Soda Folk, a Stage 2 craft soda brand, was experiencing steep growth in the UK. However, with the founder a full time financier based in the US, he knew the business needed an experienced MD to take it to the next level.
Finding someone the founder could trust was key. This came down to both technical capability and the right personality match.
This was the first time Ken was hiring someone of this level into his business and so we began with a detailed role consultation to understand his ambitions for the business. From there, we could help him write a detailed job description and candidate pack.
We researched the market and spoke to over 50 candidates. Within a week, we had introduced him to 3 very impressive but sufficiently different profiles. After 2 interviews with each candidate the founder was so impressed he flew over to the UK to meet all 3 candidates and have them complete a task.
It was a difficult decision between the three, but the founder could easily see Simon as the leader in his business. The whole process from first brief to acceptance of offer was complete within 4 weeks.
Simon thrived in the role and lept straight into the position. Since joining Soda Folk, he has completed a significant fundraise, hired new team members and grown almost 4x.
As testament to their successful growth, Young Foodies have welcomed Soda Folk into our Community of leading challenger brands.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Young Foodies builds relationships with their candidates and customers so that they understand you and your needs. I've been at both ends of their recruitment team, firstly when hiring a new Marketing Manager, and then they found me my perfect MD role in a fantastic business - and now we are part of the Community too."
We were delighted to have helped Ken find his new managing director in Simon. A search like this is not easy - it requires a deep understanding of both the business and the people behind it. Leadership teams are as much about the emotional connection as anything else.
When we spoke to Simon about the role we felt so confident he was going to be the perfect man for the job. The impact he has had since joining Soda Folk is staggering and we are so happy to have been able to play a role in that.
We look forward to working with the Soda Folk team as they continue to go from strength to strength.
Our executive search team can help you find directors and leaders for your business.
I went for lunch the other day with a senior leader from the worlds’ biggest retailer and, when we asked what they look for in the brands they scale with, the answer was “founders that genuinely hear other perspectives”.
Bringing it back to first principles means to step back and ask the question ‘why’? It means creating space in the working week to think. It means starting with a blank piece of paper.
Bringing it back to first principles means to step back and ask the question ‘why’? It means creating space in the working week to think. It means starting with a blank piece of paper.
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