Wheatsheaf Group

CEO, Operating Company

Wheatsheaf Group, part of Grosvenor Estate, needed to recruit a new CEO for one of the companies in its portfolio. Stuart Evans, Group Finance Director, asked Hanover Fox to run an executive search process.

Stuart explained: “The company we were recruiting for operates in an ‘incestuous industry’ where everyone knows everyone else. We felt that it was really important – for the potential candidates and for the business – that enquiries were made sensitively and in confidence.

“The new CEO would be coming into a previously owner-managed business, with the incumbent still involved. I thought Hanover Fox showed a great understanding of how this might affect the type of person we should select.

“I was really impressed with the long-list. From that, we reviewed around 10 potential candidates, each with a detailed summary from Hanover Fox. We then took five to a first interview and three to the final interview.

“I thought Hanover Fox did an excellent job. They were discrete. They argued on behalf of certain candidates when our shareholders disagreed. I felt they were scrupulous and trustworthy. I didn’t feel they were trying to manoeuvre us (as some recruiters do). I valued their advice and it was interesting to see that they correctly identified the successful candidate very early on.

“Most importantly, two of the final three candidates, including the successful one, were from outside our circles of influence. We would never have made this promising appointment without Hanover Fox.”

Stuart Evans – Wheatsheaf Group