New diversity in boardroom is key to weathering economic storm

Highfield Human Solutions, provider of executive search and talent management to some of the UKís leading business names, has marked its 25th year by commenting on the changing face of the Countryís boardroom and the significance of this change in overcoming the current economic uncertainly.

Sherilyn Shackell, Highfieldís Chief Executive, explained: ëíPerhaps one of the most significant changes weíre seeing is the trend towards greater diversity in the Boardroom. While in the 80s and 90s the big change was the acceptance that senior candidates would move from company to company to gain experience, now the trend is to move between sectors, the more diverse the better! It is now the case that we regularly see senior executives being sought from completely unrelated industries to bring a fresh and inspiring perspective.

ìClients are keen to bring new styles and methodology to the table, whether to augment their existing leadership team with specific skills or to provide insight to drive the business towards a new and inspirational culture.íí

It is significant that a popular source of talent is FMCG organisations, where individuals have generally had more invested in their learning and development than those coming from less ëmatureí sectors such as e-commerce.

However, it must be recognised that sourcing staff is only the first stage of the process and that if businesses are to be successful in recruiting, gaining value and retaining high level quality staff, they need to understand individual drivers and expectations.

Highfield, which has today announced the opening of its London Office in Mayfair, works in partnership with leading UK businesses to do just this.

Shackell commented, ëíIt is essential that we understand our clientsí businesses and their key drivers in order to place the right people, and to ensure that our clients are top of the list of companies that the most talented individuals want to join.íí

She concludes, ëíWe hear regular reports of deepening uncertainty at home and abroad but regardless of the economic conditions in which businesses operate, it makes sense to invest in the development and retention of those who will lead the business during challenging times as well as more buoyant ones. Despite the changes that Highfield has observed throughout its 25 year history, the clich that a businessís people are its best asset holds true as much now as ever, and is the one aspect that can be predicted with certainty for the future.íí