Nicola Morse: A Visionary Recruiter Redefining Talent Acquisition for Startups and Scaleups
In the dynamic world of recruitment, where the stakes are high and every hire has the potential to change the trajectory of a business, Nicola Morse has carved out a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking and human-centred recruiters in the United Kingdom. Based in the Greater Bristol Area, she has spent more than a decade mastering the art of connecting exceptional talent with ambitious companies. Today, as Co-Founder of Hera, she is helping founders, tech leaders, and CEOs find the people who will not only fill roles but also fuel growth and innovation.
This article delves into Nicola Morse’s education, career journey, professional philosophy, and the impact she continues to make in recruitment.
Early Life and Education
A Strong Academic Foundation
Nicola Morse’s path to recruitment excellence began with a solid academic background. She studied at Devonport High School for Girls, where she completed her GCSEs and A-Levels between 2000 and 2007. Her early education provided her with both the discipline and intellectual curiosity that would later underpin her career in people-focused industries.
After finishing secondary education, Nicola enrolled at the University of Gloucestershire. From 2007 to 2010, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, graduating with First-Class Honours. This academic achievement not only reflects her dedication and commitment but also demonstrates her ability to analyse human behaviour, a skill that has proven invaluable in her recruitment career.
Professional Career
Early Career at Office Angels
Nicola’s recruitment journey took off in 2012 when she joined Office Angels in Bristol. Over the course of seven years, she rose through the ranks, holding several key positions.
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Senior Recruitment Consultant (2012–2013): Nicola began by focusing on HR and Finance placements, quickly building a reputation for her meticulous approach and strong communication skills.
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Principal Recruitment Consultant (2013–2017): She established herself as a trusted advisor, specialising in connecting talented business professionals with leading companies in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
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Branch Manager (2017–2019): Nicola’s leadership abilities came to the fore as she managed a team of consultants, ensuring high standards of service and client satisfaction.
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Finance Branch Manager (2019): Although a shorter role, it reflected her ability to adapt and take on new challenges within the broader recruitment landscape.
Her time at Office Angels set the stage for her future, giving her first-hand experience of both individual recruitment and team leadership.
Method Resourcing: Expanding Horizons
In 2019, Nicola transitioned to Method Resourcing, where she spent nearly three years. Initially joining as a Principal Recruitment Consultant, she later became Client Services Manager. Her role involved working closely with clients to deliver innovative recruitment solutions, particularly within IT and Business Change markets.
At Method Resourcing, Nicola gained exposure to start-ups as well as multinational companies, broadening her understanding of how recruitment strategies must adapt to different organisational needs. This period deepened her passion for startup culture, innovation, and high-growth environments.
Method Talent Solutions: A Strategic Role
Nicola then moved on to Method Talent Solutions in 2022, where she worked for just over a year. She started as Client Services Manager before being promoted to Associate Director. Here, she embraced an agile, data-driven approach to recruitment, supporting companies in scaling their teams efficiently while maintaining a focus on quality candidates.
Her work emphasised collaboration with internal teams, acting as an extension of client organisations rather than an external service provider. This strategic and consultative approach would later become central to her philosophy at Hera.
Co-Founding Hera
In October 2023, Nicola co-founded Hera, a recruitment agency redefining the hiring process for startups and scaleups. Based in the United Kingdom and operating remotely, Hera is powered by women and designed to provide a fresh perspective in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
At Hera, Nicola partners directly with founders, CEOs, and technical leaders, offering more than just a recruitment service. Her approach is rooted in acting as a trusted partner—saving leaders time, reducing overwhelm, and ensuring that hiring does not become a second full-time job.
Hera focuses on:
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Building Product, Growth, CRM, and Strategy teams.
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Creating diverse, high-performing workforces.
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Ensuring cultural alignment between candidates and organisations.
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Delivering people who thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
This venture reflects Nicola’s passion for human-first hiring and her commitment to helping early-stage companies access untapped top talent.
Skills and Expertise
Core Competencies
Over the years, Nicola Morse has developed a wide array of skills, which she now brings to her role at Hera. These include:
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Technology Recruitment: Deep experience in sourcing candidates for engineering, product design, and software development roles.
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Start-Up Leadership: Understanding the challenges and opportunities unique to early-stage companies.
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Diversity and Inclusion: Advocating for workplaces that are inclusive and representative, ensuring diverse voices contribute to growth.
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Strategic Partnership: Acting as more than just a recruiter—offering insights, guidance, and support at the executive level.
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Data-Driven Decision-Making: Using evidence-based methods to refine recruitment processes and outcomes.
A Human-First Approach
Nicola believes in putting people at the centre of recruitment. Rather than treating candidates as commodities, she focuses on matching individuals to environments where they can flourish. For her, recruitment is not just about filling a vacancy but about building long-term relationships that benefit both sides.
Philosophy and Impact
Redefining Recruitment
What sets Nicola apart is her vision of recruitment as a partnership. She recognises that every hire is business-critical, particularly in startups and scaleups where resources are limited, and the wrong decision can have lasting consequences.
By offering a tailored, empathetic, and strategic approach, Nicola ensures that leaders can remain focused on growing their businesses while she identifies and secures the right people to join their teams.
Empowering Women in Recruitment
Through Hera, Nicola is also redefining what it means to be a woman in leadership within recruitment. She champions women-owned businesses, promotes women’s health and leadership, and actively contributes to creating an industry that is more equitable and inclusive.
Personal Life
While Nicola is best known for her professional achievements, she has also openly shared glimpses of her personal life. She has described herself as a 35-year-old mother of two, balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family life. This balance adds authenticity to her work, as she understands first-hand the challenges many professionals face in integrating personal and professional goals.
Conclusion
Nicola Morse stands as a shining example of how recruitment can be both strategic and deeply human. With her impressive educational background, more than a decade of experience, and her role as Co-Founder of Hera, she has redefined how startups and scaleups approach hiring. Her expertise lies not only in identifying talent but also in building sustainable, diverse, and high-performing teams that help businesses achieve their full potential.
By putting people first, advocating for inclusivity, and delivering recruitment solutions tailored to the unique challenges of high-growth companies, Nicola has established herself as one of the most influential recruiters in the Greater Bristol Area and beyond. Her journey continues to inspire leaders, professionals, and aspiring recruiters alike.
