We Are Bamboo.
A founder-run specialist recruitment consultancy, covering fundraising, marketing, data, tech, operations, human resources and senior leadership roles across the charity, education and nonprofit sectors. Our end goal is always the same – to find the best person for the job. We’re not about mass mailing and seeing what sticks.
Our specialist knowledge and diverse database mean we can hand-pick fascinating people and connect them to purposeful and interesting work.
Graham Drew
Founding Director
The Team
I’ll confidently say that I’m the most successful, visually impaired, fundraising-focused Recruitment Consultant in London. Perhaps the nomination list is quite short for that accolade, but it’s good to be at the top.
I’ve worked in recruitment since 2008, and Bamboo is my passion — because in the wider world of recruitment, I could see that things needed to change.
That meant harnessing some innovative technologies, combining them with deep sector knowledge, and focusing diligently on a small number of roles. No more high volume and mass marketing — just the approach that I enjoy best, and finds the fascination in every job.
When I’m not writing long, rambling posts about ‘The State of Recruitment in this Country,’ I like to eat at fancy restaurants, try to recreate the dishes in my own kitchen (not always successfully), and wander around my small London garden as if I were appraising a vast country estate.
Tim Barnes
Founding Director
Unusually for this sector, I have a degree in Oceanography. But like many recruitment consultants, I came to the job almost by accident. After NASA declined my graduate offer of oceanographic expertise, I entered the world of recruitment instead.
And what a world that was. In high-volume, high-profit driven agencies, I experienced ways of working that only confirmed the public perception of recruitment: oppressive targets and call quotas, mass mailshots, and high volume drop-and-run placements. I knew there had to be a better way.
Moving to the non-profit sector meant placing driven high achievers into ethical projects that really made a difference. I suddenly found an industry of compassionate, energised people, and realised that the answer was in pursuing quality, not quantity.
Honing this approach over the years, I joined forces with my Bamboo compatriots to bring it to market. Meticulous and considered, we learnt our ethics from our industry — and we’re looking for those people who share our outlook.
Conán Finnegan
Senior Recruitment Consultant
When I started an accounting degree after school in Ireland, I never thought I’d be living in London working in recruitment years later. I’m very lucky to have found my passion and to have worked with some incredible people over the last 3 years.
During that time, I started raising money for charity myself, & have now found an opportunity where I can couple both those passions together to make a real difference in peoples lives. I want to support, educate and meet the best fundraisers across the globe so that when the time is right, I can match them with charities with similar goals and values.
In my spare time, you’ll catch me playing a number of sports, in the boxing ring raising money for charity, going to gigs or enjoying the amazing food offerings from around the globe that we have here in London.
Lucy Honeyman
Head Hunter for Specialist Roles & Executive Coach
I’m extremely fortunate to have always loved my job. I used to be a professional helicopter Pilot but my path has led me to find joy in helping great organisations and people come together and love their jobs more. The recruitment process can, and should be, enjoyable - Bamboo work hard to make sure of that by putting your thoughts, feelings and requirements first.
I find myself at Bamboo HQ because I wanted to join a team who truly live their values and deliver a great service, to work for an organisation where inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword and recruitment is about people, not processes.
I've studied coaching, psychology and even hypnotherapy to gain techniques and tools to help people thrive and live their passion; it’s a joy to have found a home with people who share my values.
Working as a Coach and Recruitment Consultant means I can find the very best people and help them thrive in the organisations that make the world a better place. I specialise in finding technically skilled or qualified professionals for digital, data, finance, IT, business development and management positions and love the challenge of an unusual request!
In my free time I run a small charity in East Africa, facilitating community projects that allow people to sustainably thrive in their own way, independent of aid. This provides me with an innate understanding of the importance of having the right people in place to bring your vision to life, and the cost of getting it wrong. I will represent your charity as if it were my own.
I love the outdoors and being active, raising funds for charities by running ultra marathons or climbing mountains. I've worked for various causes in some of the most challenging environments in the world and that's given me my perspective on life; Live now. Live Fully. We’re All Human.
I love HR and building inclusive teams more than you can possibly imagine. Solving the problems that keep some leaders up at night gives me life. I ensure that Bamboo’s recruitment processes are as transparent, fair and equitable as they can possibly be, and that we’re taking inspiration from cutting-edge approaches around the world to enable us to reach the diversity of candidates our client’s need to be truly representative.
I’ve spent 14 years building robust HR and recruitment systems across the not-for-profit sector, with a focus on ensuring staff are supported to be all they can be. When you treat your staff fairly, without judgement, and like they matter beyond their economic utility, the dividends for your organisation are manifold.
Fiona Wylde
Head of Diversity & Inclusion
Katharine
Senior Recruitment Consultant
In 2022, I made the transition from fundraising to fundraising recruitment – and I haven’t looked back since! With over 14 years of experience working across health, international, and education charities, I’ve had the privilege of working on a variety of income streams, including events, community and corporate partnerships. My passion for fundraising continues to drive me every day.
What I love most about my work is building meaningful relationships and truly understanding the needs of fundraising teams. Helping organisations find their next exceptional team member. I take great pride in my deep knowledge of the sector and my ability to match the right person to a role where they can thrive.
I’m also passionate about making fundraising more inclusive and accessible. Flexible working is key to balancing my professional and personal life.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me enjoying time with my two daughters and husband. We love to be outside, use our National Trust card, and paddleboard in the warmer weather.
Ricky
Furry Friend
Several years in recruitment have shown me that while having charm for days is essential, it’s often best to let Graham do the talking. My skill set is mostly focused on getting Graham to meetings, stopping him walking in front of cars or falling off ledges.
Sure, there are cats to chase, and I can’t stop him walking into the odd lamppost from time to time, but I see myself as being on a professional journey towards excellence.
Enthusiastic, driven, and guaranteed to charm candidates and meeting hosts, I like to spend my spare time chewing up tissues, chasing my tail, and barking at my own reflection. #bestlife
Big Enough to Stretch.
We work with big brand charities, as well as high-growth, innovative start-ups offering unique and world-changing roles. We recruit internationally too. Thanks to technology and the rise of remote working, we’re not limited to filling local roles. We’ve placed people in Africa, Europe, Asia, the US, and the UK.
Small Enough to Care.
Above all, we do what we do because it makes lives better. For the candidates who find rewarding, transformative and interesting fundraising jobs. For the clients who change the world and enjoy stronger, happier teams that stick together.
