10 Moments That Shaped Our Journey
Reaching a 10-year milestone gives you pause. It invites reflection, not just on growth and success, but on the moments that truly shaped who you are and where you’re heading.
As we celebrate
a Decade of Impact, we’ve looked back at just 10 moments that helped define our journey and shape our destination. They’re moments of belief, learning, resilience, community and, above all, people.
April 2016 – Our very first deal
We celebrated in the pub with no money in the bank, but huge pride in being officially up and running. It was a recruitment deal, delivered through collaboration between my customer and Matt’s candidate. A perfect first win and an early example of how strong teamwork would underpin everything we do.
May 2016 – Becoming the exclusive talent partner to Big Data LDN
Positioning ourselves alongside what would become Europe’s largest data event was a huge moment. Ten years on, we sit on the steering committee, are part of the
BDL Hall of Fame, and continue welcoming delegates into the VIP Lounge. A partnership we’re incredibly proud of.
January 2017 – Growth in action
When our Data Science recruiter walked in on a Monday and casually mentioned he’d been learning Python, we were blown away. Today,
Nicholas Deveney is a shareholder, leads our consulting projects, and advises clients on data strategy, implementation and adoption. That’s what growth really looks like.
May 2017 – The birth of Nurture
Born from spotting a problem in the talent pipeline,
Nurture was designed to create value for students, universities and industry alike. Watching
Marie May lead Nurture with such passion and purpose remains one of our proudest achievements.
April 2019 – Learning the hard way
We won our first consulting project… and failed. Miserably. But we learned, fast. That failure led us to build an ecosystem of exceptional data and AI advisors and partners, enabling us to later support FTSE 100 organisations with confidence and credibility.
March 2020 – The Covid decision
One of the toughest moments in our history. Furloughing everyone except the shareholders,
Matt,
Jez and Nick was painful. But it forced adaptation. We rethought our operating model, strengthened community, embraced technology, and became fully remote.
June 2021 – Leadership evolves
When
Christa Swain chose to close her own business and join Eden Smith full-time, it marked a shift. Today, she’s a key member of our Executive Leadership Team and plays an influential role in group decision-making.
February 2022 – Proof of Nurture’s impact
One of our Nurture students built a chatbot for National Highways that made national news for saving thousands of pounds. He was introduced to the CEO and offered a job. One story, but one of many that show the real-world impact of what we’re building.
November 2024 – Community, amplified
We’ve always believed in bringing people together. Our first Winter Party tested that belief, cold weather, nerves, and no idea who would turn up. The queues outside said it all. No sales. No pressure. Just connection.
February 2026 – A decade of Eden Smith
Ten years in, this milestone stands among our proudest moments. A decade shaped by resilience, reinvention, relentless learning and extraordinary people. We’ve navigated market shifts, technological leaps and the rapid evolution of AI, delivering complex programmes and helping clients turn ambition into execution.
And we’re only just getting started.
In our full article, we share
how we’re celebrating #ES10, what this milestone means to us, and how our community will be part of the next chapter.
Read the full article here:
https://www.edensmith.group/celebrating-a-decade-of-impact
