“The biggest blocker in any organisation is the leader themselves.”

Dan Fenwick and Kimberley Leech started Venture Ten on a specific bet: that recruitment was broken at every interface — companies hated the time-suck, agencies couldn't run a profitable pipeline, and candidates felt like inventory. Using Dan's background in cultural change management, they built a project-managed Talent Partner model designed to keep clients for the long term rather than place a single CV.

It worked. Demand picked up. They partnered with a Canadian methodology firm, expanded into facility management at a client’s request, hired an EA, and even launched a garden maintenance arm to support the model. But growth at that pace exposed the gap most founders hit: they needed mentors with strategic HR experience to challenge them on the next moves.

Through Unlocked Expertise the pair were matched with John McConnell — over 20 years getting people-culture right, with recent property experience — and Stephen Paul, whose consultancy background let him focus directly on Dan's leadership development.

“Peter’s process was very focused, with a clear brief, quick turnaround and presented candidates that were a perfect marriage of skills,” Dan said. “It is a breath of fresh air to meet like-minded people. Just by having confidantes and people to mentally spar with you will become more innovative, more diverse and more practical — all of which can only be positive.”

The mentors meet quarterly with the team. The clearest payoff so far: Dan thinking less like a recruiter and more like a leader.