CASE STUDY

Recruiting a Chinese NED

Situation

A FTSE 250 international B2B services company was looking to appoint a Non-Executive Director who would bring deep and current experience of operating in China.  Candidates needed to be Chinese nationals based in the region.

Approach

We used both our extensive network and cold research to map the Chinese market, focusing on the European and US headquartered multinationals with significant operations in China.  It was important to ensure that candidates had international exposure as well as bringing local expertise as they would be required to make a broad contribution to the Board debate and be culturally sensitive and comfortable operating in a UK listed environment.  We met candidates face-to-face if possible or by video conference if not. 

Impact

The shortlist comprised four (two male, two female) highly respected, well-known Chinese business leaders, any of which the client would have been happy to appoint.  Ultimately, a Chinese woman who had recently stepped down as President Greater China of a major FTSE 100 organisation was selected.  In her first year on the Board she is making a significant impact.