How Matchtech is delivering Windracers’ permanent talent solution, providing a scalable team of 55 specialist recruiters, an embedded on-site partner, and a structured SLA-driven hiring process across engineering and professional disciplines.
Matchtech’s model centres on a dedicated account team that combines strategic leadership with on-the-ground delivery.
Senior direction comes from Dan Tchupan (Head of Defence & Mobility) and James Parnell (Talent Solutions Director), while Matt Whyley (Recruitment Business Partner) is embedded on-site at Windracers every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, operating as a true extension of the internal team. Overseeing smooth day‑to‑day processes is Becky Syms (Service Manager).
Backing them is a scalable bench of 55 specialist recruiters covering every corner of Windracers’ talent needs. Engineering expertise is led by Marcus Roberts (Engineering & Technology), Sonia Watton (Aerospace Manufacturing), Mike Pleydell (Technology & Drone) and Dan Martin (Aerospace Engineering). Professional functions are supported by Jenna White (HR & Talent), Eric Ho (Procurement & Supply Chain), Brad Harthill (Sales & Marketing), and Jo Kitcher (Accounts & Finance).
Matchtech operates a structured end-to-end recruitment process, with clearly defined responsibilities for both Matchtech and Windracers at each stage. Once a vacancy is approved, Matchtech qualifies the role with the hiring manager within 3 days, uploads it to Bamboo and advertises it within 1 day of qualification, and conducts proactive sourcing via the Matchtech database and partner jobsites.
A minimum of 3 CVs are submitted within 5 working days, with CV feedback required from Windracers within 3 working days. Interviews are arranged by Matchtech within 2 working days of request, with a minimum of 2 interviews targeted within 10 working days. Offer management follows within 1 working day of selection, with Matchtech overseeing onboarding through to completion.
Matchtech provides both weekly and monthly reporting to ensure Windracers has full visibility of recruitment activity and performance. Weekly reports include a live WIP document, CV and interview volumes, number of new roles approved, any SLA breaches, live job totals and offers accepted. Monthly reports provide cumulative KPI data across all SLA categories, tracking performance against agreed targets for both Matchtech and Windracers.
Key agreed SLAs include: role qualified with hiring manager within 3 days of approval (100% target); minimum 3 CVs presented within 5 working days (100% target); minimum 2 interviews requested within 10 working days (100% target); interviews arranged within 2 working days (100% target); offer extended within 1 working day (100% target); 80% direct delivery target; and average time to offer from approval of 30 days (80% target). All SLA categories have corresponding responsibilities on both sides, ensuring mutual accountability throughout the process.
Matchtech works closely with hiring manager leads across all of Windracers’ key engineering departments. Contacts include Joe Roberts (Manufacturing Leader), Kostas Kontogiannis (Physical Leader), Tom Reed (Functional Leader), Chris Savage (Physical — Contractor), Rob Datson (Operations Leader), Jonathan Waterford (Mission Software Leader), Stewart Wallace (Head of Safety and Regulations), Jason Hill (Power Lead) and Rebecca Toomey (Flight Operations Manager). This breadth of stakeholder relationships ensures Matchtech understands the specific requirements, priorities and culture of each team, enabling faster, better-matched hiring decisions.
