The Client
Boyden's client was a UK-based, private equity-backed technology-enabled services business supporting organizations across the UK and Europe. Combining strategic consultancy, technology solutions, and managed services, the company helps clients modernize their technology environments, strengthen resilience, and accelerate digital transformation.
The Challenge
After three years of stalled growth, the Board needed to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer who could reignite commercial momentum, create an AI journey, and develop and deliver an ambitious, sustainable go-to-market growth strategy.
A key part of the brief was to assess the capabilities of the existing leadership team and ensure alignment behind a transformation agenda that would return the business to growth.
While strong leadership was essential, long-term success would also depend on winning the confidence of employees, strengthening engagement, and building belief in the new direction of the business.
The Solution
Boyden developed a targeted longlist through recommendations, its network, and intelligence-led market research. Working closely with the Chair and private equity sponsor, Boyden refined the shortlist through rigorous screening interviews and psychometric assessment.
The Board interviewed a final shortlist of five candidates and unanimously agreed on its preferred appointment. Following further in-depth interviews, the Board formally appointed the new CEO.
The successful candidate, who had not been actively seeking a move, was attracted by the opportunity to lead a significant business transformation. The executive brought a strong technology background and most recently worked for a competitor. An early career within a large global technology company provided deep experience in structure, rigour, and process, while subsequent leadership roles in small and medium-sized businesses developed the pace, agility, and adaptability required for the mandate.
The Results
The impact was swift. Within three months of the CEO's appointment:
- The sales pipeline had strengthened considerably.
- Employee engagement had increased by 30%.
- The leadership team had been strengthened.
- Created an AI strategy that is agile and sustainable.
These early results gave the private equity owners renewed confidence in the business's ability to deliver its value creation plan.
The Impact
The appointment brought together the technology experience, transformation capability, and leadership agility required to reset the direction of the business.
With stronger employee engagement, leadership capability, and commercial momentum, the business had begun to establish the foundations for its return to sustainable growth.
