The partnership required more than capital: it demanded a platform, and ultimately, individuals capable of sourcing, structuring, and delivering complex cross-border projects while advancing an ambitious ESG agenda.

At the same time, Bywater was entering the residential sector for the first time, building credibility with investors and positioning timber as the future of both housing and offices. With capital committed and a pipeline emerging, the firm needed to rapidly scale its investment and development capacity - hiring high-calibre talent with expertise in European real estate, sustainable construction, and joint-venture execution.

These hires were critical to strengthening Bywater’s ability to deliver on the joint venture, meet institutional expectations, and realise its timber-led growth strategy across Europe.

We partnered closely with Bywater’s leadership team to define precise role profiles, balancing technical expertise with the behavioural qualities needed to shape the firm’s future.
Across six targeted searches, we engaged over 1,000 candidates while simultaneously refining Bywater’s employer value proposition. This included developing a bespoke showcase page that positioned the business as a collegiate, high-accountability culture offering exposure to flagship projects and clear progression.

Through podcast features, Rockbourne’s social media reach, and a rigorous assessment process, we engaged and qualified candidates both culturally and technically.
This targeted approach streamlined the search, reduced downtime, and accelerated delivery, ensuring Bywater met only highly qualified and motivated candidates, allowing the leadership team to focus on scaling the new joint venture and driving growth.