FIELD

Executive Search

OFFICE

Boston

THE ROLE

A former government body that had moved into the private sector needed a new chief financial officer. They had used another search firm and failed to find one. We were well known by the new senior team at the client. They trusted us to do what was a difficult assignment.

WHAT WAS NEEDED

The salary was less than the market rate so candidates had to be attracted by the mission of the business more than the compensation.

THE SOLUTION

The previous firm had suggested casting the net wide. We suggested a rifle shot approach and this was the key to solving the problem. We spent time working out what the successful candidate might look like by understanding the ethics of the business and who it would appeal to.

Regulatory approval was then needed but the appointment was made. We were awarded the Head of Strategy assignment subsequently.

THE ROLE

A leading retailer asked us to source a digital director. They chose us because we understood the language of retail and the key issues in a way that other headhunters did not.

The client thought our pitch document was insightful, imaginative and persuasive. It brought new ideas to the table and was not just a list of previous assignments done.

WHAT WAS NEEDED

We provided creative ideas on whom to approach that were not just pulled out of the database. We knew the up and coming people as well as the established names. The client commented that he felt we enjoyed the assignment.

THE SOLUTION

A clear front runner emerged so the task was to keep the candidate motivated and to remind the client to be in touch with that candidate at every stage.

The successful candidate started the new role four months after the start of the search.

THE ROLE

Our client, an engineering and machinery business, is the European market leader in its sector. The Board wanted to add a non executive director. It wanted expertise on how to manage businesses across several European countries and business cultures.

WHAT WAS NEEDED

Location was flexible and candidates did not need prior main board or non executive director experience. The client’s preference was for a chief executive, business unit head or commercial director from another service company, but we persuaded them to look at functional heads in supply chain, procurement and IT as well.

THE SOLUTION

The successful candidate was a female German national living in Munich. She was in a supply chain and procurement leadership role at a DAX company, one of the largest engineering groups in Europe. It was her first UK board and non executive role.