Clinical and Non-Clinical Recruitment Partnership: BMI Healthcare / Circle Health Group

Clinical & Non-Clinical Recruitment | Healthcare | BMI Healthcare (Circle Health Group)

Compass Associates’ Healthcare Division has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with BMI Healthcare, which subsequently became Circle Health Group following its acquisition by Circle. The relationship began well before any formal agreement was in place, with the clinical team making a number of placements across the business throughout early 2020.

Following six months of successful delivery, Compass Associates were invited in October 2020 to tender for BMI Healthcare’s national clinical and non-clinical recruitment requirements. The tender was won, and a 12-month partnership agreement was put in place – with both parties happy to move to a rolling PSL arrangement thereafter.

The context was significant. BMI Healthcare was in the process of being acquired by Circle, with the combined business ultimately rebranding as Circle Health Group and going on to achieve a successful exit to private equity. Reducing open FTE nationally and building a stable, well-staffed workforce was a key consideration throughout that process, and Compass Associates’ delivery played a direct part in it.

The Requirements 

Circle Health Group were looking for a recruitment partner who could deliver permanent clinical, non-clinical, management and senior management placements consistently across their national hospital portfolio, while also supporting improvements to the hiring process itself. Specific requirements included reducing time-to-hire, improving interview attendance at a clinical level, increasing offer-to-acceptance rates, and supporting site-level recruitment while an internal talent acquisition function was being established.

Prior to any placements being made, Compass Associates conducted a nationwide salary survey across all vacancy types, ensuring roles were positioned competitively in what was already a candidate-short market. Bespoke candidate packs were produced for management and senior management roles, setting out the opportunity, the culture, and the specifics of each site.

Agreed KPIs

• 93% interview attendance
• CV-to-interview ratio of 3:1
• Interview-to-offer ratio of 2:1
• Offer-to-acceptance rate improved from 3:1 to 1:1
• Time-to-hire reduced from 12 weeks
• Minimum of 8 new starters per month over the 12-month period

Our Approach & Delivery

Over the course of the partnership, Compass Associates submitted 966 CVs against a monthly target of 40. Interview attendance came in at 94.6%, exceeding the 93% target. Time-to-hire from CV to start averaged 92 days against a 120-day benchmark; offer to start averaged 56 days against a target of 90.

367 offers were made in total against a target of 270, with 204 candidates starting in post against a target of 180. Management assignment completion reached 68% against a 50% target, with senior management assignments completed at 89% — against a benchmark of 60%.

Placements were made across 48 locations, from Aberdeen and Glasgow in the north to Bath, Worthing and Poole in the south, covering the full breadth of Circle Health Group’s national hospital portfolio.

The placement breakdown across the period was as follows: 2 Hospital Directors, 9 Directors of Clinical Services, 23 Managers and Department Heads, 3 Consultants, 146 Nurses, Practitioners, Radiographers, Physiotherapists and equivalent clinical roles, 13 Lead Nurses, and 8 Surgical First Assistants.

The Outcome

966 CVs submitted | 94.6% interview attendance | 367 offers made | 204 new starters | 92 days average time-to-hire | 48 UK locations covered | 89% senior management assignment completion rate

The formal partnership concluded in October 2021, but the relationship with Circle Health Group has continued. Compass Associates’ Corporate Services division has since supported the business with commercial finance placements, reflecting the broader capability of the team across clinical, non-clinical and corporate disciplines.

Feedback from candidates placed during the partnership spoke consistently to the quality of support provided throughout the process – from initial contact through to starting in post. A number of candidates highlighted the responsiveness of their consultant, the quality of preparation ahead of interviews, and the continuity of communication after offers were made.

Are you looking for hiring support within the Independent Health, Care and Specialist Education Sectors?

Choosing a partnership with us means moving beyond the limitations of a contingent model. We offer exclusive benefits and deeper strategic support, from market insights to salary benchmarking and process optimisation. As your talent partner, Compass Associates ensures a smarter, more efficient, and results-driven approach to hiring.