Insight
A Decade of Partnership: How Collingwood Executive Search Helped Build VEKA’s Successful Board
In the fast-paced world of executive recruitment, a successful placement is often seen as the end of the journey. But for us at Collingwood Executive Search, it’s just the beginning.
Recently, our Managing Director, Doug Mackay, sat down with Neil Evans, Managing Director of VEKA, to reflect on a professional relationship that has spanned over a decade. It’s a partnership that started with Neil being headhunted for a Sales Director role and evolved into a collaborative effort to build VEKA’s leadership team.
Their conversation highlights what it truly takes to move beyond transactional recruitment and forge a lasting, strategic partnership.
The Candidate Experience as the Foundation
A strong partnership often begins long before a contract is signed. For Neil, the foundation was laid during his own recruitment process.
Reflecting on his experience as a candidate, Neil noted the focus and detail Collingwood brought to the table. “I’d obviously gone through the process and had a feeling of your focused and detail that you put into it,” he explained. The way Collingwood handled the transition and integrated him into the business left a lasting positive impression.
When Neil transitioned into a hiring position as Managing Director, continuing the relationship was a natural choice. “If it isn’t broken, no need to fix it,” he said. But beyond convenience, it was Collingwood’s ongoing diligence and genuine interest in VEKA’s business that cemented the partnership.
Moving Beyond the Brief: Flexibility and Determination
Recruitment is rarely a straight line. Briefs change, market realities shift, and finding the perfect fit often requires agility.
Neil highlighted Collingwood’s flexibility as a key differentiator. “We are not always perfect in the brief that we provide,” he admitted. “Sometimes that does mean that we have to review that and perhaps start again or start again with some parts of it.”
While this can be frustrating for recruiters, Neil found Collingwood to be open and adaptable. It’s this determination to achieve the right outcome for the business—rather than just filling a seat—that sets a true recruitment partner apart.
The Differentiator: Selling the Business
In a competitive market, attracting top-tier talent requires more than just a job description. It requires a compelling narrative.
When asked what differentiates Collingwood from other headhunters, Neil pointed to our deep engagement with VEKA’s business. “I think recruiters have got a role to play often in generic roles that you’re looking for, where you kind of recognise that the job you need to do as VEKA is probably a standalone job of helping you stand out for that candidate,” he explained.
However, for senior leadership roles, Collingwood goes a step further. “Your engagement and interest in the business, I think you do a big selling job for VEKA before we even get the chance to meet them,” Neil added. By truly understanding the company’s culture and goals, we can effectively champion the business to prospective candidates.
A Standout Success: Appointing a Commercial Director
One of the most defining moments in the partnership came when VEKA sought to appoint its first Commercial Director.
Neil, having a strong commercial background himself, had a clear vision of what he wanted. However, he also recognised the need to listen to Collingwood’s insights on the market and the quality of available candidates.
The process involved narrowing down a large pool of targeted individuals to a high-quality shortlist. “I also do remember interestingly within that process, we had some different views in terms of the relative strengths of those,” Neil recalled. Yet, the dialogue remained positive and constructive.
The result? The appointment of Tim, a candidate from a completely unrelated industry. “The success and the strength he’s brought to the team is a real standout for me,” Neil shared. It’s a testament to the value of open dialogue and looking beyond the obvious choices to find the right fit.
Looking Ahead
A ten-year partnership is a rare and valuable thing in any industry. It requires trust, open communication, and a shared commitment to success.
As we look back on our journey with VEKA, we are reminded of why we do what we do. It’s not just about filling roles; it’s about helping businesses build the leadership teams they need to thrive.
Here’s to the next decade of partnership and success.
Are you looking to build a successful leadership team for your business?
