Recruiting senior leaders for an era of disruption and uncertainty

WEST MIDLANDS, U.K. - EntSun -- Businesses are facing a new senior leadership challenge. Economic uncertainty, global supply chain shocks, digital transformation, AI, and the energy transition are redefining what 'good leadership' looks like.

Where boards once focused on in-house career progression and long sector tenure, companies are now looking for leaders who can navigate disruption, inspire change and pivot entire organisations into new markets.

According to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, this shift is driving demand for a more intentional, targeted approach to hiring at the board, C-Suite and non-executive director levels. This is alongside an ongoing appreciation for traditional headhunting methods based on relationships and sector knowledge.

For that reason, the firm has put renewed focus on its bespoke executive search and selection service, helping organisations of all sizes across core technical and engineering sectors find leaders built for transformation.

"The businesses we support are having to evolve faster than ever before," explains Matthew Heath, newly appointed head of Jonathan Lee Search & Selection. "Whether it's a manufacturer diversifying from automotive into defence, an energy company shifting further into renewables, or firms simply trying to survive supply chain challenges and shifting economic climates, leaders today must think and act differently.

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"The pace of transformation means you sometimes have to look beyond the candidate pool, or even your own sector, to find leaders with the right mindset and transferable skills."

At the same time, there's an increased reluctance for people to change jobs amid economic uncertainty, which is where personal relationships remain key to finding successful, long-term matches.

"Where we previously found 10 senior candidates ready to move from an existing role, we're now seeing perhaps four or five. That's where personal networks and the human side of search become vital. At this level, you're not scanning CVs, you're starting trusted conversations with people who may or may not be seeking change."

Jonathan Lee draws on nearly five decades of industry relationships to reach leaders who are not actively on the market.

While AI-driven tools and analytics play a role in the wider group's operations, the executive search team emphasises the continued value of human judgement and personal engagement in leadership hiring.

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Matthew said: "AI can help with data and insights, but you can't automate chemistry. Understanding culture, ambition and fit takes experience, and often intuition. The right conversation at the right moment can unlock a candidate who wasn't even considering a move.

"Many of our clients are regional manufacturers or technology businesses competing globally. They don't just need leaders who can manage the status quo, they need people who can reimagine what the business could become. Because that person's impact cascades through an entire organisation," Matthew added.
https://www.jonlee.co.uk/services/search-and-selection-recruitment/