Diverse leadership teams outperform their competitors

Diversity

We strongly believe that Boards and executive teams are enhanced by embracing gender, ethnic and cultural diversity.

We encourage our clients to consider candidates who bring different perspectives and experiences, with the belief that this leads to demonstrably better performance. We are big believers in backing potential and constantly challenge ourselves and our clients to broaden the pool of candidates and to be brave in considering rising stars and less conventional options.

‘MWM go beyond the job specification, thinking about what the organisation is really trying to solve for, and the business challenge that is being addressed.’

CHRO, Top 10 European Financial Services Business

‘The process is always rewarding – challenging, provocative, and strives to make us think differently about where to find great talent.’

Group HR Director, FTSE 250

‘MWM think outside the box, and bring a knowledge and understanding of the talent market that allows them to stand apart relative to competitors.’

Managing Partner, US Biotech Fund

‘The service feels personal and the advice is always very generous – there is a shared motivation for long-term success.’

Chair, Euronext 100

Gender diversity

Since our inception we have consistently championed gender diversity. In 2009, we launched our Women on Boards initiative, aimed at helping rising female talent to secure their first board roles, and have developed a database of high-quality, high-potential women ready for their first non-executive role. In 2010 we wrote Cracking the Code which explores how to drive change and increase gender diversity at an executive level.

We chaired the group of search firms who drew up the UK industry’s Code of Conduct on gender diversity in 2011 and were one of its founder signatories; we have played a leading role in its development since then. We are one of the small number of firms accredited by the Hampton-Alexander Committee, for our leading work in promoting gender diversity; nearly half of our Non-Executive appointments over the last five years have been of women, many to their first Boards, and we have placed nearly a fifth of the women on FTSE 100 Boards.

Ethnic and cultural diversity

We challenge our clients to take an active approach to ethnic and cultural diversity, whilst recognising that this needs to be understood in the context of each individual organisation. We have a truly global outlook and are highly sensitive to the complexities of this agenda.

We led the work to broaden the Industry’s Code of Conduct to include ethnic diversity. We were a founder signatory to the CBI’s Change the Race Ratio Campaign and are an active supporter of the #10000BlackInterns programme. We have a strong track record in appointing BAME candidates both to Boards and executive roles across the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250.

Internally, we are committed to a diverse workforce: two thirds of our team are women including half of our partners, and nearly 20% of our professional staff are BAME.