5 year Chair and board engagement

Satori prides itself on long-term and enduring relationships. This “government as stakeholder” mid sized company has used Satori Executive Search for over five years. Our relationship has included building the Board and its executive team from scratch. This included a Chair, SID, Audit Chair, and three other NEDs, the CEO, CFO, Head of Legal and Chief Commercial Officer. Subsequent searches have included replacing the CFO (when the original appointee retired early), one of the NEDs on rotation and completing a benchmark board reward survey. We remain a preferred supplier to this day and the founding Chair was highly complimentary about our ability to get the boards’ balance “right first time”.

5 year board engagement - major port

This client was Satori’s first customer. The Chairman and CEO of a major port asked us to conduct a board review with a strong focus on the human aspects of the Board, as he sought to refresh the Board as it moved toward the end of its term. The review we conducted resulted in numerous recommendations including the development of a board rotation plan. Over the course of the next five years we were to support the Board in developing enhanced capability and expertise. Our work has included advising on the appointment of a new Chairman, SID and five other NEDs. Today the Board comprises exceptionally talented individuals. The CEO moved on and was so impressed with what we had collectively achieved that he and his new Chair recently engaged Satori to secure a NED for his new Board.

CFO search for energy services company

When we were asked to replace the CFO of this mid sized energy services company we quickly identified considerable salary constraints compared to the market. Our solution from the outset incorporated a likely requirement for onboard coaching and board mentoring to enable us to source candidates from a wider pool of first-timers. We secured a rising, high-potential first time CFO, with no material rise in package. She was motivated to join the company by the opportunity for substantial professional development. One of our qualified coaches led the onboarding process and worked in tandem with the Audit Chair to deliver focussed mentoring in relation to board membership. The CFO subsequently commented “one of the main reasons I entered the process was the coaching and mentoring included in your search methodology”.

Board and governance review for a government funded company

A new Chairman, who on another Board had been part of a Satori board review, asked Satori to conduct a governance review followed by a full board review of this government funded body. Governance had become unclear and he had some discomfort regarding board behaviours and dynamics. Our governance review clarified structures, functions and processes as they applied to the companies responsibilities contained within its Articles and MoU with government. Our full board review delivered a set of recommendations designed to ensure that the Board worked closely together as a team to implement the findings of the review, drew on the NEDs to make substantial contributions to the company and encouraged the CEO to invite more contribution from Directors. The Chairman recently commented that “your review added huge value and the Board is in so much a better place than it was before”.

5 year executive team engagement - support services

A private equity and investment bank backed global support services company needed a review of their top team in the UK. We conducted a full executive assessment benchmarked against leadership in the wider sector. This led to promotion of the UK CEO into a regional role, with the UK COO stepping into his place. Over the course of the next 5 years we were tasked with searches to secure a range of executive roles including, COO, CFO, CPO, Sales Director, UK CEO, BD Director and various Divisional MD roles. During the period of our engagement the UK business grew from £1.1-£1.4Bn in revenues at the same time as enhancing its margin.

Board review for a housing association

Satori Board Review was engaged by the Chairman of a Housing Association to conduct an external review. He had previously experienced one of our reviews as a NED on another board. We delivered the assignment using structured interviews, at his request, as well as completing an extensive document review. Our review resulted in a series of recommendations which at the time of writing are being implemented in their entirety. The Chairman commented “this was an excellent review … it delivered huge value for our Board”.

Creation of a Senior Advisory Board - large training company

Satori were asked to support one of the UKs largest private equity backed training companies in securing a Public Sector Advisory Board. The Board was designed to assist the company in securing a greater share of the public sector training market. Our search generated the three candidates we were seeking who between them had excellent relationships and knowledge of the training markets in central government, local government and the health service. The Board substantially assisted the company in securing framework wins, including guiding the top team in their responses to RFPs from central government. Our work led to Satori’s appointment to secure a Sales Director for the company subsequent to the formation of the Board.

NED search for a major UK port

On the back of our previous work with another port Satori were asked to support the Board of a major UK port in securing a new NED. Our approach was to conduct a review of Board Composition in order to secure alignment behind the profile sought. Balancing the Board from a gender perspective was an important part of the requirement as was the ability of the Board to identify, manage and mitigate large scale infrastructure projects risk. Satori produced a short-list with a number of pre-eminent engineers with extensive large-scale projects experience. It resulted in the appointment of one of the UKs most senior female engineers. A first time NED this was a good example of lateral thinking and searching in the less obvious pools for exceptional talent.

Board review for a ports group

Satori were invited to conduct an external board review for a ports group. Working with both Chair and CEO we focussed extensive time and effort in establishing areas of focus that would enable us to maximise the ROI of the process. Our review enabled the Board to develop and implement a three year rotation plan, enhance its strategic contribution to the company, further develop and improve the effectiveness of its governance systems and processes and to rebalance the contribution from operational to strategic. The Board has now completed its rotation plan with all 6 NED seats now filled with new Directors including the Chair and SID posts. The value that it brings to the company and its wider stakeholders is now exceptional.