Senior appointments

We manage senior, critical and sensitive appointments.

Our director-led search delivers traditional, in-depth market research and talent mapping, while protecting client confidentiality and ensuring sensitivity to any internal complexities.

NDA-protected: Ensure confidentiality with NDA-led assignments that protect your business and ensure discretion at every stage of the search
Executive screening: Executive profiles include written responses and recorded interviews with every candidate
Hire with confidence: Our 12 month aftercare programme delivers feedback loops and guarantees a successful hire, with a free replacement should the appointment not prove successful

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Selected case studies

Case study · Senior Appointments · Chief Financial Officer

R.J. O'Brien

The challenge

R.J. O'Brien required a Chief Financial Officer for its London business, at a point when the office was undergoing a period of significant change. The appointment reported directly to the Chief Executive and was a key strategic leadership hire in the UK.

The specification was demanding. Alongside a background in the broking industry, the firm sought substantial experience of system change and financial system implementation, together with a strong grounding in client money and CASS.

Our service

Kite was appointed sole agent for the search and conducted a full market mapping exercise across the relevant candidate population.

A traditional executive search campaign followed. A wide field was approached and long-listed, then reduced to a target shortlist through structured interview and evaluation before presentation to the business.

The result

Chief Financial Officer appointed for the London business
A candidate combining broking sector experience with financial system implementation
Client money and CASS expertise secured alongside the finance remit
The appointee remains in post today

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Case study · Senior Appointments · Chief Economist

Global Dairy Trade

The challenge

Global Dairy Trade was establishing its European office in Berlin from scratch and required a Chief Economist. The specification was among the most particular Kite has been asked to meet.

The appointment called for a background not simply in game theory but in auction theory specifically, and applied to a major commodity market. The business also expressed a strong preference for a candidate already resident in Berlin, in order to improve the likelihood of a successful and lasting placement.

Our service

Kite conducted a highly technical senior appointment search, assessing candidates on published academic and applied work in auction theory rather than on job titles alone.

That approach identified an individual established as a published expert in game theory within the electricity commodities market, resident in Berlin and recognised in his field.

The result

Chief Economist appointed to the new Berlin office
A published expert in game theory, applied to commodity markets
Auction theory expertise secured in an exceptionally narrow candidate market
A candidate already resident in Berlin, as the business had requested

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Case study · Senior Appointments · Chief Technology Officer

Euroclear

The challenge

Euroclear is a provider of financial market infrastructure. Its UK business operates CREST, the central securities depository for the UK market and a component of the country's critical national infrastructure, under the oversight of the Bank of England.

The Chief Technology Officer appointment therefore carried responsibility not only for systems on which the market depends day to day, but also for the programme to rebuild the CREST platform. The role required a candidate with a genuine financial market infrastructure background, and the appointment would be subject to scrutiny by the regulator as well as by the business.

Our service

Euroclear engaged Kite on the strength of an established background in the financial markets and, specifically, in market infrastructure, post-trade and settlement.

Rather than conduct an open search, Kite drew on long-standing relationships across that market. A shortlist of three individuals was presented, each known to the firm and each having worked with Kite previously.

The result

A shortlist of three candidates, all known personally to Kite
The appointment audited by Euroclear and by the Bank of England, and approved
Responsibility for the CREST rebuild programme placed with a proven market infrastructure technologist
The appointee remains in post today

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Case study · Senior Appointments · Head of Business Analysis

TP ICAP

The challenge

The appointment fell in the middle of the merger between Tullett Prebon and ICAP, and the brief reflected that. The business required a Head of Business Analysis with genuine cross-asset knowledge, together with the management and leadership experience that is comparatively rare within the business analysis discipline.

In addition, the firm sought someone who had worked through integration or merger and acquisition programmes, so that the appointee could support the change management taking place across the two organisations. Given the circumstances, the search had to be conducted confidentially and handled with considerable sensitivity.

Our service

Kite worked closely with the Global Head of Change over a period of several months, rather than running a conventional advertised process.

Discreet meetings were arranged with vetted individuals of proven standing in the industry, allowing the business to assess candidates privately and without disturbance to either organisation during the integration.

The result

Head of Business Analysis appointed during the Tullett Prebon and ICAP merger
A cross-asset candidate with leadership experience and an integration background
The search conducted confidentially throughout, with discreet introductions only
The appointee remains in post today, approaching an eighth year with the firm

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