As clients and candidates of MorePeople already know we think of ourselves as not simply a recruiter but more a ‘People Solutions Provider’. The nature of the MorePeople team - unequalled in our sector in the depth of their practical experience, means that the culture within the business is naturally a more consultative one than is usually found in most mainstream recruiters. It is through this consultative approach and listening to the needs of our clients that many of our value added services have evolved e.g. MorePerformance - our training and development business and MoreTalent - our graduate development programme.

One other service that also evolved through discussions and consultations with clients and various network partners, such as the HSBC Bank plc, has been the provision of Non-Executive Directors. Most people think of Non-Execs as a sort of ‘Plc policeman’, something that’s only useful for big companies that need to comply with complicated rules on things like ‘corporate governance’. That may be the role that many associate them with but the reality is that many small to medium sized businesses also benefit from the expertise, insight and network of contacts that an experienced Non-Exec candidate can deliver.

Over the last 9 years we have placed high calibre non-exec candidates into several businesses that are now reaping the benefit of having them on board. The focus of their roles are varied and range from mentoring siblings in a growing family business, to helping companies gain access to corporate finance or devise an exit strategy for the owners. One thing they all have in common however, is that they are all seasoned professionals, experts in their particular area and all keen to make sure that they can still make use of the skills and expertise they’ve acquired over their working lives – and contrary to popular belief they are not all accountants! Non-execs can come from varied backgrounds and disciplines. The key factor has to be that they must have high levels of personal integrity and the strength of character to provide independent and impartial advice that’s based on sound business acumen and keeps the long term interests of the business at the core of everything that they do.

2009 has been a tough year for lots of businesses. Indeed the early part of the year in particular saw economic conditions that even hardened professionals of 30 years or more standing had never experienced. So for most people in 2010, as they say, ‘ things can only get better’. However, you can be sure that there will always be challenges ahead – that’s just the nature of business and whilst no one can guarantee that they have all the answers, having access to an experienced non-executive professional, or professionals, can certainly help businesses and managers avoid some of the less obvious pitfalls that they might otherwise encounter.  

MorePeople’s Non-Exec service is managed by our Associate Director Ian Merton. As the former Head of Fresh Food for Sainsbury’s Plc, Ian exemplifies many of the characteristics described above. He has a real passion for the sector, a formidable bank of experience to draw on and an extensive network of contacts built up over a career that has spanned over 40 years in all aspects of the fresh food and retail supply chain. In 2010 Ian will be heading up a series of initiatives aimed at raising the profile of this valuable role within our sectors. We know from past experience that companies who use the services of a non-exec director derive real benefits, not only internally from the advice given but also externally in how they are perceived by their banks, their peers, and crucially their customers.

Of course you don’t have to wait until 2010 to find out more about our non-exec services! Why not contact Ian today? Whether you are an experienced senior manager looking to develop a ‘portfolio’ of non-exec director roles or a company on the look out for that ‘extra dimension’ that an experienced non-exec director can deliver, then we’d love to hear from you.

Give Ian a call on 07776 227226 or e-mail him at ian@morepeople.co.uk.