Nick Jones, director at Blue Eskimo, says that the appointment strengthens the company’s management team enormously. “We’ve worked with Ed for many years and have deep respect for his knowledge and abilities. We’ve asked Ed to come on board to help shape the way we do business, delivering benefits for both clients and candidates alike.”

Monk will be working with the team at Blue Eskimo to help align its recruitment with the Learning & Performance Institute’s Capability Map. "We began to bring our processes into line with the Capability Map a few years ago," says Jones, "as we felt it brought logic to how learning skills are understood, grouped, and ordered. Ed is going to be key to helping us complete this process in the best possible way."

Blue Eskimo has worked closely with the Learning & Performance Institute for over a decade and is the Institute’s only accredited recruitment provider. "Ed’s appointment will bring his skills into our team,” says Jones. “Our relationship with the Institute – one we’re very proud of – remains unchanged."

Monk will also help steer the company’s strategy, especially in terms of business development, such as executive search for overseas and international appointments. "Ed really does have his finger on the pulse," says Jones. "Our background is learning, and we believe that we service the learning sector from the inside, but Ed brings a whole new level of experience to the business. He can help us understand the real-world challenges of L&D leaders because he’s in daily discussion with them."

Equally enthusiastic about the appointment, Monk says, "I’m really looking forward to helping Blue Eskimo not only take their business up a notch, but also raise the bar even further for recruitment in the sector. Implementing the Capability Map as a conduit to more accurate recruitment is an exciting prospect, as is helping to take Blue Eskimo even further."

Monk’s appointment is immediate, and he continues his role as chief executive at the Learning & Performance Institute.