What people are saying…

Here is what some of our recent happy candidates had to say about us.

 

“I had the pleasure of working with Alan Walter during the recruitment process for a senior University leadership position. I received a platinum service throughout which was person centred, highly professional, diligent and supportive. Although I guess that much the same could be said for many senior recruitment professionals, Alan stands out. I felt that he was there at every stage of the process, offering constructive feedback and advice in a direct but supportive way; nothing was too much trouble. I had never met Alan before this recent process, but I would happily nominate him for an award for best Recruitment Consultant!”

Dean of School

 

“As a recent candidate for a senior position in a UK HEI, I have no hesitation in recommending Mike Dixon from Dixon Walter. Having been approached for previous positions by other agencies before, they in no way compared to the very sensitive, professional, personal and supportive nature by which Mike dealt with me at every stage of the process. At both the formal and informal stages Mike’s communication was timely, clear and wholly focussed on ensuring the best possible outcome for myself and the institution. At no point did I feel that I was just another candidate and I am sure that due to Mike’s diligence and effective communication both the institution & I were immediately aligned in terms of expectations and aspirations. If you are seeking to recruit exceptional individuals into your organisation or you are an individual seeking exceptional opportunities in the Higher Education sector I can only suggest you start a conversation with Dixon Walter to see for yourself how they can contribute to your own success.”

Director, Centre of Education

 

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for all the support offered to me throughout the process by Kiersten Avery and Dixon Walter. Having had a recent experience of working with other HE consultants, I have been struck from the very start by the attention to the detail of how my experience matches the role, the insight into the industry, based on Kiersten’s experience of HE, which was enormously helpful to provide the contexts to the earlier discussions, and made me interested in the role, visioning how the role fits within my career path. I felt I was talking to an equal who understood my context and my thinking. Kiersten has shown an enormous amount of care and support to make me feel connected with the process, supported at every stage and someone to talk to who understands how I feel. The wider staff at Dixon Walter have been attentive to every detail, making the process easy and smooth, without having to chase anyone for information. Looking back at the experience of the process, I have found that I’ve learned a lot from Kiersten, her expertise has made me focused on my abilities and project them more clearly, it has been a journey of self-discovery like no other I have experienced with other HE consultants. I wish to thank Kiersten for her quiet support on the way, being there when needed, her most professional attitude but at the same time friendly and approachable manner, which puts you at ease. Thank you very much Kiersten.”

Dean, Business School

 

Take a look at our testimonial page to read more.

Posted by Alan Walter

Alan Walter

Higher Education

Posted

As the higher education landscape evolves, so do the challenges and opportunities in talent acquisition.

In this edition of our newsletter we examine the rise of interim appointments in response to the current recruitment challenges, the future of international student recruitment and the latest articles to hit the press as well as a very special milestone…🎂🎂🎂

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful 2025 !! 🧡🧡

Higher Education

Posted

This month marks a significant milestone for Dixon Walter, the executive recruitment firm renowned for its specialisation in higher education. Over the past decade, the firm—led by Mike Dixon and Alan Walter—has become a trusted partner to universities, facilitating transformative leadership appointments that have shaped the future of academia and contributed to wider societal progress.

Higher Education

Posted

As executive recruiters specialising in higher education, we’ve witnessed a fascinating shift in recent months: the growing reliance on interim placements to fill critical leadership roles. This trend has been particularly pronounced over the last six months, as declining international student numbers have put significant financial pressure on institutions and the cost of living also having a detrimental impact on domestic student numbers. These economic challenges, coupled with an ever-changing landscape, underscore the adaptability of the sector and the critical need for skilled leadership during these turbulent times.