Choosing an Executive Search partner can be difficult: there are few barriers to entry in the industry and plenty of businesses to choose from.
Rowan Executive Search is widely known as the North’s leading Search provider for the SME, so what is it we do that makes us stand out from the crowd?
1. An unwavering commitment to the SME owner
When we say we’re SME specialists, we mean it! Whether it’s owner-managed or PE-backed, all of our assignments support SME owners at the upper echelons of their businesses. From senior management through to Board and Non-Exec appointments, we’ve developed our considerable expertise in this area by committing to this specialism. From a search perspective, it’s all we do – and we do it well!
2. Our ‘Leadership Dynamics’ service
Our proprietary Leadership Dynamics software allows us to objectively analyse, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of an SME’s senior leadership team, by benchmarking it against successful peers on a wide range of criteria. We then work with the SME owner to implement any recommended changes and drive value creation.
The software itself has gone through extensive development with some of the leading minds in the industry and in data analytics, and has a proven track record of success. This ability to offer objective, data-led insight of senior leadership teams really sets us aside from our peers.
Our dedicated Leadership Dynamics team is headed up by Johnathan Massey (pictured), who can be contacted here.
3. Values-based internal recruitment
Atypical in the industry; we don’t necessarily require Search experience to welcome a new ‘Rowanite’ to our team. As long as you can demonstrate our five core values of:
- Authenticity
- Commitment
- Collaboration
- Progressiveness
- Rigour
…and show an aptitude for the job, you might just be the next successful team member.
We have a specific, tried-and-tested way of working, which embodies all of these values, and we know that if we find the right people we can teach them the mechanics of the job and make them a success. We believe non-industry hires can bring fresh perspectives to the business too, as well as specific industry knowledge. For example, Lexi Graty has made an incredible start to her Rowan career, and her retail expertise, derived from her time spent in that industry, has proved invaluable to her clients.
A team is only as strong as its weakest link, and through rigorous adherence to values-based recruitment, we don’t have any! The entire team is passionate about SME growth, client satisfaction and treating candidates in the right way.
If this has piqued your interest in joining Rowan, take a look here.
4. Event-led Search and Assessment driven by ‘People-powered Growth’
When we work with our clients to appoint leaders and future leaders, we’re always looking ahead to a potential business event. Sometimes, we’ll suggest solutions that our clients might not have even considered, but which will help them to achieve their business ambitions.
Whether it’s an exit, investment, MBO, international expansion or step-change growth, we tailor our approach and match candidates that share this ambition, and have the experience and expertise to drive the SME towards it.
5. An unrivalled private equity network
A significant proportion of the work we do is with private equity-backed SMEs. We have a deep understanding of what ‘PE quality’ looks like, and rigorously assess candidates against these high standards. It also means that we can foster introductions between SME owners and the right PE houses for them and their ambitions.
We have worked with most of the North’s leading PE houses extensively, and are highly regarded in this world.
6. Best-in-class candidate care and assessment
Our rigorous, trademarked EPT® (Evaluate. Test. Perform.) assessment process ensures that any candidates we put forward for a position are good matches, in terms of both experience, cultural fit and behavioural tendencies.
Built into this process is our core principle of ‘going the extra mile’ to provide exemplary candidate care. If a candidate isn’t right for a position, or isn’t asked for an interview by a client, we will present this feedback to him or her, objectively, and in a timely fashion.
Likewise, if we are in communication with a candidate whom we can’t help at that time, we will explain this, but also strive to develop a relationship and stay in close contact, ready for when the perfect opportunity does present itself.
We believe in fostering and nurturing strong, long-lasting relationships with candidates throughout their careers, and our longevity at the very top of the SME Executive Search industry is a testament to this.
If you’re an SME owner or potential candidate that would like to explore how we can help, please contact us here.
