Case Study
Supporting Gender Diversity in the energy industry
The Situation
A global energy giant wanted to improve the gender ratio within the supply chain of its lubricants division. Whilst already culturally diverse, they lacked significant female representation at the management or leadership levels. Although this was also a priority for the Group as a whole, they had a particular focus in this business function due to the endemic underrepresentation of women in the supply chain sector.
“I really can’t remember the last time I rated anything top marks! BIE has been superb from identifying a match to navigating and concluding the process. I’m struggling to put anything down to improve, which is annoying.”
Nikki Flanders, Chief Operating Officer, Opus Energy
The Solution
BIE partnered with the senior leadership team to support the ambitious gender balance targets set by the Board. We worked to appoint a role model hire for the business as well as providing an ongoing female succession strategy through the wider supply chain organisation. BIE’s executive search team delivered diverse candidate shortlists with at least 50% female representation from across a Europe-wide target universe. BIE further supported the business to overcome individual unconscious bias throughout the recruitment process.
The Outcome
Through appointments at multiple levels, we were not only able to define a clear line of female succession but to also create a strong female peer group with subject matter expertise. BIE developed a rigorous Europe-wide search approach with better female supply chain representation. This was combined with a process ensuring that employee branding, role specifications and shortlists were attractive from a D&I perspective. New female talent was introduced at regional and country leadership levels whilst ensuring all new hiring decisions were based on a tight set of predefined technical capabilities.
"I really can’t remember the last time I rated anything top marks! BIE has been superb from identifying a match to navigating and concluding the process. I'm struggling to put anything down to improve, which is annoying."
Nikki Flanders, Chief Operating Officer, Opus Energy
"I enjoyed working with Celine. She was able to translate a skill/experience need into a person. She has good judgement around the fit of an individual and I trust her to provide great candidates. The process from raising a need to the start of the interim was swift! Thanks."
Christina Humphrey, HR Director at K3 Business Technology Group
"Rob and his team have been a delight to work with. They appreciate that everyone is busy and add value in a tailored way that makes recruitment stress free."
Naser Khan, Finance Director at Bestway Holdings plc
"Due to the circumstances we faced, we needed to build an effective management team who could have an instant impact and set us on the path to success. BIE really understood the time pressure we were under and successfully delivered the right solution for our situation and needs."
Carl Harring, Managing Director, UK, Benelux & Nordics, H.I.G. Capital
"I’m constantly recommending BIE to both potential candidates and the companies I work for because I have built in-depth relationships with all the BIE colleagues I interact with. They know what’s best for me and what’s best for the clients. It’s a good fit!"
Teri Ellison, Chief Human Resources Officer at SHL
"I have a long-term relationship with BIE as both client and candidate. Successive "generations" of BIE staff have provided consistently high service and a reliable source of candidates to me as a client…and I have been a successful candidate myself too!"
Jamie Gunn, Chief Operating Officer, SmartFocus
"First rate service from Simon. I saw one candidate and hired him on the spot. "
Glynn Thomas, Serial Executive Chairman for distressed businesses
"James Gherardi and his team, with their strategic approach to placements, provided me with excellent support throughout the whole process. Starting with a very honest discovery conversation about the role through to managing the logistics of the first phase of the assignment."
Jan Jakubowski, Programme Manager at MSD
"Attentive, insightful recruitment. They build long-term relationships and are commercially flexible."
Sean Cleary, former Head of Finance at Rail Delivery Group/ATOC
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