Derek H.
Derek H.
Senior TA Partner

Keen to receive questions about

Application advice Everyday life General Why us

Top Advice

"One thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to know everything in the beginning. No one really does, and that’s completely okay. The most important thing is to be open to learning. Ask questions, even the ones you think might sound silly. Don’t be afraid to try new things or make mistakes. That’s how you learn."

Career path

About Derek H.

Current Position
As a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at First Bus, I play a key role in finding and attracting top talent to help drive our business forward. With a strong background in recruitment, direct sourcing, and consulting, I work closely with hiring managers, HR, and business leaders to ensure we bring the right people into the right roles at the right time. My role is all about combining hands-on recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of the business. I build tailored sourcing strategies, provide market insights, and offer practical, data-led recommendations that support both immediate hiring needs and long-term workforce planning. I manage end-to-end recruitment processes across multiple channels, always with a focus on delivering a great candidate experience and a smooth, efficient process for hiring teams. It’s a role that allows me to make a real impact—helping First Bus stay competitive and aligned with evolving industry trends by ensuring we have the right talent in place to succeed.
Main Motivation
What I really enjoy about my job at First Bus is knowing that I’m helping people find roles where they can genuinely do well and feel valued. It’s a great feeling to be part of someone’s journey into a new job, especially when you know it’s the right fit for them and the business. No two days are the same, which keeps things interesting! I get to work with different teams, come up with new ways to find great candidates, and support managers in building strong, reliable teams. First Bus is a really supportive place to work. Everyone’s working towards the same goal. It’s nice to be part of a company that cares about its people and is always looking to improve. That’s what makes it such a rewarding place to be.
Top Advice
One thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to know everything in the beginning. No one really does, and that’s completely okay. The most important thing is to be open to learning. Ask questions, even the ones you think might sound silly. Don’t be afraid to try new things or make mistakes. That’s how you learn.
Greatest Achievement
Throughout my career in talent acquisition, I've had the opportunity to work across a range of sectors, from public service to transport and professional sport, where I've developed a passion for connecting people with the right opportunities and driving meaningful hiring outcomes. Here are some of the key achievements I’m most proud of: Played a key role in adapting recruitment processes to changing industry trends, including the integration of AI-driven sourcing strategies and data-led decision-making to improve time-to-hire and application quality. Supported the launch and growth of specialist services, such as the FlixBus partnership at First Bus, by delivering tailored recruitment support and ensuring the right talent was in place to meet new service expectations. Successfully delivered recruitment campaigns for a wide variety of roles including permanent staff, contractors, and temporary positions — always ensuring a smooth, positive experience for both hiring managers and candidates. Introduced process improvements to enhance the speed and quality of hiring across public sector environments, supporting compliance and fairness while maintaining a high standard of service delivery. Led and developed recruitment teams, offering support and mentorship to ensure consistency, motivation, and professional growth across the teams you’ve managed. Brought a unique blend of commercial and sporting talent expertise, leveraging experience as a football scout and head of recruitment to identify potential, assess suitability, and build long-term partnerships with talent — whether in transport, public service, or professional sport. Partnered with Police Scotland’s senior leadership to align talent acquisition with strategic workforce goals, ensuring the right structures were in place to attract high-integrity and aligned personnel. Transferred elite-level talent identification skills from the sports sector into the corporate world, bringing a sharp eye for potential, performance, and cultural fit in high-pressure environments

Discussions with Derek H.

Depot allocation and route details for a potential applicant relocating from Birmingham.

I am planning to relocate from Birmingham to the Somerset area and I am very interested in applying for a Bus Driver position with First Bus. Specifically, I would love to work on the 126 route (Weston-super-Mare to Wells) as I prefer interurban routes. ​Before I submit my formal application and start looking for accommodation (a house share), I would kindly like to ask: 1. If I apply, can I be contractually allocated specifically to the Weston-super-Mare depot? 2. What are the earliest start times and latest finish times for shifts at this depot? This will help me choose the right location for my rent based on my commute. 3. Is there a possibility to receive an employment confirmation letter for landlords once the interview process is successful? ​Thank you for your time and assistance. ​Kind regards, Marcel

Application advice, Application process

  • 1 reply
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What is the weekly wage

Role, Salary

  • 1 reply
  • 241 views

I have an assessment for trainee bus driver tomorrow. What should I wear ?

Interview advice, Interview tips

  • 2 replies
  • 209 views

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