Interim Project Managers x 5 – Rail Delivery Group (RDG)
Background Veredus provide interim executive talent across the transport and infrastructure sector, including many of the UK train operating companies, Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group. We recruit exceptional individuals across all functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Health and Safety, Procurement, Projects and Programme Management. The challenge The RDG purpose is to create a simpler, better railway for everyone in Britain. As part of this mission the ‘Rail Reform’ programme required a number of experienced project managers to either be part of, or manage workstreams across: Fares, Ticketing, Stations and Technology. The challenge was to identify interim project managers with the requisite skills in such diverse areas as communications, customer experience and stations. In order to achieve this RDG asked us to provide 5 interim project managers. Our solution: We undertook extensive research across multiple infrastructure, transport, utilities and public sector groups together with engaging with our ‘talent bank’ of existing project managers, to identify available skills and experience for these (initial 6 month) assignments. The search activity generated dozens of potential candidates that we met with to produce a shortlist of 12 for final presentation to the client. All 5 appointments were made and contracts have since been extended. We have also been asked to provide additional resource on an interim basis.
Interim Customer Experience Consultant & Interim Marketing Strategy Consultant – South Western Railway
Background Veredus provide interim executive talent across the transport and infrastructure sector, including many of the UK train operating companies, Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group. We recruit exceptional individuals across all functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Health and Safety, Procurement, Projects and Programme Management. The challenge SWR is a joint venture between First Group and MTR Corporation from Hong Kong. Operating over 1,500 services each weekday across the network, South Western Railway (SWR) employs more than 5,000 employees and provides commuter inter-urban, regional and long-distance services to passengers in South West London and southern counties of England and Island Line services on the Isle of Wight. SWR have been a client of Veredus for many years and required the following two roles on an interim basis. Customer Experience – the role was responsible for developing the Customer information strategy and ensuring a consistent approach to customer information across the business. Defining how, when and what is communicated to customers. This interim was required to deliver a step change in customer information Marketing Strategy – the need was for an experienced consultant to accelerate and transform the marketing function, strategy and plan. The challenge was to identify two available interim managers with significant functional expertise, together with skills and experience to manage change and engage with multiple stakeholders. Our solution: In both instances we undertook searches for experienced interims both inside the rail and related sectors. We also searched other sectors where customer experience and consumer marketing is a key part of the organisation’s drive. In addition, we integrated a talent bank of interims that we have worked with in the past, to both source talent and recommend other interims we should speak with. Shortlists were presented for both roles and two appointments were made. One candidate joined with a rail sector background and the other joined from a retail sector career.
Interim head of Procurement & Interim head of Facilities – GTR
Background Veredus provide interim executive talent across the transport and infrastructure sector, including many of the UK train operating companies, Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group. We recruit exceptional individuals across all functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Health and Safety, Procurement, Projects and Programme Management. The challenge GTR stands for Govia Thameslink Railway, and includes Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express. Govia is a partnership between the Go-Ahead Group and Keolis. With over 7400 staff, we manage 239 stations and deliver 24% of all passenger rail journeys in the UK. The two roles were both at ‘heads or’ level. This is a particularly challenging level at which to hire as experienced interims tend to be working at a more senior level and are typically looking for director or change based assignments, rather than BAU team management. We were also required to find candidates with rail or related sector experience as both the procurement and facilities functions with rail have specific requirements, relating the DFT and also the relationship with Network Rail. Our solution In both instances our first approach was to contact our network and work through previous assignments that we have handled in the sector for similar roles. This generated a number of interesting conversations which we then supplemented by doing a wider search through social media and railway-based communities. The appointments were both made successfully.
Interim Project Managers x 3 – Network Rail – GBRTT
Background Veredus provide interim executive talent across the transport and infrastructure sector, including many of the UK train operating companies, Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group. We recruit exceptional individuals across all functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Health and Safety, Procurement, Projects and Programme Management. The challenge GBRTT (Great British Railways Transition team) is working on behalf of the government to create a new organisation that will bring together decisions about track and train, provide accountable leadership, and lead the railway forward. Within the organisation the Fares, Ticketing and Retail team (FTR) is committed to delivering on the Plan for Rail. The challenge is to provide clearer pricing, modern methods of payment and straightforward compensation will help us to restore trust and encourage more people to use rail. In order to achieve this GBRTT asked us to provide 3 interim project managers. Our solution: We undertook extensive research across multiple infrastructure, transport, utilities and public sector groups together with engaging with our ‘talent bank’ of existing project managers, to identify available skills and experience for these (initial 6 month) assignments. The search activity generated dozens of potential candidates that we met with to produce a shortlist of 6 for final presentation to the client. All 3 appointments were made and contracts have since been extended.
Interim Project Managers – Network Rail
The client Network Rail own, operate, maintain and develop the railway infrastructure in England, Scotland and Wales. That’s 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. The brief At Veredus, we work for various divisions with Network Rail including GBRTT and GBRX. We have been asked to search for experienced project managers on a large number of occasions and they remain a key client relationship. The projects range across operational issues, customer experience, training and human resources, procurement and health and safety. The process We reached out to our known, tried and tested candidates across all key functions within the rail and infrastructure sector and were quickly able to identify a shortlist of those who matched the requirements. Once we’d established enthusiasm and engagement, and discussed availability and day rates requirements, we presented the shortlist. One of our challenges is to find candidates who are prepared to work one roles that fall inside of scope for IR35 regulation but, over time, Veredus have built a specific database of interim managers who happy to engage with umbrella companies and work inside IR35.
Interim Head of Communications – Technology business
The client Our client is the AI division of the Uk’s largest infrastructure provider. The brief To direct and lead on the development and execution of communications and stakeholder engagement strategy to promote the success of the division, fostering strategic partnerships with external stakeholders including Train Operating Companies, Freight Operating Companies, government ministers, suppliers, and the public. The process At Veredus, we have an established talent bank of candidates across all key functions within the rail and infrastructure sector and were quickly able to identify a shortlist of candidates who could deliver from a technical perspective as well as fit within the existing teams. Once contacted, we discussed our client’s needs extensively as well as their availability and day rate requirements before presenting the shortlist. The results: The successful candidate joined on a fulltime interim day rate contract that has since been renewed
Interim Customer Experience Lead – London based TOC
The client Our client is a trusted partner of the Department for Transport (DfT) who are working towards creating and implementing the operations for High Speed 2 Ltd (HS2). Working to design, develop and mobilise the high-speed service operations which will deliver benefits including more capacity, quicker journey times and a step-change in customer experience. The brief The CX Lead will report into the Head of Customer Proposition and will lead the delivery of customer experience functional requirements related to the customer proposition of future high-speed services. The process We are fortunate to have a well-maintained and curated network of fantastic candidates across all key functions within the rail and infrastructure sector. We were quickly able to identify a shortlist of suitably qualified candidates. Once contacted we reviewed their skills and experience to ensure that they met our client’s needs and discussed availability and day rate requirements before presenting a shortlist. The result: The successful candidate joined on a 2/3 week assignment for 9 months.
Operations Director – West Midlands Trains
Veredus provide executive talent across the transport and infrastructure sector, including many of the UK train operating companies, Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group. We recruit exceptional individuals across all functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Health and Safety, Procurement, Projects and Programme Management. The client West Midlands Trains (WMT). WMT operate two train networks – West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway – connecting London, the Midlands and the North West. The brief The planned retirement led to a need to hire a new Operations Director and as a specialist executive recruitment firm within rail we were asked to undertake the assignment. The role was responsible for leading WMT’s Operations directorate, proving inspirational leadership to contribute to delivering the company’s business strategy to achieve defined business goals and required cost savings. Our approach Our approach was a detailed and comprehensive search, both inside and outside rail. We did not advertise the role, as together with the client we had a clear understanding of the type of individual required and where to find them. In addition, confidentiality was important to all parties concerned and a targeted search was therefore deemed the best approach. Once candidates were identified and approached, they were assessed and interviewed, and we then asked the shortlisted candidates to complete a Candidate Profiling Document (CPD) outlining their individual suitability. The CPD allowed the candidates to demonstrate their skills and experience in more depth and relevant to the role, and it also provided background as to their motivations and approach. The two-week search generated a long list of potential candidates that were then agreed with the client, before we approached them to assess their level of interest. Over a further two week period we reduced the list and engaged with 19 candidates who demonstrated both the interest required in the role and the level of skills and experience needed. This resulted in our interviewing 12 candidates and then asking the shortlist of 6 to complete a Candidate Profiling Document. The client interviewed 3 candidates and then invited a fourth candidate into the process, who was ultimately offered the position.
Operations Director – West Midlands Trains
Background Veredus provide executive talent across the transport and infrastructure sector, including many of the UK train operating companies, Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group. We recruit exceptional individuals across all functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Health and Safety, Procurement, Projects and Programme Management. The client West Midlands Trains (WMT). WMT operate two train networks – West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway – connecting London, the Midlands and the North West. The brief The planned retirement led to a need to hire a new Operations Director and as a specialist executive recruitment firm within rail we were asked to undertake the assignment. The role was responsible for leading WMT’s Operations directorate, proving inspirational leadership to contribute to delivering the company’s business strategy to achieve defined business goals and required cost savings. Our approach Our approach was a detailed and comprehensive search, both inside and outside rail. We did not advertise the role, as together with the client we had a clear understanding of the type of individual required and where to find them. In addition, confidentiality was important to all parties concerned and a targeted search was therefore deemed the best approach. Once candidates were identified and approached, they were assessed and interviewed, and we then asked the shortlisted candidates to complete a Candidate Profiling Document (CPD) outlining their individual suitability. The CPD allowed the candidates to demonstrate their skills and experience in more depth and relevant to the role, and it also provided background as to their motivations and approach. The two-week search generated a long list of potential candidates that were then agreed with the client, before we approached them to assess their level of interest. Over a further two week period we reduced the list and engaged with 19 candidates who demonstrated both the interest required in the role and the level of skills and experience needed. This resulted in our interviewing 12 candidates and then asking the shortlist of 6 to complete a Candidate Profiling Document. The client interviewed 3 candidates and then invited a fourth candidate into the process, who was ultimately offered the position.
Interim Commercial Director (part time role) – London based TOC
Background Veredus provide interim executive talent across the transport and infrastructure sector, including many of the UK train operating companies, Network Rail, DFT and the Rail Delivery Group. We recruit exceptional individuals across all functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Engineering, Health and Safety, Procurement, Projects and Programme Management. The client Our client is a UK train operating company that is part of one of the largest providers of passenger transport in Europe with 60,000 employees delivering more than 2.2 billion passenger journeys every year. The brief Interim Commercial Director (part time role). The role required an experienced Commercial director with significant rail experience who was used to working at director level across commercial and customer experience. It was also a requirement that the candidate was happy to work on a part time 2/3 days a week basis as a job share. Interim operations Director (fixed term contract) the role required someone who had been an Operations Director in the past and was immediately available and with the added complication of being satisfied with a fixed term contract rather than either a day rate interim or permanent post. Interim Financial Controller – the requirement was immediate and again required experience of the rail sector and the confident and ability to manage and build a team. Our solution: In all instances we leaned heavily on our rail market expertise speaking and meeting with a wide range of established contacts and building new networks across the sector. In addition, we reached out (confidentially) on social media to draw attention to the roles. All three posts were successfully filled with the Commercial Director ultimately joining full time, the operations director being extended twice and the financial Controller delivering as required before a permanent hire was made.