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Government & Defence

Government & Defence

The UK’s leading specialist Government, Defence and National Security capability partner. Delivery-led. Talent-fuelled. Built for outcomes.

Our Expertise

It is rare that a talent challenge can be solved with one solution, and when you layer in the unique requirements of the UK government and defence sectors, then that challenge becomes even more complex.

By devoting our business to solving challenges across this sector, and combining it with an appetite for problem solving and innovating, we are able to offer multi channel talent solutions that can tackle the most complex talent challenges in the UK government and defence sectors.

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Our Services

We deliver end-to-end workforce and talent solutions that help organisations secure the expertise they need to achieve their strategic objectives. Our services include staffing and talent solutions, from Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Managed Service Programmes (MSP) through to contingent recruitment, interim leadership and advisory services, executive search, and outcome-based consulting. Whether supporting business transformation, critical projects, or long-term workforce planning, we provide the people, insight and expertise to drive measurable results.

Staffing Solutions

We specialise in delivering workforce and staffing solutions across the disciplines that power modern government and digital transformation. Our expertise spans Data & AI, Design, Cyber Security, Technology, and P3M, enabling us to connect organisations with exceptional permanent, contract, and interim talent. Combined with a deep understanding of security-cleared hiring and hard-to-reach candidate markets, we help our clients build the capability needed to deliver their most important priorities.
SGD Applied

SGD Applied exists to help organisations move from challenge to outcome. As the consulting and delivery division of Sanderson Government & Defence, we combine more than 25 years of experience supporting the UK's most complex government, defence and national security programmes with a unique ability to access, deploy and retain highly skilled cleared professionals.
Executive Search

We work with government departments, defence organisations and their supply chains to identify and secure executive leaders, interim specialists and trusted advisors who strengthen organisational capability and performance. Drawing on deep market knowledge and extensive networks, we help clients access individuals with the expertise, leadership and strategic perspective required to navigate complex challenges and deliver critical programmes successfully.
Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

We innovate our talent solutions to be sensitive to the unique demands of the government and defence sector. By partnering with you, we can develop and deliver outsourced recruitment solutions, from full RPO to individual bespoke projects, to ensure you compete for the best talent. As your embedded partner we focus on building your EVP, attracting the best talent, delivering critical mission messages throughout the process, and delivering where other solutions have failed.
Managed Service Programmes (MSP)

Permanent and contingent talent shouldn’t be managed separately. Sanderson G&D’s MSP solutions provide government and defence organisations with a single, technology-enabled framework to plan, source and manage talent end to end. Designed around security and compliance requirements, our flexible programmes can be vendor-neutral or master vendor and include a defence-ready security-clearance pipeline. The result: complete workforce visibility, measurable cost savings and access to the best permanent and contract talent when needed.

Meet the G&D Leadership Team

Nick Walrond
- CEO - Sanderson Government & Defence
Nick established Sanderson Government & Defence over 20 years ago to meet the unique challenge of supplying skilled resources to secure government. He solves clients talent problems as a partner, collaboratively and transparently, building long-term relationships and owning the problem through to completion. Sanderson Government & Defence has evolved into a versatile, multi-product service, with technology, diversity, and social value at the core of solutions. Nick ensures that the approach remains dynamic, making sure clients are positioned at the forefront of innovation and inclusivity.
Mollie Hatton
- Head of Talent Solutions - Government & Defence
Mollie manages our Talent Consulting for Sanderson Government and Defence. Mollie, alongside her team, delivers bespoke talent projects that are centred around hard to find hard to reach skillsets, ED&I consulting, employer value proposition and future talent programmes to help create a diverse workforce. She consistently strives to shift perspectives and break down barriers, embodying a commitment to thinking outside the box to drive positive change. These projects are agile, bespoke, and impactful looking at alternative solutions to meeting the organisational needs of the business.
Josh Irving
- Head of Search - Government & Defence
Josh has worked in Executive Search for over 20 years delivering mandates across a spectrum of clients. He works with his clients to understand how to support their business by strengthening their leadership teams as a long-term strategic partner. Josh joined Sanderson Government & Defence four years ago and has developed a capability that is unique by combining his proactive approach and best practice with deep sector and technical understanding of the secure government sector.
Charlie Lambert
- Market Director - Defence
Charlie serves as the strategic interface for all G&D customers ensuring that clients gain full exposure to the full range of talent solutions available. His approach to working with clients involves listening to their problems and solving them in bespoke ways to meet different intricacies. Charlie has been at Sanderson for over 18 years and regularly deals with large corporate clients as part of a small yet highly effective team. The team have a collaborative team culture where the service level from management to consultant is consistent creating trusting relationships.
Stuart Adams
- Market Director - National Security
Stuart has been with Sanderson for 25 years, starting his professional career as a consultant. He has progressed through the technology team, moving to the G&D team after experiencing firsthand the demand for security-cleared specialisms. He now manages G&D's contract solutions as well as mentoring and coaching the internal delivery team. Stuart works with clients to create solutions that address their challenges and is a constant throughout their journey. He believes in honesty and being brave to be truthful offering his advice and guidance to any business interested in recruitment solutions.
Lisa Goodman
- Operations Director - Government & Defence
Lisa is a seasoned leader in manages services, operations and programme management across government, defence and maritime sectors. She has proven success in strategic planning, service delivery, and people operations and is skilled in leading cross-functional teams, driving operational excellence and enhancing customer experience.
Simon Lim
- Head of Staffing and Capabilities
Simon brings over 21 years of experience, with a strong focus on technology recruitment across the UK. He has built deep expertise supporting clients and candidates in the Public and Indirect Public Sectors and is responsible for building and leading high-output, high-energy recruitment teams. Simon and his team specialise in finding, engaging and deploying temporary and permanent talent for clients in the most complex and sensitive parts of Government, National Security and Defence. Passionate about creating cultures of excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement, he is driven by the opportunity to transform capable teams into high-performing commercial engines that consistently deliver into our client base.

Women Empowering Defence

We have teamed up with Women Empowering Defence whose vision is to empower people within the defence industry to achieve their goals and fulfil their true potential.

Find out more about how we are getting involved. We will be attending events, generating podcasts and sharing our thought leadership articles.

Find out more about our partnership

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Search our latest jobs below

Search all live jobs

Technical Architect (Fully remote)
- South West
- £70000 - £75000 per annum + Fully remote
- Permanent
Digital Workplace Lead Architect - DV Cleared
- South West
- Negotiable
- Contract
IDAM Architect - DV Cleared - Perm
- South East
- £70000 - £85000 per annum + Benefits
- Permanent
Security Architect - DV Cleared - Perm
- South East
- Benefits
- Permanent
SC Cleared - Senior Security Engineer - Inside IR35
- South West
- £500 - £700 per day + Benefits
- Contract
OT Cyber Security Risk Consultant - Outside - SC Cleared
- M4 Corridor
- Up to £550 per day
- Contract
SC Cleared OT Cyber Security Risk Assessment Consultant
- M4 Corridor
- £500 - £550 per day + Outside IR35
- Contract
Technical Architect
- North East
- Negotiable
- Permanent
Digital Workplace Lead Architect - SC Cleared
- South West
- Negotiable
- Contract
SC cleared Enterprise Architect
- Central London
- £700 - £750 per day + Inside IR35
- Contract

Our
Frameworks

Crown Commercial Service Supplier

We are an approved Crown Commercial Service Supplier for all of our services.

Armed Forces Covenant

We are an approved Crown Commercial Service Supplier for all of our services.

Find Out More

Government & Defence Client and Candidate Testimonials

"We have been partnering with Sanderson Government & Defence for over 10 years. During this time they have sourced over 100 security cleared experts to help us to deliver National Security and Intelligence work."

Multinational technology company
"The introduction of a new candidate talent pool using Sanderson Government & Defence’s resources and network has really helped us to deliver defence critical work."

A technology company helping run mission critical systems and operations
"A superb example of what all recruiters and head-hunters should emulate. They were open, genuine, and really cared about ensuring that the role was going to be the right fit, for both the applicant’s personal experience and ambitions, and the employer’s culture and projects."

Candidate feedback
"I'm really impressed with how professional, knowledgeable and proactive the Sanderson Government & Defence team were."

Candidate feedback
"I can wholeheartedly say they're by far the best recruiting consultant I have encountered over 3 years since leaving HM Forces."

Candidate feedback

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Get in touch to discuss your talent challenges

Meet our Government & Defence Managing Director

Nick Walrond

CEO - Sanderson Government & Defence

Nick established Sanderson Government & Defence over 20 years ago to meet the unique challenge of supplying skilled resources to secure government. He solves clients talent problems as a partner, collaboratively and transparently, building long-term relationships and owning the problem through to completion. Sanderson Government & Defence has evolved into a versatile, multi-product service, with technology, diversity, and social value at the core of solutions. Nick ensures that the approach remains dynamic, making sure clients are positioned at the forefront of innovation and inclusivity.

Latest G&D News

View all articles

Reading Time: 3 Minutes
Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Hiring in Government & Defence

In this blog Sanderson G&D's Head of Talent Solutions James Kirby explores reactive hiring in the Government & Defence space, including the true cost of a reactive process, and how you can combat these issues.
- Written by:
  James Kirby
- Talent Solutions Partner
Reading Time: 5 Minutes
The Many Faces of Leadership

In this blog we explore how leadership comes in many forms, challenging the traditional stereotype that great leaders must be charismatic, outspoken and commanding through the lens of six influential women from history,
- Written by:
  Alice Howe
- Talent Solutions Manager - G&D
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Good People Aren’t Enough When Nobody Owns the Outcome

Over the past 24 years, we've seen the same story play out time and again. A critical programme is launched. The right budget is allocated. Experienced, security-cleared professionals are brought in. Every role is filled by capable people with the...
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- CEO - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 3 mins
Why Ex-Military Talent Deserves a Place in Your Workforce

In today’s competitive hiring market, organisations are searching for candidates who not only bring technical experience but also resilience, adaptability and strong character. This blog sets out some of the benefits of hiring veterans.
- Written by:
  Genny Tuffery
- Relationship Partner - Government & Defence
Reading Time: 4 mins
Skills, Security Clearance & AI: Planning a Workforce in a...

On Wednesday 13 May, Sanderson Government & Defence, alongside HR World, hosted a panel event at The Mayfair Townhouse, bringing together leaders from across government, defence and industry.
- Written by:
  Genny Tuffery
- Relationship Partner - Government & Defence
Reading Time: 3 mins
Think Twice: The Risks of Accepting Counter-Offers in Defence &...

Career decisions carry weight in any sector, but in defence and national security there are added layers that can make those decisions harder to reverse. Here's why you should pause before accpeting a counter-offer.
- Written by:
  Alice Howe
- Talent Solutions Manager - G&D
Reading Time: 4 mins
Are Hiring Managers Missing Out on Talent by Chasing Active SC...

Are organisations unnecessarily shrinking their talent pool by focusing only on candidates with currently active SC clearance? Let's explore...
- Written by:
  Ben Halligan
- Capability Lead - Data, Design & AI - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 3 mins
SC Clearance in 2026: What You Need to Know

This article explains what SC Clearance is, why it’s increasingly in demand, and the smartest way to obtain it - particularly if contracting is your longer term goal.
- Written by:
  Ben Halligan
- Capability Lead - Data, Design & AI - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 2 mins
What DV Cleared Software Engineers Prioritise in Their Next Role

The demand for DV cleared software engineers continues to exceed supply, making it essential for organisations to understand what these professionals value when considering a new opportunity. And several themes consistently stand out...
- Written by:
  James Kirby
- Talent Solutions Partner
Reading Time: 3 mins
How to Turbo Charge Your Social Value: Turning Intent into Impact

Sanderson Government & Defence recently hosted a breakfast seminar focused on one of the most important challenges and opportunities facing the UK Public Sector and Defence today: how to create meaningful, measurable social value while delivering...
- Written by:
  Charlie Lambert
- Market Director - Defence
Sanderson G&D Presents: Levelling the Playing Field: Gender...

The teams at Sanderson Government & Defence and Fujitsu Defence & National Security are excited to share our podcast, Levelling the Playing Field: Gender Equity in Fujitsu Defence, which has come through joint commitment in fostering diversity in...
Reading Time: 2 mins
Disrupting Defence Procurement—With Pace, Precision, and People

The 2025 Strategic Defence Review has made one thing clear: Procurement must evolve , FAST.
- Written by:
  Josh Irving
- Head of Search - Government & Defence