Professional Role and Company Position
Vanessa Jackson serves as Director of HR at We Are Adam, a digital recruitment firm based in Manchester, UK. She specializes in the HR recruitment division of the company, focusing on senior HR and digital recruitment sectors. Vanessa has played a significant leadership role in driving company growth alongside other key figures such as Peter Baker, contributing to We Are Adam’s evolution from a startup launched in 2006 to a well-established recruitment business with a strong reputation in the HR space.
Company Overview and Context
We Are Adam is a digital recruitment agency founded in 2006 by Gahagan and Leon Milns. Under the expanded leadership including Vanessa Jackson, the firm has grown steadily and recently transitioned to an employee-owned model, reflecting a culture of collaboration and shared success. The company has a 19-year track record of supporting career development and company growth across various sectors, with a focus on HR recruitment as a core vertical.
Professional Background and Educational Credentials
Vanessa Jackson holds a life sciences degree and completed a placement year at Pfizer in medical research, which provided her with a strong analytical and scientific foundation before transitioning into recruitment. Her entry into recruitment was serendipitous, but she has since established herself as a specialist and senior headhunter within HR recruitment.
Experience and Responsibilities
- As HR Director, Vanessa oversees the HR recruitment division, aiming to solidify We Are Adam’s position as a leading HR recruitment brand in the North West of England.
- She manages senior-level recruitment projects and maintains strategic growth focus within the company’s HR talent acquisition service lines.
- Vanessa has been recognized internally and externally for her leadership and long tenure: she recently celebrated 17 years at We Are Adam, a milestone marking her deep institutional knowledge and commitment.
- She engages regularly with client companies and candidates, providing expert insight into recruitment best practices and talent acquisition challenges.
Market Positioning and Strategic Vision
Vanessa Jackson has publicly articulated the division’s vision to build on the prior decade’s successes and become the go-to recruitment brand for HR professionals and functions in the region. This orientation towards leadership in the HR recruitment space highlights her focus on market differentiation, quality talent acquisition, and client service excellence.
Industry Engagement and Thought Leadership
- Vanessa is an active LinkedIn presence, connecting with over 500 professionals, and shares insights related to recruitment, HR trends, and talent acquisition strategies.
- She has contributed to blog posts and thought pieces on recruitment topics, including CV optimization and talent acquisition strategies to adapt to industry changes.
- While there is no recent record of speaking engagements or webinars in 2023-2025, she remains active in professional conversations and internal company initiatives celebrating team success and cultural values.
Geographic and Network Information
- Vanessa is based in Manchester, England.
- She maintains a professional network of over 500 connections on LinkedIn, indicative of strong industry connectivity and influence within the HR recruitment field.
Key Insights for Engagement
- Vanessa’s extended tenure and leadership position at We Are Adam indicate a decision-making role with influence over recruitment partnerships and strategic vendor relationships.
- Her scientific academic background paired with recruitment expertise suggests a propensity for data-driven and analytical approaches to HR challenges.
- The company’s transition to employee ownership and focus on HR-specific talent solutions signal openness to innovative, partnership-focused collaboration models.
- Vanessa’s emphasis on growth and market leadership in HR recruitment makes her receptive to solutions that enhance candidate sourcing, employer branding, or recruitment process efficiencies in this domain.
Summary of Vanessa Jackson's Profile:
A Manchester-based HR recruitment leader, Vanessa Jackson is Director of HR at We Are Adam. With 17+ years at the firm and a life sciences degree underpinning her expertise, she drives the company’s HR recruitment division toward regional market leadership. Vanessa’s dual background in science and senior recruitment, combined with her strategic vision for We Are Adam, positions her as a key influencer for innovative HR talent acquisition solutions aligned with growth and digital transformation.
