How Sacher.AI Strengthened Its GenAI Delivery in Just 12 Days

by Thomas Savidge, Principal Consultant – AI, Machine Learning and Data Science

Sacher.AI, a UK-based innovation lab focused on behavioural health, needed to scale its GenAI capability to meet growing client demand.

With deadlines approaching and projects in motion, they needed contractors who could deliver from day one, combining deep technical expertise with the confidence to work directly with clients.

They partnered with us to deliver high-trust, high-performance talent who could operate independently and align with the company’s purpose-led culture.

The Brief

• Objective: Place three UK-based GenAI contractors
• Timeline: Immediate delivery, without compromising on quality
• Context: Roles were essential to winning and delivering new client projects
• Requirement: Hands-on experience in GenAI, RAG, LLMs, and the ability to work directly with stakeholders in client-facing environments

The Result

We submitted seven carefully matched CVs. All seven were interviewed. All three placements were made within an average of 12 working days.

The roles:

• Senior Machine Learning Engineer – LLM
  Delivered RAG development, prompting, and fine-tuning for client-facing projects
• GenAI Engineer
  Built and scaled Sacher’s GenAI infrastructure across multiple engagements
• AI Product Owner
  Led agile delivery, internal coordination, and stakeholder management

What Changed

Each contractor contributed immediately; strengthening internal delivery, supporting client pitches, and improving how the team engaged with external partners. Their work has helped Sacher scale delivery across sectors, speed up product development, and increase client confidence at a critical stage of growth.

Sacher’s growth isn’t slowing and neither is ours. Post-placement, we’ve remained actively involved in team engagement and retention through onboarding lunches, quarterly reviews, and forward planning.

3 Lessons for GenAI Hiring Leaders

1. Define the non-negotiables
   Sacher knew they needed more than technical skill. Culture fit, autonomy, and client engagement were just as important. That clarity meant we could focus on what mattered.
2. Prioritise trust and delivery equally
   The roles required production-grade GenAI experience and the ability to represent the business externally. Each candidate had to bring both.
3. Move quickly, but selectively
   Seven CVs. Seven interviews. No wasted time. The shortlist was tailored for fit: technical, commercial, and cultural.

The Bigger Picture

According to Harnham’s internal research, 61% of professionals are already using AI at work, but only 37% of companies have a formal AI policy in place.

This gap creates risk, not just in compliance, but in delivery, hiring, and retention.  

Whether you’re scaling, launching a new capability, or supporting client demand, finding the right contractors can shape the next phase of your growth.

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