Portsmouth-founded recruitment firm celebrates 20 years of powering the energy sector
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Specialist recruitment business Astute People celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday 1 August, bringing together employees and their families at Queen Elizabeth Country Park for its annual Family Fun Day to mark two decades of growth.
From a single Portsmouth office to a global recruitment business
Founded in Portsmouth in 2006 as Astute Technical Recruitment, the business has grown from a single office in North End into an international recruitment company supporting employers across the power generation, renewable energy, nuclear and wider infrastructure sectors.
After relocating to Lakeside North Harbour, where it remains headquartered today, the company has expanded its reach well beyond the South Coast. Astute now partners with organisations in more than 30 countries and, following the launch of Astute People Inc. in 2023, also operates from North Carolina to support the North American energy market.
Two decades of placements and growth
Over the past 20 years, Astute has completed more than 10,000 specialist placements and built a network of more than 500,000 engineering and technical professionals, helping organisations deliver critical infrastructure projects that keep homes powered, industries operating and support the UK’s transition to a lower-carbon energy system.
The anniversary marks another milestone in the company’s evolution, following its rebrand from Astute Technical Recruitment to Astute People in 2023, reflecting its broader international reach and expanding range of recruitment solutions.
Still rooted in Portsmouth
Despite its international growth, the company remains firmly rooted in Portsmouth, where many of its employees live and work. Astute continues to invest in local talent, creating careers in recruitment, marketing, technology, finance and business support.
“People first” — Terry Buckel on 20 years of Astute
Terry Buckel, Founder and CEO of Astute People, said, “When I founded Astute 20 years ago, the ambition was simple: to build a recruitment business that genuinely understood the industries it served and always put people first. We’ve been fortunate to work with incredible clients, candidates and colleagues over the past two decades, many of whom have been part of our journey for years.
“While we’ve grown internationally, Portsmouth has always been our home. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here and grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this milestone. The energy industry is changing rapidly, and we’re excited to continue supporting the organisations and people shaping its future.”
A 19-year journey from Trainee to Managing Director
One employee who has witnessed almost the entire journey is Managing Director Matt Dickens, who joined the business as a Trainee in 2007 and has progressed through the organisation over the past 19 years to lead the company.
Matt said, “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to grow my career alongside the business. What started as a small specialist recruiter in Portsmouth has become an internationally recognised partner for the energy sector, but the culture hasn’t changed.
“We’ve always believed in building long-term relationships, looking after our people and delivering the best possible service for our clients and candidates.
“Reaching 20 years is something everyone at Astute should be proud of, and it’s exciting to think about what the next 20 years will bring.”
Looking ahead to the next 20 years
As demand for specialist engineering talent continues to grow across renewable energy, nuclear, power generation, data centres and other critical infrastructure sectors, Astute People remains focused on connecting skilled professionals with the organisations delivering tomorrow’s energy projects.
The company’s 20th anniversary celebrations brought together colleagues and their families for a day of activities at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, recognising not only the business’s success but also the people who have contributed to it over the past two decades.