Recruiting senior leaders for an era of disruption and uncertainty

Businesses across the UK are facing a new senior leadership challenge. Economic uncertainty, global supply chain shocks, digital transformation, AI, and the energy transition are redefining what 'good leadership' looks like.

Where boards once focused on in-house career progression and long sector tenure, companies are now looking for leaders who can navigate disruption, inspire change and pivot entire organisations into new markets.

According to long-standing recruitment specialists, Jonathan Lee Recruitment, this shift is driving demand for a more intentional, targeted approach to hiring at the board, C-Suite and non-executive director levels.
This is alongside an ongoing appreciation for traditional headhunting methods based on strong relationships, networks and deep sector knowledge.

For that reason, the firm has put renewed focus on its bespoke executive search and selection service. Led by a dedicated team of recruitment experts, it helps organisations of all sizes across core technical and engineering sectors in the UK, to find leaders built for transformation.

New team gears up for renewed focus on executive level recruitment

"The businesses we support are having to evolve faster than ever before," explains Matthew Heath, Associate Director and newly appointed head of Jonathan Lee Search & Selection.

"Whether it's a manufacturer diversifying from automotive into defence, an energy company shifting further into renewables, or firms simply trying to survive supply chain challenges and shifting economic climates, leaders today must think and act differently.

"They need to bring clarity in uncertainty, and that means recruitment has to be just as agile and diligent as the businesses themselves.

"Internal promotion alone can't always deliver the step-change that companies currently need," he added. "The pace of transformation means you sometimes have to look beyond the candidate pool, or even your own sector, to find leaders with the right mindset and transferable skills."

Traditional recruitment methods remain key to successful hires

At the same time, there's an increased reluctance for people to change jobs amid economic uncertainty, which is where personal relationships remain key to finding successful, long-term matches.

"Where we previously may have found 10 senior candidates ready to move from an existing role, we're now seeing perhaps four or five. That's where personal networks and the human side of executive search become vital. At this level, you're not scanning CVs, you're starting trusted conversations with people who may or may not be seeking change," Matthew said.

"Because we are so well established with a long history, we have extensive networks and a recognised brand to draw upon."

With hundreds of placements made every year at all levels and access to a proprietary database of thousands of confidential candidate profiles, Jonathan Lee draws on nearly five decades of industry relationships to reach leaders who are not actively on the market.

While AI-driven tools and analytics play a role in the wider Jonathan Lee Recruitment group's operations, the executive search team emphasises the continued value of human judgement and personal engagement in leadership hiring.

Matthew said: "AI can help with data and insights, but you can't automate chemistry. Understanding culture, ambition and fit from both the client and candidate perspective takes experience, and often intuition. The right conversation at the right moment can unlock a candidate who wasn't even considering a move."

The firm's relaunch of its executive Search & Selection consultancy service reflects a growing need among engineering and tech-focused OEs and SMEs, typically employing between 150 and 1,000 people, to access senior talent on par with international search firms.

"Many of our clients are regional manufacturers or technology businesses competing globally. They don't just need leaders who can manage the status quo, they need people who can reimagine what the business could become. Because that person's impact cascades through an entire organisation.

"That's where our combination of cross-sector insight, relationship depth and strategic recruitment experience really adds value," Matthew said.

EBY Design Ltd. 18 Pebble Close Business Village, Amington, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B77 4RD.
linda.ram@eby.uk.com

Part of Jonathan Lee Recruitment, established in 1978, Jonathan Lee Search & Selection delivers senior-level and board appointments across engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, technology and energy sectors in the UK and internationally. Its executive search consultants combine decades of industry experience with proven headhunting methodologies and a proprietary database of over 400,000 professionals.
Matthew Heath began his career as an apprentice in the electric motor industry, before moving to international sales management across commercial vehicle components, industrial engineering, aerospace and defence. He has been delivering senior-level recruitment projects for more than 15 years. The wider Jonathan Lee Recruitment specialist executive team's experience spans C-suite, board and director appointments in a variety of engineering, manufacturing and technology sectors.

This release was published on openPR.