Harvey Nash Expands, Names Leadership Services Head
October 4, 2017 – London-based search firm Harvey Nash has expanded with the addition of Simon Drake as managing director of leadership services in the U.K. He will oversee Harvey Nash Executive Search and Impact Executives.
In his new role, Mr. Drake is responsible for the strategic development of the business, providing organizations with a professional services offering to ensure that their leaders are well equipped through leadership consulting, executive search, executive interim and through the firm’s developing board services capability.
Harvey Nash said it plans to expand and develop the business organically, by continuing to grow its team of consultants and through targeted acquisitions.
“We are delighted to welcome Simon to the team,” said Magnus Tegborg, chairman of Harvey Nash’s leadership services division. “His fresh approach will really help to support the strategic development of the business, creating a cohesive vision across the executive search, executive interim, leadership consulting and board services divisions.”
Search Veteran
Mr. Drake has over 26 years’ experience in executive search, interim executive, leadership recruitment solutions and project management consultancy. He has extensive experience leading and transforming search/interim and consulting businesses and supporting a range of commercial and public sector industries. He has worked with boards of FTSE 100 companies through to SMEs.
Recruiter Rankings: London Top 60
London’s need for talent has transformed it into the second largest executive search market in the world after New York. Hunt Scanlon has selected the most prominent leadership solutions providers in this dynamic marketplace, settling on 60 of the most influential and innovative.
| Top 60 |
Mr. Drake’s key market knowledge and experience includes leading businesses and personal experience in a broad variety of sectors, including: technology, digital/e-business, media and telecoms, ICT, financial services, transportation, engineering, FM, property and construction, retail/consumer/FMCG, public sector, 3rd sector/charity, engineering, chemicals, nuclear, manufacturing, management consulting and the utilities/energy sectors.
Mr. Drake was previously on the operating board of HR solutions company Penna. He also served as chair of the Interim Management Association, which represents the majority of established and leading interim management recruiters operating in the U.K. market. Earlier in his career, he was a director at Executive Assets Ltd & Buchanan Scott.
“This is an exciting time to be joining the business, and to spearhead the growth of Harvey Nash Executive Search and Impact Executives,” said Mr. Drake. “Its international reach, high quality and values-based approach, along with brand strength, ideally places it as a partner to provide board and leadership advice. And for organizations facing technology, or digital change within their industry and business models, Harvey Nash is well positioned to support with the executive and leadership talent for the future.”
Recent Growth
With staff in more than 40 offices across Europe, Asia and the U.S., Harvey Nash provides executive search & leadership services, professional recruitment and outsourcing services to an array of industries. In addition to Singapore, Harvey Nash has teams operating in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Vietnam.
Recruitment veteran Adrian Gunn was recently brought on board as a non-executive director. Mr. Gunn is a council member at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and former director at engineering recruiter Matchtech.
In addition, the firm appointed a new group finance director. Mark Garratt will take the place of Richard Ashcroft for the firm. Previously, Mr. Garratt was global chief financial officer of Ingeus Group. He has also worked with Cordant Group, Reed Health Group and the National Fostering Agency.
“We are delighted that Mark is joining the board as group finance director,” said Julie Baddeley, Harvey Nash’s chairperson. “His extensive experience in the recruitment sector, as well as his corporate finance experience, will be important attributes as we continue to develop the group’s businesses.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
