Driving Transformation Amid Global Defense Challenges
Challenge
A UK-based private equity firm, having acquired a long-established European defense manufacturing company, recognized the need for strong leadership to navigate the increasing complexities of the global defense market. The firm sought to stabilize the business, which had experienced multiple ownership changes over the past decade, and position it for growth, innovation, and global expansion. Given the strategic importance of the U.S. defense market—home to the world’s largest military and a key influencer of NATO equipment standards—the private equity owners prioritized establishing a robust U.S. leadership presence. The primary objective was to appoint a Chairman who could bring clarity, energy, and stability to the organization while addressing immediate leadership gaps, including replacing both the CEO and CFO. TRANSEARCH USA was tasked with identifying a Chairman capable of navigating these challenges while fostering organizational resilience and driving growth.The Search Partner
TRANSEARCH’s longstanding global reputation and collaborative cross-border approach were key to being retained for this critical assignment. With deep expertise in leadership acquisition for defense and manufacturing sectors, TRANSEARCH engaged in comprehensive discussions with the private equity firm to define key performance criteria and leadership attributes necessary for success. TRANSEARCH’s proprietary evaluation methodology, Orxestra®, ensures alignment on cultural fit, leadership capabilities, and strategic vision. This collaborative process allowed TRANSEARCH to move swiftly and efficiently to deliver a strong slate of candidates. Unfortunately for the client, the CEO in place was floundering, forcing an interim solution at the top spot, so the Chairman search was placed on hold for 90 days. TRANSEARCH kept the two finalists at war, thus allowing the search to continue in April once the dust had settled.Solution
TRANSEARCH initiated the search in October 2022 and presented the successful candidate just 33 days later, in early November. The assignment was completed in April 2023 after a 90-day pause in the search process. The comprehensive search process included:
- Contacting 87 candidates
- Shortlisting 8 candidates
- Facilitating interviews with 6 candidates alongside the client
- Advancing 4 candidates to second interviews, with 3 finalists considered during compensation discussions
The appointed Chairman brought an exceptional blend of experience, having served as a CEO, Board Member, and Chairman within military hardware manufacturing and procurement. Based in the Washington, D.C. metro area, he understood the complexities of U.S. defense procurement and had no conflicts of interest—an essential consideration given the sensitive nature of the industry. Notably, the candidate was ready to tackle leadership transitions early in his tenure, successfully overseeing the replacement of the CEO and CFO.
Results
By August 2023, the Chairman was fully in place and had selected a new CEO to run the business. The assignment marked a significant turning point for the company. Under the new Chairman’s guidance, the company has:- Launched a revamped website that better reflects the company’s global reach and modernized identity
- Implemented a streamlined product expansion strategy to increase its footprint in global defense markets
- Established clear organizational priorities with renewed focus, stability, and operational excellence
