Client Overview

Ampyr Solar Europe (ASE) is one of the top independent solar developers in Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. The company operates across the entire project lifecycle, from land acquisition and development to financing, construction, asset management, and power sales.

As ASE continues to expand its footprint in multiple European markets, it is shaping the future of renewable energy in Northwest Europe by combining operational excellence with ambitious growth targets.

The Challenge

In early 2023, ASE faced a critical talent challenge. The European solar sector was experiencing unprecedented growth, leading to an acute shortage of specialised technical and leadership talent. The company needed to scale teams quickly to meet aggressive project timelines and investor expectations.

At the same time, ASE’s start-up nature created a perception of risk for potential candidates. Many highly qualified professionals were hesitant to join a rapidly scaling business without a well-established track record.

The organisation required a solution that would:

1. Identify and secure niche technical and leadership talent across Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.

2. Convince high-calibre candidates that ASE offered not only stability but significant career growth opportunities.

3. Position ASE as a credible, mission-driven employer in a highly competitive market.

Our Task

Impel Talent was engaged to deliver a comprehensive talent strategy that addressed these challenges. Our objectives included:

• Identifying and securing top-tier candidates for leadership and specialist roles.

• Designing innovative sourcing strategies to access scarce and hard-to-reach talent pools.

• Enhancing ASE’s employer brand to attract mission-aligned professionals who could thrive in a high-growth environment.

• Supporting ASE throughout the hiring process, from initial engagement through offer management, to ensure swift and confident decision-making.

Our Solution

To meet these objectives, we developed a highly collaborative approach, embedding ourselves as a trusted partner to ASE’s COO and Head of HR to gain deep insight into the company’s culture, growth plans, and role requirements. Our strategy focused on three pillars:

1. Targeted Talent Acquisition

   • Leveraged sector-specific networks and headhunting techniques to identify hard-to-reach professionals.

   • Conducted in-depth mapping to ensure we reached the most qualified candidates for each role.

2. Employer Brand Positioning

   • Crafted tailored messaging to present ASE as a high-growth, innovative, and purpose-driven employer.

   • Addressed candidate concerns about start-up risk by highlighting growth potential, leadership vision, and project impact.

3. End-to-End Hiring Partnership

   • Supported ASE at every stage of the hiring process, from candidate engagement to offer negotiation.

   • Maintained transparency, speed, and alignment to enable confident hiring decisions.

Key placements included:

• Construction Project Manager

• Contracts Manager

• Head of PMO

• Head of Compliance & ESG

• Head of Land Acquisition

• Multiple Project Developers across Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK

The Impact

Our collaboration enabled ASE to successfully fill critical specialist and leadership positions across three European markets despite intense competition for talent. The outcomes included:

• Rapid team scaling: Operations were strengthened in line with project timelines.

• Enhanced leadership capability: Key functions now had experienced professionals driving results.

• Strategic growth: ASE progressed toward its ambition of becoming the leading solar independent power producer (IPP) in Northwest Europe.

Beyond individual hires, ASE gained a repeatable talent strategy for future expansion, enabling the company to continue attracting high-calibre professionals in a competitive sector.

Our Expertise in Action

At Impel Talent, we specialise in supporting high-growth renewable energy companies to secure scarce skills and build sustainable talent pipelines. Our approach combines:

• Targeted talent mapping to identify top candidates before competitors do.

• Creative sourcing strategies to reach professionals in niche sectors.

• Employer brand development to position clients as attractive, credible, and mission-driven employers.

By embedding ourselves in our clients’ teams, we deliver more than hires, we deliver long-term strategies that underpin sustainable business growth and operational excellence.