The Challenge
ABF, is not as widely known at the graduate level as the consumer brands it owns (Silver Spoon, Allison, Twinings, Ryvita…), which meant in 2008, when Futureboard first started working with the business, we had to consider a different approach to attracting high-calibre individuals with leadership potential for their scheme.
The Solution
We used both online advertising and targeted campus activity to drive applications from students that we thought would be a good culture fit for ABF’s grocery group. We used our contacts with student groups and societies to promote the opportunity amongst members, which meant that we were able to target people with skills that were a good fit for the specific streams. In addition, we targeted individuals within our network that we thought were high calibre but hadn’t necessarily considered a career within FMCG.
Once we attracted candidates into the process, we managed them through a rigorous selection process (interviews, online testing and assessment centre) right the way through to offer stage.
The Result
• Exceeded target hires
• 100% offer to acceptance ratio
• Futureboard has built an in-depth relationship with ABF and together we have helped evolve the partnership. We are now in the 8th year of working on the ABF graduate programme.
“I completed a BA Linguistics degree at Cambridge University and thanks to Futureboard, joined ABF on the marketing graduate scheme. I think Futureboard stood out as they took an extremely personal approach, for example, instead of sending out blanket emails, they made an effort at every stage to engage with me. I felt my expectations were managed all the way through and they provided me with some excellent insights into the company and to the types of projects I might work on once joining.”
Hannah Boyd-Jones, Marketing Graduate Scheme,