Rania & Nicola’s 15-Year Partnership Flourishes at Cammach

Discover how their extensive experience and teamwork are shaping the future of Cammach’s Drilling & Wells division

We are excited to shine a spotlight on two of our team members, Rania Wanis and Nicola Allan, who are backbone of our Drilling & Wells recruitment division. Rania, our Team Lead, joined Cammach in late 2021 and brought with her a wealth of experience and expertise. Nicola, our Senior Recruitment Specialist, came on board in May 2023, reuniting with Rania after many years of successful collaboration in previous roles. Together, Rania and Nicola have forged an outstanding partnership that has fuelled numerous successes for Cammach, so please join us as we delve into their remarkable career journey, celebrate their shared milestones, and discover their aspirations for the future at Cammach.

P.S. Don’t miss the throwback photo of Rania and Nicola from 10 years ago — read all the way to the end!

Career Beginnings & Milestones

What initially drew you both to the field of recruitment?

"Working in recruitment is a rewarding career choice," Rania began. "I joined the recruitment field shortly after completing my MSc degree at Robert Gordon University in 2008. I found it to be a varied, active, and challenging role. Additionally, I liked the idea of working with people and having that interaction as an adviser."

Nicola added, "I actually fell into recruitment by chance. When visiting several recruitment agencies in Aberdeen to register and look for alternative work, I was offered a Recruitment Administrator role (initially) with one of the agencies I registered with... and the rest is history!"

How did you first start working together, and what were your initial impressions and memorable moments from those early years?

"I found Nic to be very approachable, hardworking, and happy to share her knowledge and experience," Rania reflected. "There are countless memorable moments – over the years, we have supported each other on both professional and personal levels."

Nicola continued, "I was working at Avanteq as a Recruiter, and Rania started in her role as Recruitment Administrator. First impressions were that she was lovely, intelligent, and excellent at her job, with a calm approach to her work. There have been too many memorable moments to mention over the years, both on a work and personal level."

What are some key achievements or milestones you've reached together in your careers?

"Over the years, we've naturally built up expertise in Drilling & Wells - we've forged a strong professional bond and a vast network of valuable contacts.” Rania said. "When our previous employer announced its closure, we received many overwhelming calls and messages from our existing clients asking to maintain contact and inform them of our next venture to ensure that we engage with them once again."

Nicola agreed, "Yes, when we worked together at Avanteq, we were very successful in building up our working contractors to a high level, especially with a major operator client overseas. We've also built excellent and long-term relationships with both our clients and candidates over the years, many of which still exist to this day in our current roles with Cammach."

How have you seen the recruitment industry change over the past 15 years?

"The recruitment industry remains a challenging and competitive environment. It’s continuously evolving with market trends and adaptations," Rania explained. "We've seen the rise of automation, online job portals, and business and social media platforms, which now all play a vital role in reaching a broader talent pool. There's been an expansion of the talent pool beyond geographical boundaries and a rise in remote work, flexible, and agile working."

Nicola noted, "The oil and gas recruitment industry, especially within Drilling & Wells, has had its ups and downs over the last 15 years. However, we’ve always managed to get through these challenging periods by working very closely with a team approach. The industry is definitely more challenging now than it was 15 years ago. Candidate-wise, it is a tighter market, especially since the pandemic; candidates do not tend to move around as much. It's also more competitive, with many clients using an MSP as their first stop for recruiting before going to their PSL agencies. The IR35 changes in 2020/2021, with many clients changing from Limited Company contracts to PAYE contracts, have also made a difference for candidate attraction in some discipline areas. Many choose to work PSC only or have now decided to work overseas, where local tax incentives are more attractive."

Roles & Responsibilities at Cammach

What are your current roles and responsibilities at Cammach within the Drilling & Wells team?

"I am responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the Drilling & Wells recruitment team, alongside delivering Drilling & Wells recruitment and business growth," Rania started. "I also handle account management and the development of the client portfolio for the Drilling & Wells Team. I'm a focal point for various clients, ensuring all opportunities for increasing sales and building relationships are explored."

Nicola added, "And I manage the entire placement process from start to finish, identifying technical personnel within drilling/wells and subsurface. This includes reviewing and evaluating incoming applications, identifying suitable candidates using the internal recruitment database and various external industry-related websites, negotiating offers, and candidate onboarding. I also manage existing client accounts, with regular contact and meetings to maintain working relationships, and actively develop the Drilling/Wells client portfolio by contacting new (or previously lapsed) clients."

What excites you most about working in the Drilling & Wells team at Cammach?

"In May 2023, we were delighted to launch Cammach’s dedicated Drilling & Wells division," Rania shared. "The Dream team (as many of our clients call Nicola & I), is back together working with Hiring Managers and candidates that we have worked with for the last 15 years, as well as new clients. A year down the line from launching, we are thrilled to see it growing day by day.”

"I agree," Nicola added. "Working with a colleague like Rania, whom I know will work as a team, and not just individually, is very exciting. It's also great to work with clients and candidates that we have known for many years – some of whom we have built friendships with."

How do you approach recruitment differently now compared to when you first started?

"When I first started recruitment in 2008, my approach was tentative and reactive.” Rania stated. “Now, I tackle Drilling & Wells recruitment with a blend of confidence and calm, and with a heightened sense of determination and strategic focus.”

Nicola elaborated, "Having built up our knowledge of Drilling & Wells (clients, roles, and candidates) over the years, we are far more assured in our roles and approach than at the beginning of our careers. We're also more aware of the challenges that can often be faced within Drilling & Wells recruitment."

Staying Motivated & Looking Ahead

How do you stay motivated and passionate about your work after 15 years?

"As they say, 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.' I love being a recruiter, working with an amazing supportive team," Rania reflected. "Of course, it’s challenging at times, but what makes it easier is the Cammach team."

Nicola agreed, "Working within a company where the team shares the same strong work ethic, drive, and support for one another helps keep my motivation and the team's morale high."

What are your goals for the future, both individually and as a team?

"Continue to promote and develop Cammach’s brand in the Drilling & Wells market both in the UK and overseas," Rania said. "Maintain and strengthen our relationship with existing clients. Expand our professional network with both clients and candidates, and overarching business goals."

Nicola added, "To continue to build on Cammach’s Drilling & Wells division, not just in the UK, but internationally too. Expanding and building on our Drilling/Wells and Subsurface candidate pool on our database, enabling us to reach out to larger and quality talent pools promptly and efficiently. To consistently increase our contractor numbers to a higher level."

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the recruitment industry today?

"Recruitment is fast-paced, exciting, and challenging," Rania explained. "A recruitment career will provide a wide range of skills and experiences that will help you grow professionally. And it always helps that it offers lucrative earning potential."

Nicola concluded, "Consider choosing a niche discipline area within recruitment so that you can focus, learn, and expand your skills and knowledge within that area over the years. This means you can also build long-lasting relationships with your clients and candidates. Be authentic and genuine in your approach with candidates and clients, enabling trust to build. Be willing to put in the hard work, and the results will speak for themselves."