realized their current tool was holding them back:
“It became clear that our existing CRM could not support the activities required for this type of work. It lacked the agility and versatility to grow with a smaller business more of a one-size-fits-all approach.”
They didn’t need a generic tool; they needed a system they could influence.
Ernest Hunter Green chose Seven20 because they wanted to be architects of their own process. They didn’t just want to “buy” a CRM; they wanted to build a workflow that looked and felt right for Executive Search.
The implementation process became a strategic audit of the business.
“It was a good opportunity to take a step back and think about exactly WHAT we wanted and needed from the CRM.”
By utilizing Seven20’s flexible architecture, they mapped the system specifically to their retained search methodology, ensuring that the software followed the consultant’s natural workflow, rather than forcing the consultant to follow the software.
The impact of the new system has been cultural as well as operational.
One of the biggest challenges in recruitment is getting consultants to use the CRM. By building bespoke dashboards that actually help the consultants (rather than just monitoring them), EHG changed team behavior.
“Using the dashboards has improved the system usage across the team rather than recording activity retrospectively.”
With accurate data coming in, the leadership team gained a clear view of the battlefield.
“We now have accurate, real-time insights that help us make better decisions and plan with greater confidence.”
For a boutique firm, support is critical. Sue highlights that the Seven20 team (specifically James Bright) operates more like a consultancy than a helpdesk.
“They deliver a personal service… often providing solutions to challenges we didn’t even realise we had.”
“Take the time to clearly define what you need from your CRM and don’t be afraid to look for a system that can grow with you. It’s worth investing in a platform that not only supports your consultants’ day-to-day but also provides leadership with clear, actionable insights.”
Client: Keystream
Interviewee: Khyati Pal, Director – Business Transformation & Change Management
Sector: Public Sector Recruitment & Consulting (Digital, Data & Technology – DDaT)
Company Size: 11-50
Migrated from: Vincere
At Keystream, the mission is clear: empower public sector organisations through people-powered, tech-enabled solutions. Their recruitment and consulting services across digital, data, and technology (DDaT) are designed to make public services more accessible, efficient, and tailored to the people they serve.
To achieve this, Keystream needed a CRM that could evolve with the business, not hold it back.
Keystream’s journey began with frustration. Their legacy CRM struggled to handle the intricacies of public sector recruitment, creating:
Khyati Pal explains:
“Our outdated CRM couldn’t manage the sector’s unique demands, leading to widespread frustration and inefficiency.”
The business knew a modern, adaptable CRM was essential to support complex workflows, improve adoption, and provide accurate, actionable data.
After evaluating multiple recruitment CRMs, Keystream discovered Seven20 through Salesforce. What stood out:
“Seven20 struck the perfect balance, enabling us to tailor our CRM without building one from the ground up,” says Khyati.
The onboarding and setup process was smooth and highly collaborative:
“The Seven20 team were remarkable from the get-go—professional, caring, and far from pushy,” Khyati adds.
The biggest impact of Seven20 was flexibility. Every time the business changes, the software and automations evolve without disruption.
Key outcomes included:
“With Seven20, adoption is sky-high, reports are accurate, and our team’s productivity has improved significantly,” says Khyati.
Seven20’s service has been consistently professional, proactive, and results-focused.
“Their consistent friendliness and professionalism are quite the rarity,” Khyati notes.
Khyati’s guidance for businesses struggling with their CRM is clear:
“A CRM isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. Audit your system, scrutinise your processes, and check how your staff are using it. If your CRM is causing headaches, switch it before you’re trapped in long contracts. A CRM should be your business’s beating heart—if it’s not, it’s time to start looking for a new one.”
This case study is ideal for organisations that: