Recruiting an MD for a Niche Automotive Firm

Challenge

A niche automotive firm, owned by a family office, required a Managing Director (MD) to steer the company’s strategic direction, operations, and growth initiatives. This presented several challenges:

1. Financial Strain: The previous management team had depleted a substantial portion of the allocated investment funds, necessitating the acquisition of additional capital to stabilise the company.
2. Broad Skillset Requirement: The ideal candidate needed to possess a wide-ranging skillset, including expertise in international sales, dealer development, service management, manufacturing, branding, and marketing.
3. Reputation Issues: Due to previous ownership, the company’s reputation had suffered, necessitating a compelling narrative to attract a high-calibre candidate to the role.

Solution

Trevor, our Managing Partner, utilised his renowned M.O.S.T format (Mission, Objectives, Strategy, Tasks) to craft a detailed job description. This structured approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of the skills and experience required for the new MD. The process involved:

1. Mission: Define the overarching goal for the new MD – to revitalise the company’s market position and ensure sustainable growth.
2. Objectives: Outline specific, measurable goals, such as increasing market share, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing brand reputation.
3. Strategy: Develop strategic initiatives to achieve these objectives, focusing on expanding international sales, optimising dealer networks, and implementing robust marketing campaigns.
4. Tasks: Identify the day-to-day responsibilities, such as overseeing manufacturing processes, managing financial performance, and leading the executive team.

Recognising the difficulty of filling this role, we leveraged our extensive network to identify candidates both within the UK and UK nationals working overseas. We focused on individuals with a blend of automotive industry experience, leadership skills, and a proven track record in driving business growth.

Outcome

Within six weeks, we successfully placed an MD who was eager to return to the UK after years of contracting overseas. The chosen candidate brought a profound understanding of the automotive market and a successful history of leading similar companies to growth and profitability. The new MD’s strategic vision and operational expertise revitalised the company’s prospects, paving the way for significant performance improvements and long-term success.

The MD implemented a series of strategic initiatives that not only stabilised the financial situation but also improved the company’s reputation in the market. Through effective leadership and a clear strategic direction, the company experienced a resurgence in market confidence and operational efficiency, setting a solid foundation for future growth.