A leading global retail business had recently gone through a complete review of its Information Technology infrastructure. Following several key findings carried out as a result of the review, which was conducted by a major consulting firm, it was clear that the IT function needed a unifying leader. Three very separate divisions within the group were operating independently of each other and as a result IT was not supporting the store operations in an effective and efficient manner.

Capitis Partners were instructed to carry out an International search for a Group IT Director. Our first task was to map clearly the population where an established, change driven IT Director could be sourced. Working closely with both the Group HR Director and the Group Finance Director, Capitis compiled a truly reflective Assignment Briefing Pack, which enabled target candidates to make an informed decision as to whether they would be up to the huge challenges that lay ahead of them.

The search was concluded in under eight weeks from its inception and within two months the successful Group IT Director has already made structural changes to the department that have made a direct bottom line impact. He has, working closely with Capitis and the HR Director, formulated a key strategic plan which meant revisions in the department structure and an underlying increase in bottom-line efficiency. As a result of this successful search Capitis Partners were subsequently

One of the UK’s leading gaming businesses, with over 50 units within the UK and Europe, operating across a number of well-known brands all of which are market leaders in their respective segments.

The company, based in UK, and it’s board identified the need for a concise development strategy going forward to be able to deal with the forthcoming changes in the gaming laws. Faced with the fact that the existing team, although competent, did not have sufficient depth or breadth of experience in terms of technical ability or management leadership, the company retained Capitis Partners to find this board–level Property Development Director.

The successful candidate would be solidly business-oriented; exceptional at building relationships with internal clients, and business partners; strategic and proactive in providing counsel to senior management; and experienced in managing a geographically dispersed and diverse team of property professionals.

Working to a strict timetable Capitis Partners was able to work closely with the client in drawing up a specifically targeted long list. From this list a two person research team started work identifying and approaching specific individuals immediately. Interviews were organised from the end of the first week and a short-list was formed within four weeks of taking the brief. Regular updates were fed back to the client and the lead partner stayed in constant contact with the Human Resources Director running the assignment.

As a result of these seamlessly coordinated efforts, we identified, evaluated, and presented multiple candidates to the client. The successful candidate was a senior-level Property Director who had both asset management as well as extensive development experience within both out-of-town developments as well as smaller high street units.

Capitis Partners were asked to help source a newly created European role for a leading European retail and wholesale healthcare group. The role, although primarily based in UK was responsible for the retail operations in several newly entered East European markets.

The group currently operates in 7 European countries on either a wholly-owned or joint venture basis with over 300 retail outlets in the region. Eager to take advantage of further expansion possibilities in the European Union, our client decided that it needed to expand it’s current retail team to include an experienced retail operator with Eastern European experience. Our client was concerned that as a small, close-knit team, hiring externally may upset the balance within it’s team members and cause potential disruption amongst the regional offices. It was agreed t he successful candidate would be solidly business-oriented; exceptional at building relationships with internal clients, franchisees, and business partners; strategic and proactive in providing counsel to senior management; and experienced in managing a geographically dispersed and diverse team of retailers.

Capitis Partners began by reviewing which UK and European companies provided similar services (healthcare retailing) and discussing this with the client. On deciding that it would be beneficial to bring in fresh retailing perspectives, Capitis agreed to look outside of the usual talent pool to seek this talent. Capitis used our extensive research network and after agreeing a tight timetable with the client presented the shortlist of five fully qualified candidates within five weeks of inception of the search. All the candidates fitted the brief and several spoke more than two European languages including English. Each candidate possessed a desire to work within emerging retail markets in a company that was willing to nurture and grow it’s talent.

All the shortlisted candidates were interviewed resulting in the hire of an MBA qualified and highly experienced European retail professional. Although this individual had no previous healthcare experience it was unanimously agreed that their professional attitude and approach would see them fit seamlessly into the team. Along with a structured induction programme within Head Office and the regional offices any potential disturbance to the balance of the existing teams was minimised and the introduction of the new employee was allowed to progress smoothly.

A leading and highly progressive multi site leisure business had been seeking to recruit an HR & Training Director over a period of 9 months. One of the UK’s primary search firms had been retained on this assignment in September 2003, but had been unsuccessful and by June of this year our client was still looking to appoint this key director.

Capitis Partners was then instructed to pick up on this search - our first piece of work for the client. The first task was to map out the population of companies where a generalist HR professional (but with extensive learning/development knowledge) could be sourced. Working closely with the Customer Services Director, Capitis compiled a comprehensive Assignment Briefing Pack, which furnished possible candidates with all the relevant information required for the role. This list was then discussed and agreed with the client who combined it with the original long-list ensuring that there was no ‘doubling–up’.

The search was concluded in less than eight weeks from its inception (despite taking place in the peak holiday time of July and August). The Customer Services Director concluded that all of the candidates that were seen through Capitis were better than all of those previously seen through the headline search firm initially retained.

As a result of this successful search Capitis Partners have cemented their relationship with this client and are now a preferred recruitment partner.