Greater Manchester Moving
Greater Manchester Moving (GM Moving) is a Greater Manchester charity and across the Manchester city region, they play a strategic leadership role in support of the GM Moving in Action strategy. Nationally, they are one of 43 active partnerships; a network across the country who work collaboratively to create the conditions for an active nation and work closely with their funder Sport England to support the local implementation of the Uniting the Movement Strategy.
Formally known as GreaterSport, on 1st of September 2023 the charity became Greater Manchester Moving. This rebrand reflects their long-term ambitions for the health of the people of Greater Manchester and their mission to embed physical activity across every realm of public life, education and work.
Head of Finance
In early 2024, Sherrington Associates were appointed as the retained executive search partner to recruit a replacement for the retiring Finance Director. Following a consultation over the level of role and job title, it was decided a Head of Finance would be required to lead the charity's finances through a period of imminent growth.
The Head of Finance would be responsible for leading and creating a strong financial management culture within the organisation, working alongside the Strategic Director and the Audit and Risk committee to set the long-term strategic finance direction and maintaining the performance of GM Moving’s financial performance and sustainability.
This role includes:
- Overall responsibility for the effective and efficient management of the charity's finances and financial systems and controls
- Management of cash flow including ensuring robust internal controls
- Effective management of staff monthly salaries in conjunction with external agencies (Trafford Council, HMRC, Greater Manchester Pension Fund).
- Working with external auditors on statutory accounts and annual audit.
- Maintaining relationships with external organisations and investors. Managing, leading and developing the finance team.
The Search
To achieve a successful appointment, the Sherrington team would need to adopt a partnership approach to recruiting this position. Not having worked with a retained search partner previously, our team would be instrumental in supporting the client's development of a credible recruitment pack to showcase the opportunity to potential candidates and determine a clear brief with which to recruit against.
Our researchers carried out extensive desk research into third sector organisations in Greater Manchester, identifying highly capable finance leaders ready to take the number one finance role in GM Moving's organisation. To supplement the target list, our team also tapped into our extensive network of third sector leaders from across the region to gain recommendations and referrals. Lastly we advertised the position on the Sherrington Associates website which was also shared on key media platforms to attract active candidates to supplement the growing list of passive candidates engaged through the headhunting campaign.
Assessment
Having consulted extensively about the culture and values of the organisation through the briefing stages, our team used Barrett Values Centre Personal Values Assessments (PVAs) to gauge alignment of candidate's leadership values with the shared values of the charity. This helped build a picture of the likely cultural assimilation, and helped the client build a picture of the primary motivators of each candidate.
Using these insights to add an extra layer of granularity to the insights gained through our own competency interviews, the team provided a shortlist of relevant candidates to the client and supported the facilitation of client interviews.
Results
Following an extensive and exhaustive search over several weeks, a candidate was ultimately appointed following completion of their notice period. Former Finance Manager of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Caroline Grime, joined GM Moving in Spring 2024. Sherrington's team caught up with clients shortly after to discuss a successful outcome to the search.
