On Thursday 10th October, the team celebrated another incredible year with approximately 100 guests at the Abode Hotel in Chester for the third Sherrington Autumn Reception. Wanting to inspire guests in the wake of mounting 'Brexit-uncertainty', the 2019 event took a slightly different theme from years gone by, focusing on 'Life & Death Leadership' instead of the usual horizon-gazing of the executive talent landscape at previous receptions.
Sherrington's Managing Director Rob McKay opened with a positive summary of the twelve months since the 2018 reception, describing key milestones, including the delivery of a number of retained executive search assignments for clients old and new, as well as the expansion of the business with the appointment of Laura as Sherrington's new Executive Search Consultant. Milestones also included Rob's appointment as the new Chair of the Institute of Directors in Cheshire as well as the team's fundraising collaboration with Chester Zoo as it plans to race a group of leaders in the Borneo Ultra Trails Marathon in 2021.
Describing some exciting plans for the future, including the further development of Sherrington's executive assessment capability, new offices and further recruitment into 2020, Rob then made the connection to the evening's main speaker by describing his own experience of recruiting executive directors for the RNLI in 2012 and how 'mindset' prevails as the most fundamental criteria of any leader's profile.
Over a long career in executive search I've noticed universal traits shared by all of the most inspiring leaders I've interviewed... absolute selflessness and a relentless commitment to the cause.
Rob McKay
What followed was, without question, the most powerful and emotional speech ever heard at a Sherrington reception. Paul Rowlands told the story of his incredible rescue by his 13 year old son after a kayaking accident two miles off the coast of Anglesey last February, a rescue which earned young Joe the Queen's Award for Bravery.
Paul played a short video of the episode of BBC Two's 'Saving Lives at Sea', which featured the dramatic event last year, before drawing on poignant comparisons between Joe's leadership on the day and leadership lessons in the business world. Inspiration and influence were the two key themes of the speech, a speech which had many guests in tears as Paul's heartfelt delivery illustrated the reality of an event that could have been fatal had it not been for the mental fortitude and utter selflessness of a young boy.
When facing life or death, often it's the most unlikeliest of leaders who come to the fore.
Paul Rowlands
Guests went on to socialise and enjoy the hospitality until late. Feedback from guests was incredibly positive and with some even commenting that it had been the most enjoyable business event they'd been to this year. Over £430 was raised in cash on the night for Moelfre Lifeboat Station and with more donations continuing to come in via online donations, we're expecting to exceed last year's fundraising efforts. Anybody still wishing to donate can do so here...
https://justgiving.com/fundraising/sherringtonrnli
A huge thank you to all who donated and all who joined us for this wonderful evening.
Team Sherrington
