Experienced counsel at critical moments

If you had invested in public firms when MWM has appointed the CEO, your TSR would have beaten both the local market index and peer groups by +20% per annum on average.

Our approach to helping Boards in selecting CEOs is characterised by six core features:

A carefully tailored process: every situation is different, and we believe in adapting our process insightfully to reflect that unique context, rather than seeking to apply ‘a one size fits all’ approach.

A high-touch, advisory model: We add value as much through the advice we give to Boards throughout the process – helping them to avoid pitfalls, providing counsel and challenge on their thinking and helping to ‘land’ the preferred candidate – as through our search and assessment work.

Clarity and alignment on the ‘brief’: great search work always starts with a sharp and aligned understanding across the Board of the opportunities and challenges facing the business and, in that context, the optimal profile the next CEO will bring – in terms of experience, capabilities and leadership style.

A blend of rigour and creativity in identifying candidates: we are skilled at researching the centre target space in a structured and comprehensive way. As a boutique, we give you access to all potential candidates in the whole global market unconstrained by the global or local off-limits that exist for all large executive search firms.

A focus on potential, not just experience: we believe that the most successful CEO appointments are usually ones where the Board has chosen to back a future star where potential is allied to a strong track record, rather than established candidates with a shallower trajectory. In our assessments, we therefore focus in particular on the characteristics that indicate future potential

A rigorous process that leaves all stakeholders confident in the outcome: it is critical the whole Board are supportive of the final choice and feel that they have been fully and openly involved in all key decisions; external stakeholders (eg investors and regulators) must be confident that the process has been thorough and objective

‘In MWM, I found a firm that would challenge my thinking and help me find people in the next generation of real potential.’

Partner, Private Equity

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

FTSE 250, Group HR Director

‘MWM bring an insight which is different, which is refreshing, and which challenges us as the client.’

Group HR Director, FTSE 10

‘MWM combine a deep interest not only in the people, but also the business they serve and the challenges faced.’

Chair, FTSE 250