One critical appointment. The right leader.
When the decision is to appoint externally, we find the leadership capability you need.
Scope and timetable agreed at the outset. Unusually narrow, international or confidential assignments may take longer, and we will say so at the brief.
Clear expectations. Rigorous assessment.
We combine detailed market research with direct conversations and structured assessment. You receive a shortlist built around the role, the organisation and the decision you need to make.
Define
Agree the role, accountabilities and the evidence of success. We write the brief with you, and we will tell you if the role as described is unlikely to be filled.
Search and assess
Map the market, typically 80 to 120 relevant people for a UK director-level role, approach them directly and assess against the agreed criteria. First-stage interviews are done by us.
Select and appoint
Support interviews, references, the offer and a considered transition. Weekly reporting throughout, with live access to the search data if you want it.
The people you meet are the people who lead the work.
James Cumming and Carl Hinett remain close to the brief, the candidates and your decision. No handover to a research team you have never met.
“Carl quickly understood the business and an initial shortlist was produced within 3 weeks, with a final group of talented candidates coming through within the next couple of weeks, all this during the July and August holiday season. The talent pool proved to be strong, with the cultural and personality diversity expected. Following a couple of additional rounds we made an offer and are delighted with the individual appointed.”
Chief People Officer, hospitality group
Questions clients ask
Can search follow an advisory project?
Yes. Search can follow an advisory recommendation or be commissioned independently. When it follows advisory work the brief is already written and the internal options have been tested, which usually makes the search faster.
How is the fee set?
Agreed and fixed before work begins, with the scope and terms in writing. Our terms of business set out how fees are calculated and invoiced.
What if the right person is already inside the business?
We say so. Where an internal candidate is in the frame we benchmark them against the external shortlist and report the comparison. On one recent defence assignment the Head of Bids role went to the internal candidate on exactly that basis.
Do you work outside HR?
Yes. HR and People leadership is where we started and where our network is deepest, but recent searches include Commercial Director, Business Development Director, Group Property Director, Head of Strategy, Head of IT and a Divisional Managing Director. See the case studies.
Are you on any public sector frameworks?
re:find is a named supplier on the Crown Commercial Service RM6229 Permanent Recruitment 2 framework, Lot 2. Public sector bodies can engage us through it without a separate tender.
A Head of Strategy for a consumer business in Paris and London
Working with the EMEA Managing Director and Global CEO, we approached more than 100 former management consultants and appointed a strategy manager from a top-tier consulting background, then working for a competing brand.
Read the case study →