Standish Executive Search Opens Office in New Hampshire

July 16, 2018 – Providence, RI-headquartered Standish Executive Search has opened a new office in Bedford, NH in an effort to better serve clients throughout northern New England. Principal Kelley Small, a long-time New Hampshire resident, will lead the firm’s Granite State office.

“Mid-size and smaller businesses located in New Hampshire that are addressing growth, change or succession challenges are a primary focus for our firm,” said Ms. Small. “While today’s technology allows us to communicate with businesses located anywhere, we find nothing compares with the ability to be a short drive away from our clients’ locations and meet with them face to face.”

Advanced and sophisticated companies in New Hampshire are a growing part of the state’s economy. “As New Hampshire’s population of Baby Boomers continues to increase, business succession is a key consideration for many in the Granite State’s business community,” said Ms. Small.

Seasoned Advisor

Ms. Small is a seasoned business and organization advisor for mid-sized and smaller companies, government, and professional organizations. In addition to her executive search practice at Standish, she serves as an advisor and leadership director to CEO Connection. She is also focused on helping women leaders to achieve positions in the C-suite and on boards in the mid-market space. Previously, she was the founder and president of Newfound Business Solutions, which she led from 2006 to 2017.

Standish Executive Search was established in 2012 by Stanley H. Davis. The firm’s clients are primarily family-owned and privately held businesses engaged in the manufacturing, B2B services and not-for-profit sectors. Mr. Davis is recognized as a leader in organization building and business transformations. He formerly served as chief human resources officer for the American National Red Cross in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Small recently sat down with Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss the opening of the firm’s new office as well as the New Hampshire economy. Here are some excerpts from that interview.

Kelley, what led to the firm opening a new location in New Hampshire?

Standish is highly attuned to the fact that the New Hampshire economy is very strong and from an employee standpoint, the value proposition for working here is significant. The full package of what New Hampshire can offer to executives is quite extensive – quality of life, great services, tax benefits, safety and recreation. I am one of those executives who can speak to all of the above. I am able to “live the dream” on a beautiful New Hampshire lake and be where I need to be for our clients within two hours.

Can you describe some of the search work you will be conducting out of the new office and what the search market is like in the region?

Our focus is on mid-sized and small companies that have never hired a search firm. They need guidance that moves beyond the search. We work with each client to help determine their needs based on where they want to go, not where they currently are. Our clients, who represent many different industries throughout the state, have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of candidates that we bring to their door.

“The full package of what New Hampshire can offer to executives is quite extensive – quality of life, great services, tax benefits, safety and recreation.”

What types of businesses are here?

New Hampshire is home to many family owned and operated businesses that are facing their exit from a company that family members have built and nourished for many years. Having come from one of those businesses, I can relate to the emotional struggles that these business owners are facing. Standish specializes in working with these businesses as they position themselves for a sale or transfer of leadership.

Have areas like New Hampshire become more popular for executives who chose to work from a home office?

Working from home has become popular in all areas of our country. However, the companies that fit our client profile need the executives to be present within the business itself. Many of our clients do not have the luxury of being over-staffed, so adding or replacing that important C-suite role makes it imperative to be involved in all areas of the business.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media