A GP Federation had approved a new organisational structure and was preparing for its next phase of growth. Two newly created executive roles were critical to its success, and would establish the organisation's first senior leadership team.
The Chief Executive Officer and Director of Operations appointments would establish the organisation's senior leadership team and shape its future direction. Beyond identifying capable candidates, the process needed leaders who could build credibility quickly, work collaboratively across the wider health system and establish board confidence from day one.
The appointments were overseen by the Chair alongside two external partners, with multiple stakeholders holding different views on the leader the organisation required. Rather than working from an existing brief, Oakmyre worked alongside the organisation to shape both the job and person specifications, ensuring stakeholders were aligned before the search began, all while the wider healthcare landscape was undergoing significant change.
Rather than relying on advertising, Oakmyre undertook a targeted search, proactively approaching senior leaders through established relationships and sector knowledge. A bespoke process was designed around the organisation. One of the most successful elements was an engagement event held before formal interviews, giving candidates the chance to meet system partners and make genuinely informed decisions. In total the search identified 134 leaders, shortlisted 13, and made both appointments within eight weeks.
Both executive appointments were made successfully within eight weeks, with notice periods negotiated to enable both leaders to join within six weeks. Both remain in post and continue to make a significant contribution, providing the foundation for the organisation's next phase of development.
Every engagement begins with a conversation.