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Government & Defence

Government & Defence

Defence talent solution specialists

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

Our services encompass the full range of workforce management from total talent solutions, including RPO and non-permanent managed services, through to retained projects, search offerings, consulting services and contingent recruitment.

Recruitment Services

We recruit for a wide variety of roles, both directly and indirectly to government customers. Our understanding of the sector, ability to reach hard to find candidates and knowledge of security clearance processes means we can deliver the best quality candidates for our clients.
Consulting Services

Our Government & Defence Consulting Services support clients who have a complex portfolio of initiatives or projects and either lack the time, or specialist capability, or are struggling to deliver project outcomes. With an agile delivery process, we offer our clients access to our experienced specialist talent pool, aligned specifically to your desired outcomes.
Search

We work with both government departments directly, via Crown Commercial Service (CCS) approved frameworks, and the integrated supply chain to the defence sector to find the best leadership talent. Our specialism is in business leadership roles, working into networks of talent who have either the domain expertise specific to your problem or transferrable skills and a desire to contribute to the mission importance of secure government.
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)

Our approach to MSP is to see your non-permanent population as an extension of your talent pool, we offer technology backed solutions that are sensitive to your needs, bespoke to individual business divisions, and can range from vendor neutral to master vendor solutions. Our approach is to implement a simple, transparent, and compliant process, spanning the non-permanent lifecycle from workforce planning to offboarding, providing visibility, cost savings and access to the best extended talent.
Transformative Career Coaching

At Sanderson Government and Defence, we understand the unique challenges faced by professionals in the government and defence sectors. Our Transformative Career Coaching services are designed to empower individuals and teams to achieve their highest potential, ensuring that they are equipped to navigate career transitions with confidence and meet the demands of their roles, whilst feeling fulfilled by the work they do, with clarity and direction towards a future they are excited about.

Meet the G&D Leadership Team

Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - 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.
Nick Yarham
- Head of Talent Partnering - Government & Defence
Nick started in recruitment in 1996 and established Sanderson Government and Defence in 2002 alongside Nick Walrond. Nick manages talent partnering providing solutions for permanent recruitment. He has fostered trusting relationships and yielded business opportunities through his active listening and ethos of treating others how you’d like to be treated. Nick and his team build solutions that enable businesses to attract the best talent, and work with them to enhance their holistic business creating candidate retention and business growth.
Mollie Hatton
- Head of Talent Consulting - 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.
James Corcoran
- Head of Recruitment Services - Government & Defence
James leads the team of Government and Defence consultants working across the various solutions and driving the evolution of G&D’s regional business hubs. With 19 years of recruitment experience, James serves as an escalation point adding value beyond transactional opportunities. His embedded approach involves lateral thinking, entering strategic conversations to help clients develop ED&I initiatives and diverse teams. James’s impact extends to his role as a council member for the Tech UK Skills and Diversity Council supporting these initiatives in the technology sector.
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
- Head of Client Development - Government & 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
- Head of Contract Solutions & Delivery - Government & Defence
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.
Michelle Wright
- Head of Sales - Government & Defence
Michelle has over 16 years' experience in the sales and recruitment industry and works with Sanderson Government & Defence to drive business growth by providing our clients expert advice and collaborating on bids and tenders. Working closely with each service line Head, she ensures a consistent, transparent and aligned approach to support sustainability and growth. Michelle brings with her a unique leadership perspective that blends the art of selling with the science of talent acquisition and this dual focus allows her to not only accelerate business growth but also to cultivate enduring relationships that stand the test of time.
Oliver Organ
- Business Manager Consulting
Oliver is instrumental to the growth of the Sanderson Government & Defence Consulting Services practice. He uses his experience in business management for large consultancies and SMEs in the defence sector to increase the value we deliver to our clients and prioritises a solutions-focussed way of working. With a partnering-first approach and a keen-eye for collaboration, Oliver is personally invested in his clients and prides himself on delivering outcomes that not only solve problems, but have a lasting impact and are sustainable for the clients they serve.

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

Security Architect - Hybrid, Newcastle
- North East
- £700 - £750 per day + Inside IR35, Negotiable rate
- Contract
Cyber Engineer (SC Cleared)
- West Midlands
- £500 - £700 per day + Outside IR35
- Contract
3rd Line Cloud Network Engineer - Perm - Defence
- South East
- £50000 - £60000 per annum + Clearance Bonus & Company Bens
- Permanent
PKI Engineer
- South East
- £50000 - £55000 per annum + £6k Car Allowance
- Permanent
PKI Integrator/Engineer - Perm - DV Clearable
- South East
- £50000 - £55000 per annum + Car + Bonus x 2 + Benefits
- Permanent
Success Factors Compensation and Variable Pay Consultant
- West Midlands
- £550 - £590 per day + Inside IR35
- Contract
DV Cleared Network Automation Engineer
- West Midlands
- £500 - £550 per day
- Contract
User Researcher - hybrid (Manchester or Newcastle)
- West Midlands
- £400 - £430 per day + Inside IR35, Negotiable rate
- Contract
Security Architect
- South East
- £500 - £675 per day
- 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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Are you ready to maximise the benefits of your age diverse workforce? Find strategies for multi-generational success in this new White Paper

Get in touch to discuss your talent challenges

Meet our Government & Defence Managing Director

Nick Walrond

Managing Director - 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: 4 mins
Digital Skills Deficit in UK Government & Defence: A National...

Could a 'Skills First' agenda offer a new approach to workforce development, by focusing on aptitude and potential rather than traditional credentials?
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 3 mins
Podcast: Why a Skills-Based RTD Model De-Risks Hiring and Powers...

Nick recently had the pleasure of joining a podcast exploring why in today it’s not who has the biggest brand or the deepest pockets that wins — it’s who can mobilise the right skills, at the right time, to drive real outcomes.
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 5 Minutes
Career Pathways for UK Veterans: From Military Service to Civilian...

Transitioning from military service to civilian life is a journey filled with both challenges and opportunities. This blog will explore the industries in which military leavers have key transferable skills, alongside tips for a smooth transition to...
- Written by:
  Michelle Wright
- Head of Sales - Government & Defence
Reading Time: 5 mins
Cultivating Harmony White Paper: Strategies for a Multi-Generational...

Sanderson Government & Defence is pleased to present this new White Paper produced in partnership with The HR World. The Paper provides a vital insight into the importance and potential of the multi-generational workforce and brings together the...
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 4 mins
What’s new in Government & Defence recruitment: Our thoughts...

We’re now well into 2025 and it’s been a busy start to the year for Sanderson Government & Defence. But what can we learn from the last few months, and what can we expect from the rest of 2025 in the world of recruitment?
- Written by:
  James Corcoran
- Head of Recruitment Services - Government & Defence
Reading Time: 2 mins
Future Skills: Opportunities and Challenges for the UK Government

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and with this change means a different set of skills is now required in the workplace. So what sort of opportunities and challenges does this present to the UK government and defence sector?
- Written by:
  Mollie Hatton
- Head of Talent Consulting - Government & Defence
Reading Time: 3 mins
The 100-Year Life: A New Perspective on Ageing

Nick takes a deeper dive into the topic of the 100-Year Life thanks to exciting new research published in Nature Ageing, which reveals that baby boomers are now ageing so slowly that 70 really is the new 60.
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 5 mins
Embracing Longevity: Strategies for a 100-Year Life in the Workplace

Living longer means working longer, but it also means rethinking the traditional three-stage life cycle of: education, work, and retirement.
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 5 mins
Harnessing the Strengths of an Intergenerational Workforce

As retirement ages rise, today’s workforces are becoming increasingly age-diverse presenting unique challenges for business leaders, but also a huge wealth of opportunities. Let’s explore them...
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 4 mins
Addressing the Digital Skills Shortages in the UK Defence Sector: A...

Nick addresses the critical digital skills gap in the UK defence sector. How much of a threat to our national security and our competitiveness on the global stage do these shortages present? Find out more here...
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 3 mins
Empowering Sea Cadets for Future Careers: A New Initiative

Sanderson Government & Defence are joining forces with MSSC and The British Army’s Specialist Group Information Services (SGIS) to develop a new Artificial Intelligence based application that’s tailored specifically for over 15,000 active cadets...
- Written by:
  Nick Walrond
- Managing Director - Sanderson Government & Defence
Reading Time: 4 mins
Enhancing Inclusive Recruitment Practices: From communication styles...

Our Head of Talent Consulting for G&D Mollie Hatton recently provided training to one of our technology company clients to to increase awareness and familiarity around inclusivity, and more specifically inclusive recruitment.
- Written by:
  Mollie Hatton
- Head of Talent Consulting - Government & Defence