VMA GROUP supports clients across the business spectrum to source the best and brightest communications, marketing, digital and change talent. Someone who has partnered with us both as a candidate and as a client is John Dickinson-Lilley.

John has had an exciting and varied career, from writing part of The Equality Act and being involved in the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign to parliamentary campaigning and even skiing for Great Britian’s Alpine Ski Team. However, throughout his career there’s one thing that has remained a constant for him – VMA GROUP’s support for his recruitment needs.

John first came across VMA GROUP back in 2017 when he was searching for a public affairs role. Following John’s recent retirement from his paralympic skiing career, it was a sensitive time, with the added complexity of an ever-changing employment market. VMA GROUP’s care, consideration, and expertise provided John with an incredibly positive experience. Previously, John’s experiences with a range of recruitment consultancies have been incredibly varied, whereas John felt that VMA GROUP’s priorities were finely balanced to achieve care and great outcomes for both candidates and the client. After reviewing his CV and providing useful and valuable feedback, we encouraged John to apply for a Head of External Affairs role where he was ultimately appointed.

As a disabled candidate, John also found VMA GROUP to stand out by proactively engaging in an open and supportive conversation about his disability and reasonable adjustments. Not only did our consultant make sure to ask about these requirements but collaborated with John to develop a one-page document that set out his needs and provides both John and prospective employers with appropriate insights and confidence. John still uses this approach in application and employment, to ensure an inclusive process and ensure employers can focus on his ability to deliver, something clearly demonstrated through his exceptional career.

John worked with VMA GROUP again in 2021 when he came across an interesting opportunity at the British Museum. This time, for a Director of Communications role, the first appointed at the museum, making the recruitme