Commercial Director

The Brief

The Armitt Group are a privately-owned family-owned steel logistics company headquartered in Merseyside and with a heritage dating back to the 1950’s. Operating a steel warehousing business providing just-in-time logistics for the automotive sector (Widnes Steel Store Ltd), a marine fuel supply business (Mersey Bunkering Ltd) and a ships agency and chartering business (Frank Armitt & Son Ltd), they required a highly experienced Commercial Director to lead the growth of the group business in 2015 and beyond.

The Search

Sherrington Associates were retained and conducted deep research into the shipping and logistics sectors across the UK and Europe. Tapping into a well-established network of senior director contacts in these industries, we were able to assemble a long-list that consisted not just newly-identified potential targets, but also well-recommended referrals who had worked with and alongside other clients in parallel industry sectors. After examining the long-list at the client’s head offices we decided on a selection of candidates to be invited for preliminary interviews with Sherrington Associates.

The Result

After assessing the candidates face to face using a predetermined competency framework, we fed back the results to the client who after their own interview and selection process, eventually offered the role to the candidate they believed could add the most long-term value to the group – ex Commercial Director for DFDS shipping lines Nicholas Marshall. After supporting with package negotiations and reference gathering, the candidate joined Armitt Group in January 2015 and has been quick to make an impact, supporting the business with a major new project to open a brand new logistics facility in the South. Sherrington were praised by Armitt’s Group Managing Director for excellent delivery at every stage of the search.