Non-Executive Search

COREcruitment is an international recruitment company with offices in the UK, North America, the Netherlands, France and South Africa and sub-divisions covering the Middle East, the Far East and Oceania. 

As well as having a team of over 50 specialist recruiters, we also have an “Exec” recruitment team looking after C-suite roles, specialist positions and NED/Chair positions.

Our executive search team offers a specialist non-executive search, utilising a pre-screened pool of experienced NED’s as well as active search and networking with industry leaders who may be looking to broaden their remit. 

Within the NED space, we annually make about 30 hires; these are mostly with private equity backed businesses, growing companies and businesses looking to diversify. 

We nurture a pool of talent at this level made up of experienced hands and developing professionals, often placing first time NEDs. This group is specifically weighted to ensure it is representative of the UK workforce, including a genuinely diverse variety of people. 

NON-EXECUTIVE CANDIDATES – ACTIVE NETWORK 

We have over 300 executives, founders and specialists in our immediate network who have expressed interest in NED positions. Many of these candidates are actively looking or have had a recent active search for a non-executive position. Additionally, many people in this network are pre-screened and are well established contacts.

NON-EXECUTIVE SEARCH APPROACH 

Although we feel we have a fantastic network of relevant candidates, we do always look to explore new talent, especially when tailoring suggested candidates to a specific search brief. 

• We look across our internal teams to connect with executives with a relevant skill set who may not have explored or considered non-executive opportunities 
• We utilise our extensive data base (over 500k) to connect with recently active executives to explore the option of additional NED work
• We analyse the current business, their future plans, and their initial brief to understand which candidates might be best suited to the organisation as a NED. We explore these options with the hiring team and utilise these conversations to proactively reach out to skilled individuals.
• As NED’s often encounter the issue of non competes, we map the market for executives who have prior experience with competitor business, to be able to utilise their insights without the challenge of conflict of interests
• We utilise out data base, social media, networking events and referral program to connect with specialists and executives who we are not working with. 

NON-EXECUTIVE – SEARCH STYLE

We support business with their non-executive search at all stages of the process. This however means we approach it slightly different depending on the lead time: 

Active Searches with clear time frames

• Working with a clear brief of required experience and skills 
• Utilise active NED’s, active executives, and proactive search techniques to generate long and short lists for reviewal by, and discussion with the hiring team 
• We will suggest a structured interview process and continue to generate short lists until a final selection of candidates is made, at which point we advise on final stage conversations

Active and upcoming searches with an open time frame

• Working with a business to provide ongoing suggestions for an upcoming or active but non urgent NED hire
• This will centre around networking and recommendations and will be flexible to match the time commitments of the key decision maker, reviewing relevant suggestions as and when the business has time 
• Usually this intimate, relaxed approach to finding a NED will take a less formal structure, with meetings beginning over coffee and evolving naturally 

NON-EXECUTIVE – COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND FIT 

As non-executive Director and Chair people can serve significantly varying functions within a business, we tailor our conversations with potential NEDs to ensure we are finding the best fit.

The purpose of the hire may focus on one or several of the following areas:

• Governance 
• Provide insights, advice, and guidance
• Provide independent oversight and contribute to key decisions that will affect stake holders
• Support and credibility when deciding on investment and other funding routes; and communicating with investors 
• Mentoring and executive support
• Specialist focus such as finance, property, M&A, people and D&I, ecommerce, marketing etc
• Facilitate effective and productive conversations and decisions of the board (Chair)
• Provide a public face for the business and set governance standards and direction of the board’s purpose (Chair)

As such we will focus our conversations around identifying skills and experience in the areas where support is required by the business.

NON-EXECUTIVE TRENDS IN THE HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, AND RETAIL SECTOR – 2023

COREcruitment’s executive search team are seeing more demand from SME’s and mid-size business who are looking for mentorship and support in the form of non-executive Directors. These businesses may be at pre investment stage where the founder is looking for both personal guidance and development as well as credibility when approaching funding acquisition. In this case, many founders will be looking for other founders or CEOs who have been on a similar journey previously, who can bring learnings from their past. 

This brief is also quite common once a business has been through investment, where the investor seeks a NED who will not only support their new brand but also insure the investment. In this case they can often focus on larger business insights and experience, which can be helpful for a business on a quick growth journey. 

Additionally, however, we do have businesses at all stages, who will seek NED’s who bring specialist skill sets such as finance, marketing, and property. This style of search utilises the NED function to bring on board expertise that may not be a realistic or feasible full-time hire. This has been a popular tool during periods of financial pressure and is also a great way to add value for business already in possession of extensive funding. Alternatively, businesses thoroughly progressed on the growth journey may be looking for an experienced Chair or NED from a similar or larger business who can guide specific projects or unit a board.