Case study
Fine Lady Bakeries
Managing Director
Opportunity
Following a personal recommendation to the Board, Eden had an initial meeting with three family Directors. After successfully winning a competitive tender process to partner with the Director, Eden was selected as the exclusive search partner to appoint a Managing Director to lead Fine Lady Bakeries.
“Our experience of working with David and his team at Eden was extremely positive. They quickly got to know our business, our culture and our history and were therefore in the best possible position to offer us excellent advice and direction throughout the project. Every meeting and interview was well managed and researched and all of the candidates proposed were of a very high standard. We are very happy with the outcome.” Sarah Heygate.
Our approach
In depth discussions with the Directors confirmed that this was a pivotal and exciting opportunity. Succeeding two long serving joint Managing Directors, the new MD would embrace the opportunity to bring an energised and modern approach to continue to evolve the performance of one of the leading bakery businesses in the UK with unparallelled operational investment. The ideal candidate would also have ultimate responsibility for the P&L but also utilise the strength of the wider Heygate Group and embrace the strong family values that drive long-term decision making.
Eden’s search team identified 85 potential candidates operating in highly dynamic, own-label fresh food manufacturing sectors. The Head of Research led the engagement phase, targeting candidates with significant experience in scaling operations with supermarket customers and driving commercial and operational excellence.
The results
Eden’s comprehensive search produced a shortlist of five highly qualified candidates, each with different but relevant experience leading the most highly regarded food businesses in the UK. Following a rigorous 4-stage interview process, a standout candidate was appointed. With extensive industry expertise and proven leadership experience gains from the likes of Samworth and Greencore, the Managing Director is well positioned to lead the Fine Lady Bakeries business with the support and guidance of the Heygate family