Client Success Stories
Every partnership we build is grounded in trust, collaboration, and measurable results. Our clients come to us with complex hiring challenges - and we deliver tailored solutions that move their business forward.
Here are just a few examples of how we’ve made an impact:
.jpg)
Scaling Quickly to Meet Surging Talent Demands - BNY Mellon
Location: London, Manchester, Dublin
Engagement Type: Project RPO
Industry: Financial Services
Challenge
BNY faced an unprecedented increase in hiring demand across the UK and Ireland, with an internal talent team in transition and lacking deep market knowledge. The organisation was under pressure to fulfil roles rapidly without compromising candidate quality. Hiring spikes in multiple locations required a partner who could scale quickly and adapt to fluctuating needs.
Solution
Aquila Talent Solutions deployed a team of six specialist, reporting directly to BNY’s Head of Talent. We delivered a solution covering Technology, Data, Change, Operations, Finance, Audit, Legal, Marketing, Risk, and Compliance roles across multiple locations. To enhance engagement, we introduced a branded candidate experience and tracked market trends to advise on competitive salary bands. Our agile delivery model allowed for seamless coordination across three key cities.
Results
-
90% of 50 target hires delivered within the first 3 months
-
100% fulfilment completed within 4 months
-
Enabled internal TA team to focus on strategic activities
-
Scalable, cost-efficient RPO solution delivered during a critical period
.jpg)
Meeting Project Deadlines with Precision Hiring - Aviva Investors
Location: UK
Engagement Type: Project RPO
Industry: Financial Services / Asset Management
Challenge
Aviva Investors needed to quickly recruit talent to support the outsourcing of operations and middle-office services to BNY Mellon and fund accounting to HSBC. The hiring needed to align with tight timelines for regulatory go-live, leaving minimal margin for error. Internal teams required a partner to manage volume and complexity efficiently.
Solution
Aquila was engaged as the exclusive partner, leveraging our long-standing relationship with Aviva. We delivered high-volume CV generation and hands-on support across operations, finance, change, and technology. We worked in tandem with Aviva’s internal TA function, aligning sourcing output to hiring manager preferences and sharing market intelligence on evolving role expectations.
Results
-
50 roles successfully filled within project timelines
-
Supported a smooth outsourcing transition
-
Minimized operational disruption during critical handover
-
Strengthened long-term talent partnership across the business hiring community
.jpg)
Taking Control of Contractor Workforce at Scale - Insight Investment
Location: UK & US
Engagement Type: Contractor Management (MSP)
Industry: Asset Management / Technology
Challenge
Insight Investment needed a new partner to manage their contractor workforce across the UK and the US, with a strong emphasis on the technology and IT functions. The transition had to be seamless to avoid disruption to ongoing projects, and Insight also sought more visibility and governance over contractor performance and cost control.
Solution
Aquila was appointed and implemented a hybrid delivery model, combining on-site presence with centralized support from our delivery hub. We provided clear reporting on contractor engagement, introduced rate benchmarking, and worked directly with department heads to forecast pipeline needs.
Results
-
107 contractors transitioned successfully
-
60% of contractor base in the technology function
-
All new roles sourced exclusively through Aquila
-
Improved contractor governance and engagement reporting
.jpg)
Building a Future-Ready Tech Hub from Scratch - BNY Pershing
Location: Manchester
Engagement Type: Technology Build-Out Project
Industry: Financial Services / Technology
Challenge
BNY Pershing needed to build a new technology hub to support a broader legacy code rewrite and platform modernization initiative. Speed and expertise were critical, as the Manchester location was newly established for technology hiring and needed a competitive positioning in the market.
Solution
Aquila partnered with BNY to design and deliver the full hiring strategy for the site. Our team identified local talent trends and deployed a targeted sourcing campaign. We also worked with internal stakeholders to define interview frameworks and streamline decision-making for senior roles.
Results
-
100 specialist hires including developers, QA analysts, and architects
-
Time-to-hire achieved within target milestones
-
Created positive brand presence for BNY Mellon in a new hiring market
-
100% of roles filled via direct sourcing, avoiding agency costs
-
Enhanced candidate experience with structured, role-specific interview processes
.jpg)
Embedding a Seamless Talent Partnership Across EMEA - Vanguard
Location: EMEA
Engagement Type: Project RPO
Industry: Investment Management
Challenge
Vanguard sought a trusted talent partner to provide consistent, high-quality hiring support across EMEA while aligning recruitment with strategic workforce goals. The internal team was stretched and needed a partner who could act as an extension of their brand and deliver both operational and consultative value.
Solution
Aquila embedded a fully branded recruitment team supported by a dedicated account manager. We provided DE&I market insights, hosted QBRs, and built out pipelines for critical and hard-to-fill roles. We also worked closely with business units to develop a future-focused hiring strategy across functions.
Results
-
CV to interview ratio: 2.1:1, Interview to placement: 3.65:1
-
Time-to-fill: 47 days (perm), 19 days (contract)
-
Became Vanguard’s long-term embedded talent partner across EMEA
-
Introduced standardised hiring metrics across all business functions
-
Strengthened DE&I hiring through targeted sourcing and content strategy
Delivering a Diversity-Driven Graduate Hiring Programme - Global Investment Bank
Location: UK
Engagement Type: Project RPO
Industry: Investment Management
Challenge
The client’s HR team lacked the resources to execute their early careers programme during a difficult hiring window. They also faced ambitious DE&I hiring targets, which demanded a fresh and inclusive approach. The internal TA team needed a full-service partner to manage the process end-to-end while ensuring strong diversity outcomes.
Solution
Aquila created an anonymised, skills-based selection model using a bespoke assessment platform. Our delivery team managed all touchpoints—from attraction and selection through to scheduling and offer management. We also hosted workshops with client stakeholders to increase buy-in around inclusive hiring practices.
Results
-
60+ high-potential graduate candidates assessed and delivered
-
2/3 of shortlist from ethnic minority backgrounds, 30% female representation
-
Process completed in 2 weeks and renewed for a second year
-
Over 100 hours of internal HR time saved
-
Created a repeatable early careers hiring model aligned with DE&I strategy
Launching a New Manufacturing Site During a Pandemic
Location: Ireland (Remote)
Engagement Type: Full RPO - Site Build-Out
Industry: Manufacturing - Food & Beverage
Challenge
Our client required urgent recruitment support to launch a new 330,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Ireland. Originally designed as an onsite solution, the delivery had to be fully remote due to COVID-19, complicating coordination, candidate engagement, and compliance alignment.
Solution
Aquila deployed a remote RPO model, using its Centre of Excellence to source both niche and volume roles. We integrated with KDP’s ATS (iCIMS), built bespoke interview guides, and implemented a scalable hiring process. The scope of the project expanded over time to include executive and operational hiring, as well as staffing the company's new Global Centre of Excellence for Procurement in Ireland.
Results
-
100% direct hire rate with 0% agency usage
-
€305,000 in agency cost avoidance
-
0% attrition across all hires to date
-
Average time-to-hire of 30 days
-
Expanded scope to include 30+ additional roles in HR, Quality, and Engineering
