News and Insights

The manufacturing industry is not at the dawn of a bright new digital age; it began decades ago. Globally, we’re seeing manufacturing companies investing in technology and continuing to advance automation to propel the industry forward. We’ve entered an exciting era of manufacturing that’s adopting ground-breaking artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, augmented reality, data analytics and more. According to the 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index, the UK was ranked 6th in the world for manufacturing competitiveness and projected to fall to 8th by 2020. A study by the GMB union found the sector has lost 600,000 jobs in a decade, and … Read More

From pollution and carbon footprint to a potential UK ban on single-use products like drinking straws, media coverage of the plastics industry has had intense of late. Earlier this year, I even read a report on CNN Money that the World Economic Forum was warning that there could be more plastic than fish in terms of weight in the world’s oceans by 2050. Rather than be a warning of the demise of plastics, issues such as these have inspired the best in business to be mindful of new ways to diversify and expand, just like the print industry before them. Our … Read More

Recently, TS Grale worked with a manufacturing company around the movement of their Operations Director to the post of company Managing Director (MD). This project has involved an analysis of executive functions but also extensive succession planning. Even though this planning is so vital to business continuity, it’s surprising how many companies don’t plan as effectively as they should. Preparing a strategy for what is a constant and ongoing challenge, should be fundamental to the pivotal roles within a business. So, where do new MDs come from, and what experience do they have? Do manufacturing leaders generally come from a specialism … Read More

According to recent findings from the Institute of Interim Management’s 2018 annual survey, many industries are benefitting from the use of interim expertise. The 2018 report – which uses data provided by 2,272 interim managers – shows that the private sector accounts for 65% of work, with 31% dedicated to public sector and just 4% to the not-for-profit or charity industry. The research also shows that around 25% of all interim management is already performed at Board level. Available at short notice and with experience and specialist skills not always found in-house, interim leaders can deliver change and improve efficiency quickly. … Read More

At the start of June, I read that frozen-food manufacturer, Aunt Bessie’s, is to be bought in a €240 million agreement. Nomad Foods Ltd– a US-listed investment business – struck a deal with the William Jackson Food Group, a 167-year-old family firm based in Yorkshire. The news came only months after Nomad Foods also acquired the Goodfella’s Pizzabrand (as part of Green Isle Foods) for €225 million from Boparan Holdings. It has been a busy year for Nomad Foods with significant frozen-food portfolio expansion. Blending brands Aunt Bessie’s is a name that many of us are very familiar with in … Read More

Tell us a little about yourself and your background in recruitment? I graduated with a Business Management degree in 2006 and started thinking about my career options. I knew I wanted a career in a fast paced, lively and passionate environment and my friend suggested a graduate assessment day. From this, I was approached by a Graduate recruitment company and effectively, began my career then. Working with graduates was a great way of learning the basics of the job and developing my passion of the recruitment industry. I then moved on to an Executive Search consultancy which enabled me to … Read More

A few weeks ago, I read that Andrew Haines, the former boss of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is to become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Network Rail as of Autumn this year. If you’ll pardon the pun, Haines has a strong track-record having held the position of managing director of South West Trains as well as managing director of the rail division for  First Group. Overshadowing the announcement, however, was the simultaneous report that Haines would be paid a not-insubstantial 27% lower than his predecessor Mark Carne (£588,000 a year inclusive of benefits, down from a pay … Read More

When the time comes for a Chief Executive to step down, the energy spent on succession planning and the money and effort taken to find the right heir should hopefully result in an apt appointment. Yet, according to plenty of research online, the statistics suggest there’s a 40 – 60% likelihood of an executive leaving an organisation within the first 18 months. Other researchers suggest it’s the first 100 days that are critical and will dictate whether a senior leader will commit to a role. I know from experience working in the field of executive search, a succession of senior … Read More