Q&A with Lawrence Talmage: Building Synapri’s Public Sector Recruitment Division

Over the past year, Lawrence Talmage has been leading the charge in shaping Synapri’s Public Sector division from the ground up. From securing key frameworks to becoming a trusted partner for government and consultancy projects, Lawrence shares his insights into the challenges, opportunities, and future of public sector recruitment.

You joined Synapri just over a year ago to lead the public sector division – what initially attracted you to the role and the business?

The opportunity to build and shape a dedicated public sector division from the ground up was incredibly exciting. Synapri stood out for their successful growth and people-first culture. From the outset, it was clear this is a business that values people, innovation, and long-term partnerships.

How would you describe the current public sector recruitment landscape?

It’s both challenging and full of opportunity. The public sector is under pressure to do more, which means they need partners who truly understand their world. At the same time, the demand for tech-skilled professionals is higher than ever, which makes the market competitive but also full of opportunity for recruiters.

Despite the challenges, Synapri has made real strides in this space. What have been the key milestones or wins over the past year?

We’ve secured spots on key frameworks, delivered niche projects for central government and our consultancy partners, whilst establishing strong relationships with clients who now see us as a go-to partner. That reputation for me is priceless.

Public sector recruitment can be quite different from private sector hiring – what are some of the unique aspects or challenges you've encountered?

Not only finding the right skills but also navigating the compliance. The processes can be longer, but every successful placement contributes to projects that really matter within communities and people’s lives.

You’ve worked in Public Sector recruitment for over 15 years – how does working at Synapri compare to previous experiences?

It’s unique in that it's agile like a start-up but with the credibility of a trusted brand. There’s no red tape slowing you down, and your ideas are encouraged and acted upon. The culture is collaborative and supportive, which makes it an exciting place to work if you want to grow and push yourself.

What qualities or mindset do you think are essential to succeed in public sector recruitment?

Resilience, curiosity, and immersing yourself in your skill set. You need to be able to navigate challenges with a positive mindset, be curious enough to understand the nuances of your clients’ world and be motivated to deliver over your competitors.

Looking ahead, what’s next for the public sector?

We’re entering an era of digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation. The public sector will continue to look for partners who can help them access the best talent to help drive these changes forward. Synapri are perfectly placed to support this, we'll continue to expand our networkers, deepen expertise, and position ourselves as the go-to trusted recruitment partner.

As digital transformation and innovation continue to reshape the public sector, Synapri is ready to connect organisations with the talent that drives real change. Speak to Lawrence today to see how we can help support your digital transformation.