Executive Search for a Managing Director for the UK Division of a Global Shipping Group
Business Type: UK division of a global group specialising in the shipment of cars, trucks, trailers, and other rolling cargo.
Location: UK
Executive Search Team: Jonathan Pearse, Head of Executive Search - Shipping - EMEA & The Americas and Kelsey Purse, Director of Shipping - EMEA & The Americas
The client required a Managing Director to lead UK operations, overseeing over 60 personnel across multiple offices and subsidiaries. The Executive Search for their new Managing Director (MD) was led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Our client reached out directly based on our established online presence in shipping and maritime recruitment.
The Challenge
The successful Managing Director (MD) needed to modernise the business and drive growth, aligning with newly defined strategic, operational, and commercial objectives. They sought a dynamic leader able to inspire teams and spearhead initiatives in IT, digitisation, processes, and compliance.
The new Managing Director had to unify a multi-office, multi-brand operation and drive significant commercial and operational growth. Historically, each brand operated independently, so the chosen candidate would need to foster unity while leading transformation.
Key challenges included:
Limited Candidate Pool: Due to the niche nature of the sector, there was a small pool of candidates with relevant experience. The scale of the company meant there were few direct competitors, further limiting candidate availability.
Transferable Skills: The market was divided between smaller, owner-managed companies and large corporates. Leaders from smaller companies often lacked experience managing large teams, while those from larger corporations were highly specialised or beyond the client’s budget.
Location Requirements: The head office’s location outside London made relocation a necessity for many candidates. Initially, the client favoured a local search, but after consultation, we broadened the search across the UK and included overseas candidates willing to relocate.
Our Approach
To address the challenges, we developed a strategic, tailored search process:
1. Client Needs Assessment:
We conducted two in-depth meetings with the client to fully understand their requirements, focusing on leadership, change management, and growth objectives.
2. Employer Value Proposition:
The client was transparent about the scale of the challenge and offered the successful candidate full autonomy to drive transformation. We crafted this into a compelling narrative to attract candidates seeking P&L responsibility and leadership opportunities.
3. Compensation Advice:
We provided clear compensation guidelines upfront to align expectations and maximise interest within the client's budget.
4. Market Mapping & Candidate Sourcing:
We conducted extensive market research to understand the UK RORO and logistics sectors while leveraging our experience in shipping and maritime recruitment to identify overlapping talent.
5. Proactive Candidate Engagement:
Using Faststream and client branding, we actively engaged with target candidates, highlighting the opportunity to lead and transform a business.
6. Comprehensive Interviews:
We conducted detailed interviews, presenting the client’s value proposition and evaluating candidates’ fit for the role.
7. Refined Shortlist:
After multiple interview rounds, we presented a strong shortlist of highly qualified candidates, including those from various regions and international markets.
8. Final Selection & Offer Management:
We supported the client through the final interview and offer stages, ensuring a smooth transition during the candidate's notice period and up to their start date.
The Outcome
The client successfully hired a Managing Director who brought the leadership and vision necessary to guide the organisation through its next phase of growth. The candidate was a strong cultural fit, able to unify the team and drive transformation across the business.
Contact the Executive Search Team
Call one of our Executive Search teams or complete your details in the form below:
Latest Insights
View All Insights
Why Singapore's Best Maritime Commercial Professionals Rarely Change Jobs
Singapore remains one of the world's leading maritime centres, attracting global shipowners, operators, commodity traders, maritime technology businesses and service providers. Yet for employer...
Should You Hire the Best CV or the Best Candidate?
The strongest hiring decisions look beyond the CV to identify candidates with the capability, potential and qualities to succeed over the long term. Key Takeaways A close match between a CV and a j...
How Maritime Companies Can Test New Markets Without Setting Up a Local Entity
International expansion has always been part of the maritime industry's growth story. Whether it's supporting offshore wind developments, entering emerging shipping markets or growing your ...
Is Your Maritime Recruitment Model Becoming Too Complex?
As maritime organisations grow, recruitment often becomes more complex than anyone intended. A shipping company that once relied on a single trusted recruitment partner may now work with different ...
Should You Set Up a Local Entity or Use an Employer of Record? A Guide for Maritime Employers
International growth creates exciting opportunities, whether you're entering a new offshore wind market, supporting a vessel mobilisation, or expanding your commercial footprint into a new regi...
Why Candidate Experience Has Become a Commercial Advantage in Maritime Recruitment
Finding and securing skilled maritime professionals has become increasingly competitive. Whether you're hiring for technical, operational, commercial or leadership positions, the strongest cand...
Why Maritime Executive Searches Fail in Asia-Pacific: Seven Common Causes
Leadership appointments can shape the future direction of a maritime business. The right hire can support growth, strengthen commercial performance, lead transformation initiatives, and create last...
The Growth Challenges Maritime Leaders Can Actually Control
Most maritime businesses want to grow. Whether the goal is entering new markets, expanding fleets, investing in digital technologies or strengthening customer relationships, growth remains a priori...
Confidential Recruitment in Maritime: Why Discretion Matters More Than Ever
From leadership succession and market expansion to business transformation, confidential hiring has become an increasingly important strategy for maritime employers across the Asia-Pacific. Most re...
Who Will Replace the Global Maritime Leaders? The International Experience Gap Emerging in US Maritime
For years, conversations about maritime talent have focused on labour shortages, skills gaps and succession planning. Yet another challenge may be quietly emerging across the maritime industry: a g...
How Maritime Employers Can Strengthen Hiring Outcomes
Maritime recruitment has become increasingly competitive across shipowners and managers, particularly for technical, operational and commercial roles where specialist talent remains limited. As hir...
Singapore Maritime Technology Recruitment Trends: Hiring & Expansion Across Asia Pacific
Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a key hub for maritime technology recruitment across the Asia Pacific, as SaaS providers, OEMs, maritime advisory firms, and shipping technology bu...