The Challenge
In the past, North Tyneside Council might have been overshadowed by its higher-profile neighbours.
But new Chief Executive Andrew Kerr is turning that around, with a transformation programme for the Council’s services and structures – backed by £1Bn investment, and a new, upbeat attitude that flows from the Council through the whole community.
The executive search challenge was to recruit a significant number of the management team, and tempt some top notch candidates to come to an authority which might not have been on their radar screen.
Our Solution
We put in a lot of time at the beginning, something clients often comment on about Veredus.
We were working with the authority through a major restructure, supporting recruitment of eight posts initially - of which five were completely new, and several in notoriously competitive recruitment markets.
So it was crucial that we communicated excitement and intent – and we provided a comprehensive briefing for candidates based on a positive, coherent corporate narrative.
Our search was comprehensive, and included advertorial, ‘teaser’ ads, a bespoke microsite, and PR support.
Our team of three lead consultants, four support consultants and three researchers developed a close working relationship with the client team at North Tyneside.
The Result
Six appointments were made in the first round, but it was a tough assignment - and we filled the remaining two posts after a second process.
Good teamwork with the client was the key, and we were delighted to be described as “good to work with… a company which stuck with it” by the North Tyneside team.
For our part, we enjoyed working with clients so clearly serious about delivering a real difference for local people – and we were particularly pleased to be invited back to support the recruitment of another two permanent posts, and to place two senior interim managers too.