Retained search to appoint a Head of SHEQ

Hutchinson Engineering Limited is a privately owned engineering business located in Widnes, Cheshire. With annual revenues exceeding £20m and a workforce of over 130 full time employees, they are one of the leading names in steel fabrication the North West region delivering major projects and onsite engineering contracts for customers in a range of sectors with a major focus on the renewable energy sector, supporting clients in offshore wind with design, engineering, surface treatment and installation.

Hutchinson retained Sherrington Associate's services in February 2017 to help recruit a new Head of SHEQ to deliver a Health & Safety transformational change programme and lead the company strategy for environmental and quality management. Key to the brief was finding a highly experienced SHEQ leader who could fit with Hutchinson's core behaviours of teamwork, respect, responsibility, leadership and excellence.

The Search

Sherrington developed an extensive target list of North West based industrial engineering business, oil and gas contractors, chemical plants and competitor steel fabrication companies. After a series of highly confidential approaches were made, a longlist was selected of candidates with backgrounds in health and safety transformation and complex project management within a relevant industrial environment. The longlist was discussed with the client ahead of competency interviews with Sherrington's team and behavioural assessments, also carried out by Sherrington Associates.

Sherrington supported the client to identify key traits and behaviours of the required candidate. Longlisted candidates were assessed based on both 'values fit', 'experiential profile' and 'behavioural traits' before selecting a final shortlist which was presented to the client for final selection. Final interviews were carried out by Hutchinson and a successful appointment was made.