--- title: About Potentiam – Offshore Growth & Team Building Experts description: Learn why and how Potentiam was founded to help SMEs scale via offshore teams with strategic guidance, HR, recruitment, marketing and global support. image: https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/potentiam-default-og-image.jpg --- [![logo](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/logo.svg "logo")](https://potentiam.co.uk) - [Solutions](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions) [![Technology icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/Technology%20icon.svg) Technology Scale your team with a dedicated advisor who aligns architecture and performance 
to your goals.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/technology) [![Finance and Accounting icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/Finance%20and%20Accounting%20icon.svg) Finance and Accounting Finance specialists build offshore teams using the right processes and skills to strengthen accounting and deliver results.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/finance-accounting) [![Marketing and Creative](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/Marketing%20and%20Creative.svg) Marketing & Creative Marketing advisors build offshore teams that close capability gaps and integrate seamlessly with local operations.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/marketing-and-design) [![Data Analytics icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/Data%20Analytics%20icon.svg) Data Analytics Analytics experts design scalable offshore data teams that deliver actionable insights and business value.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/data-analytics) [![Sales and Customer Success icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/Sales%20and%20Customer%20Success%20icon.svg) Sales & Customer Success Specialists build offshore sales and customer success teams aligned for growth and strong client relationships.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/sales-customer-service-solutions) [![Engineering and Construction icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/Engineering%20and%20Construction%20icon.svg) Energy Consulting Solutions Scale engineering and construction projects with offshore teams that improve control, efficiency, and on-time delivery.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/energy-consulting) - Locations [![menu-icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/menu-icon.svg) Cape Town, South Africa English-speaking teams with seamless UK collaboration](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/south-africa) [![menu-icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/menu-icon.svg) Bengaluru, India Technology and data capability with EU and UK time-zone overlap](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/india) [![menu-icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/menu-icon.svg) Iași, Romania Multilingual EU talent aligned with European markets](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/romania) [![menu-icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/menu-icon.svg) Johannesburg, South Africa English-speaking talent with UK time-zone alignment](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/johannesburg) [![menu-icon](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/Icons/menu-icon.svg) São Paulo, Brazil Latin American talent with US and EU time-zone overlap](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/brazil) - [Careers](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/careers) - [About](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/about-us) - Resources [![Blog](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Blog.svg) Blogs Explore strategies and insights on building high-performing offshore teams, scaling global operations, and unlocking performance growth.](https://blog.potentiam.co.uk) [![case guides](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/case%20guides.svg) Guides Explore essential offshoring strategies for IT managed service providers with our comprehensive guides tailored for COOs and CEOs.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/guides) [![webinar](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/webinar.svg) Webinars Watch Potentiam’s webinars to discover how offshore teams can accelerate growth, cut costs, and boost performance.](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/webinars) [![case studies](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/case%20studies.svg) Case Studies Explore case studies showcasing how companies in various industries are enhancing efficiency and growth through innovative strategies and specialised services.](https://casestudies.potentiam.co.uk) - [Contact](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/contact-us) - [Book a meeting](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/contact-us) # About us Potentiam helps companies grow 3x faster by building nearshore and offshore teams that operate as a true extension of your business. [Talk to Us](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/contact-us) II Pause background video ![38-DSC03628\_16-9](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/38-DSC03628_16-9.jpg?width=2832&height=1593&name=38-DSC03628_16-9.jpg) #### Where it all started Potentiam was founded by Christopher Lydiard-Wilson and Charles Fenton after successfully scaling EnergyQuote JHA, a global consultancy with over 60% of its 300-person team in Romania and India. Facing the challenge that many growing companies face – how to grow rapidly with limited resources, they discovered the true potential of offshoring, delivering a five-year technology roadmap in just two years. Their success ultimately led to the company's acquisition by Accenture in 2015. ![Offshore employees collaborating in open office space on business project](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/About-us/Proven%20by%20experience%20and%20success.png?width=770&height=460&name=Proven%20by%20experience%20and%20success.png) #### Proven by experience and success After seeing the impact offshore teams firsthand, Christopher and Charles began helping other founders achieve the same. Drawing on deep knowledge of international talent markets and best practices, they launched Potentiam to redefine offshoring as a partnership built on quality, collaboration, and trust. Today, Potentiam continues this mission, helping businesses scale smarter while giving professionals access to meaningful global careers. ### Our People #### Christopher Lydiard-Wilson Founder Director, UK Christopher is a founder and early offshore adopter who built EnergyQuote JHA into a global energy consultancy serving 400+ corporations, scaling offshore teams to over 200 staff across Romania and India before its sale to Accenture in 2015. He founded Potentiam to make the benefits of high-quality offshoring accessible to SMEs. #### Charles Fenton Founder Director, UK Charles was co-founder of the international consultancy, EnergyQuote JHA and an early advocate of offshoring as a scalable platform. Following the company's acquisition by Accenture in 2015, he led the European energy practice, building a multilingual support team in Romania. He holds a BA in History from London University. #### Shafeequr Rahman Founder Director, Global CIO, India Shafeequr has 20 years of experience managing software development programs, including four years in energy technology at Accenture. He specialises in team recruitment, people management, technical reviews, and delivery control. He holds an MBA in Information Technology. #### James Cadwaladr Senior Relationship Director, UK James joined Potentiam as Client Services Director in 2023, bringing 20 years of experience in global human capital strategy. A founder himself, he built and scaled a consultancy delivering recruitment process outsourcing to fast-growing PE and VC backed organisations.​ At Potentiam, he helps clients identify and implement optimal offshore scaling strategies. #### Stuart McMillan Relationship Director, UK Stuart brings more than 20 years of experience in HR consulting, talent solutions and SaaS-enabled services across the UK and EMEA markets. Having worked closely with CHROs, HRDs and C-suite leaders, he has built a strong track record of delivering consultative, people-led solutions that drive growth and long-term client value. #### Brendan O'Shea Finance Director, South Africa Brendan is an experienced financial professional with a strong track record in entrepreneurial, medium-sized businesses. He is a strategic and commercially minded finance leader, qualified as a CA (SA), with a proven ability to strengthen financial foundations and support sustainable growth. #### Chantal Endemann Global Head of HR & Country Manager, South Africa Chantal is a Global HR Manager with 25 years’ experience in technology, retail, and hospitality, managing multi-location operations.  She advises senior management on strategic and operational HR, including talent management, career development, organisational design, and scalability. #### Raluca Patrascu Head of HR & Country Manager, Romania Raluca has over 15 years of HR experience, specialising in strategic planning, talent acquisition, and employee relations. She drives organisational change, improves workplace culture, and supports employees' professional growth while fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. She holds a degree in Pharmacy. #### Andreia Girardini Head of HR & Country Manager, Brazil Andreia has over a decade of senior HR leadership experience in global, high-growth organisations, specialising in people strategies, organisational design, talent acquisition, leadership development, HR operations, employee experience and labour relations, driving business growth, transformation and high-performing teams.  #### Anine Pretorius Head of Talent Acquisition, South Africa Anine has over a decade of experience in HR and recruitment across local and international industries, including call centres, retail, and FMCG. She is passionate about helping SMEs accelerate growth by finding the right candidate for every role and building strong, cohesive teams. She holds an Honours degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. #### Gabriel Lichentanu Head of Talent Acquisition, Romania Gabriel has vast experience managing BPO teams, with expertise in recruitment, talent management, and service desk operations. He has led talent acquisition initiatives, collaborated with senior management, and developed employer branding strategies, with experience across service delivery, incident management, and technical support, demonstrating his versatility and leadership. #### Saranya Gopalakrishnan Head of Talent Acquisition, India Saranya is an HR Business Partner with over 12 years' experience across the UK, Europe, US, Australia and India. She specialises in strategic HR, global talent acquisition, and the full employee lifecycle, building people-centred processes that drive growth. A trusted advisor, she brings a practical approach to solving people challenges and shaping HR strategies that strengthen culture, engagement, and performance. #### Robert Matthews Senior Human Resource Business Partner, South Africa Robert is a strategic HR partner with over 25 years of experience driving people strategies that support organisational growth and transformation. His expertise spans leadership coaching, negotiation, conflict resolution, talent management, compliance, training and development, risk assessment and employment equity. #### Marina Irimia Senior Human Resource Business Partner, Romania Marina is an experienced HR professional who partners with senior leaders to shape and deliver organisational vision. She specialises in building high-performing workplaces through leadership development, recruitment, employee engagement, coaching and effective people and operational processes that drive organisational success. #### Teja Raut Senior Human Resource Business Partner, India Teja is a qualified MBA and M.Com graduate with strong experience in HR business partnering within global organisations. She specialises in aligning people strategies with business objectives, supporting organisational growth, workforce planning, performance management and stakeholder engagement, driving effective HR partnership and business outcomes.  #### Yola Ferreira Human Resource Business Partner, South Africa Yola is an accomplished HR professional with over 25 years of experience across all HR disciplines. She specialises in strategic HR management, talent management and HR data analytics, and is a trusted partner in achieving excellence in people and performance. #### Adriana Cocieru Human Resource Business Partner, Romania Adriana is an HR Business Partner with extensive experience across finance, education and manufacturing. She specialises in talent management, employee lifecycle, performance evaluation and HR policy development, aligning people strategies with business goals to drive employee engagement and organisational success. #### Laurika Du Preez Global Account Manager, South Africa Laurika has extensive experience leading operations, people and business development while providing high-value service through strong client relationships and operational excellence. Commercially astute, with a background in the contractual labour and soft services industry, she drives customer advocacy and fosters positive stakeholder engagement. She holds an Honours degree in Psychology. #### Caryn Rundle Global Account Manager, South Africa Caryn has extensive experience in client services, customer success, and SaaS implementation, with a proven track record of solving complex challenges, building long-term client partnerships, and driving retention and growth. She is focused on delivering real client outcomes through advocacy, transparency, and earning trust. #### Sharon Pillay Global Account Manager, South Africa Sharon brings extensive experience across business development and account management within the offshoring industry, with a strong track record of driving growth, building strategic partnerships and delivering workforce solutions. She is focused on understanding client needs, building trusted relationships and creating long-term value through practical, people-focused solutions.  ### Why businesses partner with Potentiam ![social\_leaderboard](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/social_leaderboard.svg) ![](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/social_leaderboard.svg) ##### Built from experience A proven playbook that powered 3x growth at the founders’ previous company and now powers our clients’ teams. ![cheer](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/cheer.svg) ![](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/cheer.svg) ##### Outcome first We measure success by your outcomes with clear targets, reporting, and accountability. ![group\_add](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/group_add.svg) ![](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/group_add.svg) ##### Human led, high control Embedded teams operate to your standards with dedicated management and high levels of support. ![add\_chart](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/add_chart.svg) ![](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/add_chart.svg) ##### Embedded HRBP and infrastructure Local HR business partners and in-house offices speed integration, reduce attrition, and sustain performance. ![hub](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/hub.svg) ![](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/hub.svg) ##### Multi hub, one team Integrated hubs in South Africa, Romania, India, and Brazil for talent quality, time zone alignment, and frictionless scaling. ![finance\_mode](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/finance_mode.svg) ![](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/finance_mode.svg) ##### Strategic, not transactional Not a platform, not a BPO, not a recruiter. A strategic approach to offshoring for up to 3x growth. ![approval\_delegation](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/approval_delegation.svg) ![](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/Images/About-us/approval_delegation.svg) ##### Transparent and compliant Transparent pricing and right sized compliance. ### Ready to drive 3x growth? Discover how high-performing nearshore and offshore teams can unlock greater value for your business. [Talk to Us](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/contact-us) [![footer-logo](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/hubfs/footer-logo.svg)](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/) We strategically build offshore teams that integrate seamlessly into your business. ##### Solutions - [Technology](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/technology) - [Finance & Accounting](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/finance-accounting) - [Marketing & Design](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/marketing-and-design) - [Data Analytics](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/data-analytics) - [Sales & Customer Success](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/sales-customer-service-solutions) - [Energy Consulting](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/solutions/energy-consulting) ##### Locations - [Cape Town](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/south-africa) - [Johannesburg](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/johannesburg) - [Bangalore](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/india) - [Iași](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/romania) - [São Paulo](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/locations/brazil) ##### Quick links - [About us](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/careers) - [Contact us](https://www.potentiam.co.uk/contact-us) © 2026 Potentiam. 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