Rowan recruits on route to record year

Chorley-based Rowan Executive Search has announced several high-profile announcements in its tenth anniversary year, which is set to be its most prosperous yet.

The consultancy specialises in the recruitment of board directors and management teams for private and family-owned small and medium-sized businesses and those backed by private equity, to help owners and stakeholders achieve their growth ambitions.

Founded in 2011 by Paul Waite (pictured), Richard Robinson and David Anwyl, Rowan is forecasting revenues of £3.2m for 2021, a rise of nearly 40 per cent on last year’s £2.3m.

The team has been strengthened by the appointments of Iain Duncan, Mark Fahy and Johnathan Massey.

Iain, a former senior manager at HSBC with over 36 years’ banking experience, has joined as an external funding consultant to work with Rowan’s SME client base.

Mark, who spent 14 years in senior roles at London Stock Exchange and was then head of new business at corporate finance boutique Rickitt Mitchell, has joined Rowan as an associate director advising companies looking at a flotation.

Johnathan has joined as an associate director to head a new division focusing on non-executive director roles and to advise clients seeking to raise investment. His move to Rowan marks a return to the executive search industry where he began his professional career. He subsequently worked for more than 15 years in private equity and corporate finance at firms including Ardenton, Palatine, Mazars and Aberdeen Asset Managers.

Paul Waite, managing director, said: "Our focus is solely on the SME market, working with companies looking to secure the right talent to help them drive performance and realise their growth ambitions.

"Our success during our first decade in business is a reflection of the foundations laid at the beginning of our journey by the founders, the tremendous support of our very talented team, and the richness of a thriving and successful north west business community, who have the vision and courage to back themselves and their ideas to create great businesses.

“It is particularly gratifying to help founders, candidates and investors build successful boards and management teams in the north west, and to expand their businesses on a national and international level in these challenging times."

Rowan's clients include e-commerce fulfilment business Fulfilmentcrowd, where Rowan recently worked with the owners to recruit a new chairman and other senior executives, paving the way for PE investment and an exit for one of its shareholders. Other clients include Clubhouse Golf, SpaMedica, Eque2, Utiligroup, Lakelovers and MPM Products.

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