McLean was invited to pitch to the trustees of a leading UK awarding body in a competitive process to manage the recruitment of a new CEO ahead of the incumbent’s retirement. Following our successful appointment, we conducted a series of stakeholder meetings with senior staff and trustees to gain a deep understanding of the organisation, its vision, and strategic business plan. We then advised on a tailored identification strategy that explored three candidate pools:
- Leaders from closely aligned competitors (awarding bodies and training providers)
- Executives with strong knowledge of the organisation’s industry vertical
- Exceptional leaders from outside the sector, bringing fresh perspectives but united by a passion for skills and training, and proven experience running organisations with turnover up to £20m
Through a rigorous process, including assessments, McLean managed a week-long programme of interviews and stakeholder sessions that culminated in a successful appointment. We then went on to support the chosen candidate through their resignation and onboarding, ensuring a smooth transition. Post-appointment, we partnered with the new CEO to recruit two key executives, strengthening the senior leadership team and positioning the organisation for continued success.
