The brief: a dual government relations executive search
A global energy and utilities group operating across Europe and North America appointed Hanson Search to run two concurrent government relations executive search mandates, a global government relations lead and a regional leadership hire covering North America. The group operates in a heavily regulated sector with significant public-sector oversight, so both roles carried a level of political sensitivity well beyond a standard corporate affairs appointment. We were recommended into the business but still competed for the mandate through a formal pitch process.
Challenges in senior public affairs and policy recruitment
The client needed two senior appointments delivered simultaneously, without either process compromising the other. The regulatory and ownership context meant candidates required impeccable credentials, established relationships with government and regulatory bodies at the most senior level, and the judgement to operate in a politically exposed environment. As with most public affairs and policy mandates at this level, the process involved a wide stakeholder group, including a newly appointed chief executive, senior HR leadership and external representatives, each with a different view of what good looked like.
Our approach to senior corporate affairs and communications search
We worked closely with the client’s HR leadership from the outset to establish a shared definition of the brief and to understand where the sensitivities sat. Our search was proactive rather than advertised, drawing on long-standing relationships across corporate affairs and communications in both regions to approach individuals who were not in the market. Given the exposure attached to both roles, we ran an unusually rigorous referencing process, taking references from multiple former employers rather than the standard two.
The outcome: two senior leadership appointments delivered in four weeks
We delivered shortlists for both roles within four weeks. Each successful candidate was referenced with five former employers before offer. Both appointments were made, and the client now has senior government relations leadership in place across its two priority regions.
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