Case Study: How A2H Solutions is transforming Champneys Health Resorts’ recruitment strategy

Our Co-Founder Darryl Bate has been working with the team at Champneys for more than five years and since launching A2H Solutions Ltd , Champneys were one of our very early adopters. Having implemented our transparent programmatic technology in June 2023, we are so proud to share some of the incredible results we have achieved and can’t wait to announce our next steps in helping them develop their recruitment strategy. Here’s our interview with Gemma Tracey MCIPD, FIH , Champneys HR Director.

The Challenges

When Champneys first came to us, they were managing recruitment across multiple locations, juggling several job boards with mixed results. As Gemma Tracey, HR Director at Champneys, explained, “We had to make some tough decisions about where to invest our recruitment budget. After COVID, it was a real challenge to find the right job boards, and feeling the continued pinch of Brexit we needed to cover more bases than we had done before. We had limited resources, and if we made the wrong choice [a job board not typically associated with our industry], it meant a year of recruitment budget and success could be wasted.”

Hearing this, we knew that our transparent programmatic advertising solution could make a real difference for them. Champneys was using up to three job boards at once – some industry-specific, others broader – but were still struggling to fill niche roles. Worse yet, they often had to turn to expensive recruitment agencies when these job boards failed to deliver.

The Tactics

Our goal was to provide Champneys with a flexible and easy-to-use solution that would allow them to make their recruitment budget go further, target the right candidates, and cut down on costly agency fees.

“A2H’s platform was a game-changer for us,” Gemma told us. “The ease of use was incredible. With a small HR team managing large numbers of employees across nine businesses, we needed something simple. A2H was just that. It’s a traffic light system and tick boxes – everything we needed to manage multiple recruitment campaigns with ease.”

One of the key advantages we offered Champneys was the ability to adjust their recruitment strategy on the fly, tailoring campaigns to specific roles and locations. For instance, Eastwell Manor, one of Champneys’ more remote properties, had always struggled to attract chefs. After implementing our solution, the results were immediate.

“ Champneys Eastwell Manor Hotel & Spa had always been a tough sell when it came to hiring chefs,” Gemma recalled. “But after using A2H, we suddenly had six candidates in the final stages of the process. We had never seen results like that before.”

Cost efficiency was another major benefit. Before working with us, Champneys often relied on recruitment agencies to fill critical roles, especially executive-level positions, which cost them between £5,000 and £10,000 in fees per hire.

“We were amazed by the cost savings,” Gemma said. “We used to pay agencies a fortune for roles like executive chefs. But with A2H, we were able to get quality candidates directly, without the need for an agency. It’s saved us so much money.”

Our technology has also given Champneys more control and visibility over their recruitment process. They could now post jobs across a wide range of boards—both free and niche—while managing budgets and tracking results in real-time.

“Having that kind of transparency has been a huge advantage,” Gemma explained. “We can see exactly where our budget is going, how many applications we’re getting, and make adjustments as needed. If something isn’t working, we can pivot immediately. That flexibility has been priceless.”

The Results

 

Since partnering with A2H Solutions, Champneys has not only seen a significant increase in applications but also an improvement in retention rates. By targeting the right candidates, they’ve been able to reduce turnover and ensure they’re hiring people who are the right fit for the roles.

“The retention rates have improved as well,” Gemma told us. “In the past, we’d get lots of one-click applies, which didn’t always lead to the best hires. Now, we’re getting higher-quality candidates who are a better fit for the business.”

At A2H, we’re particularly proud of how our solution has helped Champneys increase brand visibility in the job market. Even for roles with traditionally lower wages, like night porters, Champneys saw a dramatic increase in applications, which strengthened their employer brand.

“We were hiring for a night porter role, which is typically tough to fill,” said Gemma. “But thanks to A2H, we had 100s of people see that job. Whether they applied or not, those people now know our brand and that we’re hiring. That kind of exposure is invaluable.”

We’re so pleased to see Gemma and her team now have the confidence to manage recruitment efficiently and in-house, without relying on expensive external agencies. And for us at A2H, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how our technology has made such a positive impact.

“A2H has been a life-changer for us,” Gemma concluded. “If you’re not on board with A2H yet, you should be. They’ve completely changed how we recruit, and we’re never going back.”

We’re excited to continue working with Champneys and to help them grow their business with smart, efficient, and cost-effective recruitment strategies. At A2H Solutions, we’re always ready to help businesses like Champneys succeed by making recruitment easier, more transparent, and more impactful.

If you’re interested in understanding how our technology works, book a demo with Co-Founder James Rodricks at [email protected] or visit https://the-hospitalitynetwork.com/advertise_with_us to find out more.