William Townsend

Hi, I’m Will, the founder of ESP, established in March 2010.

Before starting ESP, I gained extensive experience in recruitment, working for two different businesses—one focused on IT and the other on education. This combination gave me significant knowledge of IT within educational settings.

Encouraged by a client from my early career, I decided to set up my own business. After several years in the industry, I took the plunge! I had met Steve through work in the 1990s, and we always kept in touch. When an opportunity arose for him to join ESP in 2016, we were both excited to work together again.

Our sweet spot for companies is micro businesses and SMEs that lack in-house talent acquisition teams. For schools, we offer specialist knowledge in areas where HR teams may not have expertise, specifically in Finance, Data, and IT management.

With our extensive contacts and a database built over many years, we can secure top talent quickly and provide solution-focused services for schools and businesses.

Outside of ESP, I have a busy family life. We enjoy long countryside walks on weekends, and I love off-road cycling. I also help run a family farm with my brother, managing wildlife avenues, hedges, and various sustainability projects, as well as other diversified farm activities. This ensures I get time in the fresh air and continue to hone my project management skills.

Email me at wtownsend@esp-recruit.co.uk