The Adecco Group UK and Ireland, the UK and Ireland’s largest workplace solutions organisation, has chosen the UK participant of its fourth ‘CEO for One Month’ initiative following an assessment day on 18 May. ‘CEO for One Month’ is part of the worldwide Adecco Way to WorkTM programme, designed to help talent increase their employability and career prospects.
Edmund Broadhead was chosen from eight finalists following the assessment day. Edmund is in the final year of his engineering degree at Homerton College, University of Cambridge. He is one of 47 other ‘CEO for One Month’ participants appointed across the world, and will spend a month shadowing The Adecco Group UK&I leadership team, gaining a unique insight into the organisation’s country and group operations. Edmund will gain experience in HR, management, finance, marketing and public speaking. He will then have the chance to take part in a worldwide selection process to become the global ‘CEO for One Month’, working alongside The Adecco Group CEO Alain Dehaze.
The Adecco Group received over 4,000 applications in the UK for ‘CEO for One Month’, whittling it down to 120 video interviews and a final group of eight to attend the assessment day. The day comprised of an icebreaker task, a presentation exercise, a group exercise, a CSR exercise and final interviews with The Adecco Group UK&I leadership team. Candidates worked individually and in groups to showcase their skills, knowledge and ideas throughout the day. The judging panel then chose the best candidate for ‘CEO for One Month’ in the UK.
Edmund Broadhead said: “I’m delighted to be given this extraordinary opportunity to work in a global organisation like The Adecco Group UK&I. I’m looking forward to learning all aspects of the business, from finance to marketing, and having the chance to build on, as well as demonstrate my skills. This is a unique opportunity to gain real-life experience and an understanding of what it is like to work for a large organisation.”
Graham Jones, Chief Human Resources Officer, The Adecco Group UK and Ireland said: “Edmund’s initiative and top-notch communication skills were evident in his video presentation and continued during the assessment day. The CEO for One Month programme allows us to really help people gain experience in the world of work as well as to develop the skills needed to be a business leader. But, Edmund is not the only one who stands to benefit from the experience. Reverse-mentoring is a powerful tool for any future-focused organisation, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to learn from the 2017 CEO for One Month.”
Putting the applicants through their paces throughout the day were Alex Fleming, President of General Staffing; Nicola Linkleter, President of Professional Staffing; Graham Jones, Chief Human Resources Officer; David Malkinson, Chief Marketing Officer; Neil McLachlan, Group Sales and Bids Director; and Gavin Tagg, General Counsel. The benefits of the programme are highlighted by the success of previous ‘CEOs for One Month’ – some now work for the Group.
The Adecco Group launched Adecco Way to WorkTM in 2013 to tackle issues including unemployment and skills shortages, develop people’s employability, and help them enter the world of work. Through Adecco Way to WorkTM, The Adecco Group provides people with internships and apprenticeships (over 10,500 globally between 2015 and 2016), career guidance and training.