Starfish Search take on Yorkshire’s Three Peaks with the Public Sector Challenge
A superstar team from Starfish Search are undertaking the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge this September. Organised by the amazing people at Public Sector Challenge, The goal is for teams to beat the clock (within 12hrs) and climb the 3 biggest peaks in Yorkshire alongside other Public Sector Teams and private sector partners. The teams will be undertaking the challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause that lies close to everyone’s hearts at Starfish Search.
Chief executive of Brentwood BC and Rochford DC, Jonathan Stephenson, devised the plan to create the Public Sector Challenge after leading his own teams on a similar challenge back in 2022 where 30 employees from the council raised more than £12,000 for local charities when they took on the Three Peaks Yorkshire challenge. The challenge consists of a 26 mile walk and climb over 12 hours and includes 1585m (5200ft) of ascent. It takes on the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres). These hills form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
There’s still time to contribute, please visit the link here to donate. Check out some of the pictures below.
The 2026 leadership paradox: balancing tactical survival with strategic transformation (And why modern leadership isn’t about rules)
Leadership in 2026 is a balancing act: responding to immediate pressures while preparing for long-term transformation. In our latest article, we explore how these competing demands are reshaping senior recruitment, boardroom dynamics and expectations of modern leaders. From financial resilience and fundraising to AI-driven change and evolving governance, discover why successful leadership today is less about following the rules and more about navigating uncertainty with clarity, agility and purpose.
Upcoming Webinar – Starfish Search | Hanover Talent Presents: Embrace your Imposter
Imposter syndrome is more than a passing wobble in confidence - it’s a pattern that quietly shapes how you work, lead and show up. Why does that matter? Because left unchecked, it doesn’t just affect how you feel - it affects the opportunities you go for and the impact you make. That means moving beyond simply pushing through the doubt to understand where it comes from, which type of imposter you are, and how to reframe it. It’s the difference between an imposter that holds you back - and one that works for you.
The Death of the Covering Letter
For the past two years, clients have consistently asked us about our attitude toward Artificial Intelligence (AI). They want to know how we use it, and what we think of candidates using it to write their covering letters.
ACCREDITATIONS
ESPO is a public sector owned professional buying organisation (PBO), specialising in providing a wide range of goods and services to the public sector for over 40 years. Starfish Search has been awarded a place on ESPO’s Strategic HR Services framework (3S). Please contact us to find out how we can support under this framework.
Starfish are proud to be certified Disability Confident Committed. This scheme provides employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace.
Bloom, launched in 2012 is the UK’s leading marketplace for professional services. They provide an end-to-end solution for the procurement, contract management and payment of all professional services, via the compliant NEPRO³ framework. Their public sector clients have access to 20 professional services categories and over 4500 accredited suppliers. Bloom provides swift routes to market via either direct award or mini competition. Starfish is an accredited supplier to BLOOM; our services can be accessed via this framework - Executive and Non-Executive Search and Interim Management.
Join the starfish team
We hire people who bring insight, integrity and ambition to their work. If you’re ready to contribute to shaping the future of leadership and you want to explore our current opportunities please click the link below.
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