Archer Mathieson and BIE Interim Executive, sister companies within The Cornhill Partnership, have announced plans to merge from April. The new, as yet un-named business will be led by current BIE chief executive Rob Walker. Archer Mathieson’s current chief executive Richard Wright will relinquish his role from April and will pursue another opportunity later in the year. Cornhill will make a separate announcement about this shortly.

The newly enlarged business will offer both specialised, senior-level search and interim services. The search practice will continue to follow Archer Mathieson’s ‘multi-specialist’ approach, covering finance, human resources and supply-chain/logistics. Rob Walker says the merger supports Cornhill’s long term strategy:

“This is in line with our Group strategy to operate in a ‘multi-specialist’ model, exploiting market synergies through cross-selling and the use of shared, central services. We think the time is right for this move and that clients will welcome the development. Markets are never static and, as two organisations that help clients achieve their own change and transformation agendas, we too must adapt and change.

“The merger decision was driven by numerous factors. We wanted to end the overlap from a client perspective. And as one combined company, clients gain access to more services under one roof and a wider, deeper, higher-quality talent pool than before. In a single organisation we can better concentrate our marketing and focus our consultants as one, mutually-supportive team. It also gives us greater scale; the critical mass to grow and to do that faster than we could separately.”

Two industry observers familiar with both companies and the market they operate in have welcomed the news. Richard Smelt, non-executive director at Hays Plc and former group HR director at Northern Rock Plc said:

“I don’t think this move will surprise anyone and I completely see the logic. The gap between search and interim has narrowed over recent years; organisations see interim increasingly as a very credible way of resourcing. It makes complete sense to bring these two offerings together within one brand.”

Leo McKee, chief executive officer of nationwide retail chain BrightHouse adds:

“BIE and Archer Mathieson are two excellent businesses. The combination makes complete sense as the single-stop option for hiring executives.”

Commenting on Richard Wright’s departure, Rob Walker said:

“Richard Wright has done a tremendous job over the last two years. His final task is to see us through this merger before he takes up his next role.”

Further information: Rob Walker, chief executive, BIE Interim Executive
Tel. 020 3440 5203,  Mob. 07768 208759,
email Rob.Walker@cornhillpartnership.com

Archer Mathieson will be holding the next forum on Friday 2nd March at One Aldwych where a maximum of 12 senior leaders will discuss and share their relevant views on Women in Leadership. This will be a very thought provoking, inspiring and informative discussion facilitated by 2 experts in this field.

This event will be the latest in a series of regular Archer Mathieson Forums. Our Forums are intended to be small events where everyone attending has an opportunity to contribute. By facilitating these events we also create a like-minded professional community who are able maintain contact with each other; sharing opinions, experiences, supplier information etc via our web based forum. If you would like any more information on the above or would like to become involved, please contact Emma Webb on 01753 754333 or emma.webb@archermathieson.com

The Senior HRBP for this division is part of the worldwide organisation and plays a key role in supporting the business across various functions. The Client group of 450 includes the core corporate business functions and some of the front-office banking teams.

The role reports to the Head of Human Resources and manages both internal and external stakeholders on a global basis.

The role requires this individual to act as a strategic business partner as well as supporting management teams across the board and generally assessing the HR implications.

The ideal candidate will have operated at a very senior level (VP) in an HR Generalist role within a global business, MUST have Financial Services sector experience – covering a variety of functions including reward, recruitment, learning & development and employee relations.

Other pre-requisites include a Masters degree as well as being CIPD qualified. This individual must possess strong business acumen and commercial awareness and have the strategic agility and ability to manage through complex matrix structures. Excellent relationship building skills and Change Management experience are key aspects to this role.

She has come on board to both strengthen our UK offering and to grow our International offering across all HR functions.

Layla has 10 years experience; most recently heading up the HR Interim team for Frazer Jones and previously working in the Executive Interim team at Penna. She has worked across several industry sectors at the senior level – having set up a number of Interim and Contracts businesses for Michael Page in the past.

Layla holds an International Tax and Law degree and speaks 5 languages fluently – having lived in 12 different countries she truly has a strong passion, understanding and awareness for the International markets.

This HR Manager position is a new role for our client and is designed to assist the senior management team to introduce and embed policies,
procedures and programmes to support the long-term strategy of the business.

The role will report to the Managing Director, but will interface with all directors, senior managers and employees throughout the Group.  The main focus of the role will be to support the UK-based teams, but will also act as a co-ordinator with teams globally to introduce and ensure consistency of people management policies, initiatives and practices across the Group, so experience of dealing with overseas offices, whilst not essential, would be advantageous.

As this will be a standalone role, the HRM can expect to have responsibility for all aspects of the HR lifecycle: recruitment; terms and condition of employment; employee induction; liaison with the outsourced payroll provider; oversight of the compensation and benefits schemes; appraisal and development including managing the annual appraisal process; and employee relations issues.

The successful candidate will need to be extremely organised, efficient and self-motivated to introduce good HR practice where it has not existed previously.

Candidates must have experience within the insurance sector (ideally the London market) and knowledge of the FSA and its requirements. You will have a strong background of HR theory and practice, a good understanding of employment law, and the willingness to deliver a high quality service. Experience in managing change programmes would be useful.   Candidates should also possess good communication and negotiation skills and the ability to relate to employees in a wide range of different roles.

This leading technology provider within the Broadcasting sector is creating some of the most exciting and accomplished products and services in the market. Their reputation for innovation has led to many accolades from within the industry.

They are undergoing a business transformation by moving to a more sales orientated approach and need a senior HR professional to assist in the company development.

The ideal profile would be;

• Proven skills in working at a senior management level and developing effective HR strategies aligned to business objectives
• Experience of driving a change agenda and supporting stakeholders with business transformation
• Experience of working within the IT sector
• An engaging communication and influencing style which fosters strong relationships
• A flexible, pragmatic style, focused on “making things happen”
• Energetic, detail orientated and business driven approach

The role will report to the VP HR for EMEA and partner the UK based VP’s while dealing with the full spectrum of HR activities. This will be
an autonomous role positioned at director level and will play a pivotal role in translating US HQ policies and strategy to comply with local UK legislation and economic conditions.

Client demand drives move to blend expertise, networks and market coverage

Sister companies Euromedica and Archer Mathieson are to combine their executive search expertise in a new strategic partnership. The move is in response to client demand but is also viewed as a way to further the strategic goals of both companies, says Andy MacLeod, group managing director of Euromedica

“We are responding to what numerous clients in the life sciences sector tell us they want: greater depth of coverage for some of the more generalist positions.  Archer Mathieson’s executive search expertise is in finance, human resources, and procurement functions.  Such positions don’t always need to be filled by executives already working in life sciences. Archer Mathieson can therefore help us offer a greater coverage in these functions, outside our own networks.”

Additionally, the partnership will offer Archer Mathieson a greater opportunity to build its international business more rapidly says chief executive Richard Wright:

“Archer Mathieson is very strong in the Thames Valley and M4 corridor areas of the UK. Although we already work in mainland Europe, with Euromedica’s very strong international exposure we can offer a deeper, higher-quality search across a wider talent pool. On our doorstep we also have existing relationships with large life sciences corporations where we can operate in partnership with Euromedica.”

An opportunity currently exists for an international auditor to join a highly successful listed business. Leading one individual the EMEA Head of Internal Audit will assist in the development and execution of a comprehensive risk-based global internal audit program through proactive involvement and research of industry best practices.

Liaising with business and corporate function management teams to provide counsel and input on risk and controls facing their areas. Directly managing and performing multiple internal audits simultaneously of an assigned location or operation with the objective of reviewing the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls across multiple control domains (e.g. financial, operational, compliance, IT. etc.). Experience of the pharmaceutical sector is highly desirable.

This global company has a 50 year history, revenues of £7 Billion and over 17,000 employees. After a recent restructure they have created one business to support the EMEA region. With over 3,000 staff in EMEA, HR is restructuring to support this new business model with Business Partners providing strategic HR input to the main business areas supported by functional centres of excellence and a shared service centre.

Your brief will be to strategically partner the Heads of Functions in driving the people agenda, proactively providing people solutionsn which add value and facilitates the development of talent across the group.

Your experience should include;

• Acting as a true partner to a leadership team in a complex business
• Helping managers to increase their capability through coaching and influencing
• Proven ability in managing and driving change
• Supporting demanding and challenging client groups

This is an excellent opportunity to help transform the HR function and the business across EMEA. With talent being viewed on a global scale there are many outstanding career opportunities for high potential employees who can make a quick and significant contribution.

Our client is the EMEA trading division of a US hi-tech solution provider. Following on from a recent restructure the organisation is currently looking to recruit a Head of Revenue Recognition.

Responsibilities include.

* Working closely with the sales teams re revenue recognition.

* Acting as the EMEA focal point for all US GAAP queries.  .

* Ensuring that all entities within the region comply with central
accounting policies.

The successful candidate will have previously worked in an operating division of a US hi-tech organisation. Technical excellence (US GAAP) coupled with a genuine commercial awareness is essential.