News and Insights

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

Tell us about the man outside of the office Originating from the West Midlands, Ashley is a keen golfer and avid Aston Villa fan who is hoping to get his handicap down to single figures this summer whilst watching Villa climb to the dizzy heights of the premiership; in that order of preference!! Ashley claims to be a spiced rum connoisseur and has travelled as far as The Caribbean to experience only the best first hand!!   Give us an insight into the career to date Graduating from University with a degree in Marketing and Advertising Management, Ashley joined the … Read More

by Matthew Lewis, Business Manager at TS Grale On Friday 20 April, some news broke that surprised me and I suspect many sports followers – Arsene Wenger was to step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season. Arsene has been in post for nearly 22 years and for many, Arsene is Arsenal itself. He was the man in charge when the club won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, including the Double in 1998 and 2002. According to the BBC, Wenger was the first manager “since 1888-89 to lead a team through an English top-flight … Read More

From the automotive industry through to sales and marketing, an issue concerning many senior executive leaders right now is staff wellbeing. As a result of governmental policy changes, the rise of digitisation, Brexit, and a host of other factors, the shifting landscape of industry is making for an unsettling yet demanding era. In my view, more than ever, a happy and healthy workforce is vital for business to flourish. Apparently, we are living in a time of the so-called “sandwich generation” – people in their 40s and 50s looking after young children and elderly parents concurrently, while technologically connected to … Read More

Whatever the size of an organisation, the repercussions of poor succession planning can be enormous. It is defined by the CIPD as “the process of identifying and developing potential future leaders or senior managers, as well as individuals to fill other business-critical positions, either in the short- or the long-term.” Avoiding the issue According to a recent article by the Financial Express, succession management is very pertinent right now. As investors get increasingly impatient about RoI, dissatisfaction focussed on leaders has led to the average tenure of CEOs globally reduce from six to 2.5 years – a significant shift. It … Read More