Yorkshire-based senior appointments see 32% rise

Yorkshire based FMCG, specialist engineering, online-retail and construction companies are continuing to experience success as there is a significant increase in senior appointments across the region, according to leading executive search firm Parkinson Lee.

The demand for finance and commercial directors, as well as interim appointments, to work for businesses experiencing rapid growth and diversification, or undergoing a significant restructure, is reportedly spearheading the rise, with 32% more roles filled up to the end of May in comparison to the previous quarter, according to the firm.

These results come after a recent report from BDO LLP revealed that the top 250 businesses in Yorkshireare seeing positive results from their post-recession recovery - surpassing the £100bn mark and cash stockpiles increasing by 43.7%.

Lee Bhandal, Parkinson Lee’s Managing Partner, said: “Over the last quarter we have seen a significant increase in the number of companies looking to appoint at executive level as a result of plans to grow and diversify their offering, often resulting in the need to further strengthen the management team.

“Interim roles have also been boosted by a string of mergers and acquisitions across the region, whereby many businesses look for a cost effective way of securing experienced personnel across a myriad of disciplines to support them during a time of great change.”

As Yorkshire is home to many of the UK’s leading companies in construction and FMCG, as well as more recent up-starts in online-retail, Lee claimed that the increase in senior level opportunities in those sectors is “only natural.”

He said: “Yorkshire has a lot to offer businesses, and with further infrastructure investment planned in the coming months and years it is not surprising that we are seeing an influx of new, tech-led organisations, or that the older more established construction, FMCG and engineering companies continue to base their operations here.

“Irrespective of sector the need for an all-encompassing management team displaying a comprehensive set of skills is required across the board.”

Parkinson Lee’s search team also reported that companies were taking “the necessary time in sourcing the right individuals”, with the average role taking six to eight weeks to fill.

Lee said: “As the economy continues to get back on track, and especially since the election, a lot of businesses have a much clearer idea of the path ahead. To that end, most of our clients are committed to investing the necessary time to ensure that the right candidate with the right expertise is found to help them on their journey.

“With our extensive local networks we are well placed to find the right executives within the region, though when the mandate dictates we have the resources and expertise to source individuals on a national and international basis.”