case studies

EPS Group - Chief Operations Officer

Background To Appointment

EPS is a successful private family-owned business founded in 1968, employing 270 people in Ireland.  As market leaders in the Environmental Services sector in Ireland, EPS purchased a business in 2009 giving them a footprint in the UK, a market in which they intend to grow significantly.  Coupled with this, the Managing Director of the Group was nearing retirement and a new leader was being sought to bring the business forward in line with an ambitious business plan for the company.  A decision was made by Board of Directors to appoint an experienced business manager from the environmental services sector who had previous international or UK experience.

Our Solution

Following a beauty 'parade' of Search firms, EPS selected Accreate to manage this search assignment due to the industry insight and coverage that Accreate offered relevant to the international environmental sector. On engagement, the search criteria central to the role of Chief Operating Officer were agreed with EPS board members.  The primary research strategy included targeting relevant senior level talent across Ireland, the UK, and other European geographies. To ensure complete coverage, secondary research sought out senior Irish managers from other jurisdictions including the U.S., Australia, Russia, and South Africa.  Following completion of the Research stage, Accreate screened and assessed the potential talent pool prior to making recommendations to EPS’s board of Directors.

Measurable Result

EPS’s preferred candidate accepted the appointment within the pre-agreed timeframe.

Client Testimonial

- Tom Ruddy, Managing Director, EPS Group

"David Burke of Accreate carried out a brief for our company to find and select suitable candidates for a Chief Operations Officer position.  David and Accreate carried out this function in a timely and professional manner and were successful in identifying a short-list from which we selected the successful candidate. The information and the research documents provided to us were of a very high standard and coupled with their approach to the task we would recommend them for future assignments of a similar nature."

Candidate Testimonial

- Fearghal Downey, Successful candidate,  EPS Group COO 

"During my pursuit of my current position, I was fortunate to have worked with Accreate and David Burke in particular.  Through the entire recruitment process I found it an absolute pleasure to work with Accreate.  From the first “informal chat” where we mutually discussed the role and whether it suited the company and myself it was clear that the approach was on a very professional level.  Throughout the process communications were timely and informative and I always felt that I was an integral part of the process.  The entire process was completed in a matter of weeks and it was a very pleasant and successful engagement for myself.  I cannot recommend Accreate highly enough, and would be delighted to work with them in the future."

General Electric - Country Tax Leader Ireland

Background To Appointment

GE is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs approximately 300,000 people worldwide.GE first established a presence in Ireland over three decades ago. Since then the company has grown steadily in Ireland and over the past decade that growth has accelerated through a series of acquisitions. Today, GE employs some 2,200 people across 19 businesses located throughout the country. Following a review of the Global Tax Function for GE worldwide, a decision was made to bring in Tax expertise at the most senior level possible in a newly created role as Country Head of Tax given the importance of the Irish operations to the overall global GE tax structure.

Our Solution

A key aspect of the role was a keen understanding of International tax planning requiring candidate’s to have a very strategic focus. Accreate recommended to GE that the seniority of the role together with the Tax planning aspects warranted approaching top Tax Partner Level candidates with the Big 4 Firms. While the movement of Partner’s out to roles in Industry was rare, we were of the view that the GE position represented a very attractive opportunity for the right candidate.

Measurable Result

The on-boarding of a very high calibre Tax Partner from a Big 4 background resulting in the increased significance of Ireland as the source of Tax Strategy and Planning in the overall GE Global Tax function.

GE Client Testimonial

- Joni Walser, Senior Tax Counsel, GE Corporate, United States

"I met with Ronan from Accreate whilst on a short business trip from the US to Ireland, having received a recommendation regarding Accreate’s Executive Search expertise. We were keen to source a high calibre tax professional at a very senior level for a key strategic role within GE’s worldwide tax group, based from Ireland.  I was impressed by Accreate’s in-depth knowledge of the market and their creative and innovative approach to executive search.What I had anticipated to be a potentially difficult process to manage in light of my diary schedule and the fact that I was based on a different continent actually turned out to be one of the most straight-forward and efficient recruitment processes that I have ever had the pleasure of being involved with. Accreate delivered in every respect and we are delighted with the outcome."

JVM Equipment International - Managing Director

Background To Appointment

JVM equipment is one of the UK’s fastest growing private companies. Dealing in construction, earthmoving and lifting equipment they are the largest dealer of JCB equipment worldwide. In 2007, the company established JVM Equipment International in Dublin. Owing to the imminent retirement of the Managing Director Acceate were retained to source a new Managing Director.

Our Solution

Market condition was a key consideration during this process. Owing to the depressed state of the Irish construction sector it was extremely important to be mindful of candidate’s motivations in seeking the role. Remaining attentive of this factor, Accreate adopted a strategy which entailed working closely with the incumbent Managing Director to establish search criteria. Thereafter, we conducted thorough market analysis and mapping, subsequently identifying suitable candidates. Subsequently, extensive screening and assessment was conducted prior to recommendations to the JVM Board of Directors.

Measurable Result

JVM’s favoured candidate accepted the role and commenced work at the start date arranged and within the timescale agreed by Accreate and JVM International.

JVM Equipment International - Client Testimonial

- Nick Watts, Managing Director, JVM Equipment

"I approached Accreate to search for our new Managing Director and could not have found them more helpful in partnering with our business to find a new MD. Making senior appointments is never easy and making the right one in this case is absolutely critical to the continued success of our business. What pleased me the most was that Accreate followed the brief exactly in making recommendations to us of all shortlisted candidates.  I would have no hesitation in recommending Nikki Rooney, or indeed Accreate, for future Executive Search assignments."

JVM Equipment International - Candidate Testimonial

-Dominic Harrington, Successful candidate, JVM Equipment MD Search

"I found Accreate to be thorough and professional throughout my dealings with them. I was more than prepared for my initial meeting with JVM and the information they provided me with resulted in no surprises coming up during the discussion. I felt Accreate provided an excellent overview of both the company and the position available and it helped create a productive discussion between myself and the future employer."

Labopharm - Chief Finance Officer

Background To Appointment

Labopharm, a publicly listed Canadian Pharmaceutical company, established a subsidiary in Dublin eight years ago.  Having recently entered a joint venture with an Italian partner, the organisation required a Chief Financial Officer for this newly formed entity based from Ireland.

Labopharm selected Accreate to manage this search assignment in light of our considerable experience working with pharmaceutical clients coupled with our successful track record in appointing senior finance professionals. Once engaged by Labopharm, the search criteria central to the role of CFO were established. Following on, Accreate’s research strategy included targeting relevant senior finance professionals coming from the pharmaceutical sector across Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe.  Once the initial research was completed, Accreate thoroughly screened and assessed the potential talent pool prior to making recommendations to Labopharm.

Measurable Result

The preferred candidate selected by Labopharm accepted the appointment within the pre-agreed timeframe.

Labopharm - Client Testimonial

- Mark D’Souza, Worldwide VP of Finance, Labopharm

"We had a senior finance position to fill in our Dublin Office. Accreate did a great job of sourcing excellent candidates in a very efficient manner, and were very helpful in providing assistance in finalizing the candidate selection.  Moreover their flexibility and professionalism in handling the mandate were much appreciated"

Lionbridge Technologies - Online Quality Program Manager

Background To Appointment

Lionbridge is a NASDAQ quoted Plc. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts; the company has a footprint in twenty-six countries worldwide, with two locations in Ireland, Dun Laoghaire and Ballina. Over time, the Ballina site has become specialised in Global Search and Sourcing, an area which is cutting edge in terms of the race for Human Search Relevance for global search brands. Due to the importance of this sector, Lionbridge sought an Online Quality Program Manager, engaging Accreate to source this individual.

Our Solution

Due to the market leading position of Lionbridge globally this role offered the right individual an opportunity to work at the forefront of the online sector. Following a series of consultative meetings Accreate fully understood the client’s needs and devised a research strategy to ensure that, only the best and most appropriate talent in the market were considered for this position. Accreate adopted a company focused search, seeking an individual with sector specific expertise, alongside excellent organisational and front facing skills. As this role was based in the West of Ireland, willingness to relocate was pivotal. Bearing these factors in mind at all times during the process, intensive screening and interviews were conducted with potential candidates before Accreate presented personal recommendations for the role.

Measurable Result

Lionbridge’s preferred candidate accepted the role and re-located within the pre-agreed timescale.

Client Testimonial

- Maeve Bleahene, Senior Human Resource Manager, Lionbridge

"I approached Accreate on the basis of their reputation as a professional executive search firm. I found Accreate to be competent and able to provide a high quality service in their approach to sourcing and fulfilling our needs. They took the time to discuss the role requirements and understand our business. They mapped and targeted organisations and high potential candidates which enabled them to find the best candidate to suit our requirement.I have enjoyed a quality working relationship with Accreate and would have no hesitation in recommending Accreate as an Executive Search firm."

Stepping Stone - Chief Executive Officer

Background To Appointment

Stepping Stone was established in 1972, they are a Dublin based charity whose aim is to help eliminate homelessness in the Dublin area, providing safe and stable transitional accommodation to individuals and families. Cognisant of the potential of the charity, a decision was taken by the Board of Directors to hire a Chief Executive Officer. The Board sought a talented and experienced individual with previous sector experience, who would realise the promise of the charity and successfully drive it forward.

Our Solution

The current economic condition was a central concern during this search process. Challenges included uncertainties around continued government funding and strategic plans for the sector as a whole. Additionally, as the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer was a new departure for Stepping Stone, the Board of Directors wished to bring the successful CEO onboard on a part-time basis initially. A strategy was decided upon which focussed on mapping the charity housing and not for profit sectors. Once market talent was mapped, Accreate made tentative approaches, screening and interviewing individuals to establish their level of suitability, drive and commitment to the position. Thereafter, our recommendation of suitable candidates was presented to the Board of Directors.

Measurable Result

Stepping Stone’s favoured candidate accepted the role and commenced work at the start date arranged and within the timescale agreed.

Client Testimonial

- Dave Gribben, Director, Stepping Stone Charity

"Having received a recommendation about Accreate's expertise in terms of senior level executive search, we engaged them to assist us with the appointment of a CEO for our charity.  We were extremely impressed with their understanding of the not-for-profit sector and their unflinching professionalism throughout the process. They provided an excellent service and conducted a thorough and efficient search which was concluded successfully and without delay. We have no hesitation in recommending Accreate to other organisations seeking to fill key leadership roles."