Posted on: 30.04.2026
Requirements
A leading provider of finance solutions in the UK, specialising in lending and insurance, sought a Director of Corporate Affairs to enhance its brand, lead its communication strategy, and protect its reputation in a highly regulated market. The Director would be responsible for overseeing both internal and external communications, crisis management, and media relations. The role required collaboration with the executive team and board to develop and implement a corporate communications strategy, and managing relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, partners, and regulators. The role also involved acting as the corporate spokesperson and leading the company’s media and thought leadership strategy.
The company had previously engaged another recruitment firm, but their search had not yielded suitable candidates. With a tight timeline and the need for immediate leadership, the company approached Hanson Search to fill the role urgently, expecting a shortlist of qualified candidates within one week.
Approach
Hanson Search began by conducting a thorough briefing with the company’s leadership team to understand the specific requirements of the role, the reasons for the previous search’s failure, and the urgency of the hiring process. Leveraging our extensive network in the corporate communications and financial services sectors, we quickly identified top-tier candidates with the necessary expertise in corporate communications, media relations, and regulatory compliance.
We used market intelligence built from over a decade of industry networking to assess potential candidates’ suitability and to secure early commitments. The urgency of the search required a swift, focused approach to sourcing and screening candidates, ensuring that only those who met the client’s exacting standards were put forward.
Outcome
Within one week, Hanson Search delivered a shortlist of three fully-screened candidates, all of whom were highly qualified and capable of meeting the demands of the role. The candidates had the necessary skills in strategic communication, crisis management, media relations, and regulatory compliance.
The client was able to quickly move forward with interviews, and a successful candidate was selected and offered the role. The hiring process was efficiently managed to ensure that the timing of the offer and acceptance was aligned with the company’s operational needs. The new Director of Corporate Affairs is now in place and leading the company’s communication strategy, effectively enhancing its brand and reputation in a highly competitive and regulated market.
Hanson Search is a leading talent advisory and executive search consultancy with consultants based across the UAE, UK, USA, and Europe. We specialise in business-critical roles that drive revenue, reputation, and risk. We have dedicated teams in Communications, Government Relations, Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Digital Marketing, and Sustainability
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Hanson Search’s knowledge of the market is up to date and accurate, they understand day to day needs for their clients, but their real USP is the ability to introduce talent that enables ambition & growth.
Talent Partner, Blakeney
Hanson Search is a trusted and valued recruitment partner to MHP Group. They know the business and the teams they work across well and always strive to provide us with the most high-quality candidates.
Talent Partner, MHP Group
The Hanson Search team truly places quality over quantity and it’s refreshing. Their robust screening process means that you may only view a handful of candidates but each one of them has something to offer the role.
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Hanson Search has been instrumental in identifying and recruiting senior executives for RAK Tourism. They deeply understood the nature of the roles and people we need and provided excellent candidates.
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Hanson Search quickly ‘got’ us. They were proactive in their search and responsive in their service right from the outset. Very happy client.
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