Case Study - Executive Search

Ardea successfully recruited senior managers from outside the sector to manage the expansion of the client's European business.

The situation

An innovative premium 'mansion residence' elderly care provider, had begun a substantial roll-out in the UK. To lead this they needed to recruit effective, commercially and financially aware senior managers. They had been disappointed by the calibre of operational management available from competitors but were unsure how to tap an alternative source.

The Ardea solution

As a first step Ardea identified what managerial excellence meant to the client. For them managerial excellence is about delivering outstanding service, a sophisticated understanding of team management, a demeanour that is always actively ‘selling’ the organisation and an ability to work without micro direction.

We worked to identify the sectors and the companies where these qualities existed. Multi site retail, hospitality and leisure all provided a close match. Here standards are set by demanding customers and tight operating margins. Managers work to challenging targets in environments where a robust personality and a pro-active problem solving skill set are at a premium. Such managers are ideal material for the client.

Two methods of reaching these managers were used. Candid advertising emphasised the intangible rewards of creating an outstanding quality of life for the elderly. Direct approaches to networked connections allowed us to approached talented managers directly and sell the challenge, the opportunity and then the company.

The result

A truly talented management cohort was created. Exxon Mobil, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Disney, Legoland, Debenhams and Starbucks all proved to be rich sources of the people required. Their competence became a new, and sought after, benchmark for the sector. The roll-out of 24 new sites proceded at a pace and with a success rate that could not have been achieved otherwise.