Paul Fleming, Author at TS Grale Executive Search

A three stage chart of the ninety day curve for an interim appointment: 0 to 30 days stabilise, 30 to 60 days traction, 90 days and beyond measurable improvement.

Most manufacturers appoint an interim later than they should

16th September 2026

By the time most manufacturers pick up the phone about an interim, they have already had two quarters of knowing something was not right. That is not a criticism. It is what happens when everyone…

Your biggest competitor for talent is your candidate’s current employer

19th August 2026

Appointing a senior leader is harder than it was a few years ago. Not because the talent has gone. Because good people are staying where they are, and their current employer is doing everything it…

Boardroom of a business appointing a new CFO under pressure

The CFO we placed to be a partner, not an accountant

3rd July 2026

When a business is under pressure, it is easy to focus on the wrong things when appointing a CFO. People often reach for the safest CV. The biggest names, the strongest qualifications, the most years…

When the brief is wrong, the hire fails before they start

20th June 2026

Most MD searches I am running at the moment are not really searches for an MD. They are searches for a leader who can drive a change the business has been avoiding for years. The…

You Can’t Control What’s Happening Out There. You Can Control This

22nd May 2026

UK manufacturers are being squeezed from every direction. The businesses that come through it won’t be the luckiest. They’ll be the best led Let’s not dress it up. It is hard out there right now.…

Navigating Change with Confidence: Leveraging Interim Management to Solve Critical Challenges

5th May 2026

In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, periods of change and transition can be overwhelming. Whether it’s turning around a loss-making business, managing large-scale operational changes, or implementing new systems, these moments often determine a company’s…

If the UK Had to Defend Itself Tomorrow, Could We Build What We Need?

31st March 2026

A question posed to me recently stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t rhetorical. And I don’t think anyone has a comfortable answer. I was in conversation with a senior leader in UK defence manufacturing…

Why “Proven Experience” Is Killing Your Next Executive Hire

11th February 2026

In UK manufacturing, leadership pressure is no longer episodic.It’s constant. Margins are tighter. Cost inflation hasn’t fully unwound. Supply chains remain fragile. Labour is harder to find and harder to keep. Most leadership teams are…

From Candidate To Chair Spencer Johnston’s Journey with TS Grale

3rd July 2025

We are excited to announce the appointment of Spencer Johnston as Non-Executive Chair of TS Grale, marking a significant milestone in our journey of growth and ambition.Spencer’s relationship with TS Grale began not as a…

Selecting the Right Interim Manager: Key Qualities and Skills for Success in Manufacturing

14th November 2024

Introduction: Why Selecting the Right Interim Manager is Crucial Choosing an interim manager is a strategic decision that can significantly impact a business’s trajectory, especially in manufacturing. The right interim leader not only addresses immediate…