CEO-led Pivot Amplifies Growth in Target Capability
Client
Private-equity-backed consulting firm sought to execute a precarious and highly strategic pivot by adding critical new capabilities and a new practice to its growth portfolio.
Executive
CEO with 10+ years experience, a portfolio of carefully cultivated senior client relationships, large-scale operations, IT/ERP strategy, and leadership across sectors, including consulting, finance, and administration.
Situation
Following a private equity transaction, the firm’s founding CEO envisioned transitioning to a Chairman role, necessitating the search for a transformational CEO to amplify the business.
Prior to engaging L.Maxwell, search horizons encompassed candidates with broad advisory consulting backgrounds. Recognizing the niche appeal and potential of the target capability, L.Maxwell refined the search focus, navigating thorny challenges including a constrained talent pool and complex non-compete clauses from leading firms.
Our approach was multi-faceted:
Stakeholder Engagement: By leveraging multiple channels, L.Maxwell ensured stakeholder engagement and an optimal partnership timeline.
Precision of Communication: Given the close-knit nature of the consulting community for the target capability, carefully-timed communications were paramount to protect the integrity of the search and the client’s recruitment message.
Expert Navigation: The confined talent pool, coupled with complex non-compete clauses and the unexpected global challenge of COVID-19, required exceptional strategic foresight.
Despite these constraints, our efforts identified a candidate who had been instrumental in aiding the expansion of their current firm, but was limited in growth opportunities in their current role. L.Maxwell presented a clear and compelling vision of future opportunity that helped secure the candidate, executing the onboarding and transition with due care and sensitivity.
Outcome
L.Maxwell facilitated a strategic CEO appointment driving significant growth for our client.
Within six months, the CEO drove the sale of an underperforming business segment, enabling focus and accelerating growth in the target capability and the associated practice.
This strategic move has repositioned the company as one of the top partners for the target capability and enabled them to capture a critical market segment.
