Client Testimonials
Mike Pearson, Director of Governance & Digital Services, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
First Flight was commissioned by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority to undertake a Board Composition Analysis of the Authority’s trading company, Red One Ltd. The objective was to identify: the skills the Board required to achieve its objectives; the skills the Board had; and any gaps / areas for Board improvement. In addition, First Flight was asked to develop a role brief, role description and specification for an independent non-executive director to act as Chair of the Board.
Based on the outcomes of the Board Composition Analysis, First Flight was then commissioned to undertake a search for an independent Chair and an additional non-executive director to address an identified skills gap on the Board.
Throughout the engagement, First Flight worked extremely well with officers and Members (Councillors) of the Authority and with the board of Red One. As a result of the engagement, two high calibre Non-Executive Director appointments were made, including a new Chair, which demonstrably improved the effectiveness of the Board.
Mike Pearson, Director of Governance & Digital Services, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
David Taylor, CEO, Oscar Propulsion Ltd.
Oscar Propulsion Ltd is an early stage business whose patented PressurePore technology provides radical benefits in fields as diverse as rowing oars, ship propellers and jet turbines. First Flight provided Oscar with our first four investor-directors who brought the top-level general management, financial, legal, and commercial skills we needed to make Oscar the success it is becoming. They formed the nucleus of a strong board to which we have subsequently added two further investor/directors (again through First Flight) with strong Marine backgrounds to help exploit our propeller technology. Our Board is now the highly professional and proficient team we needed to manage and grow the business.
First Flight has proven to be an excellent source of Board-level talent and investment to Oscar. I can strongly recommend their services.
David Taylor, CEO, Oscar Propulsion Ltd.
Troy Barratt, Managing Director, Contracts Engineering Ltd.
The existing Directors of Contacts Engineering made the decision to increase the operational and technical expertise we had at the Board level and we found First Flight’s deep experience pairing NEDs with companies to be second-to-none. As our first outside appointment since acquiring the company, it was critical we selected the right person to join the Board. Chris at First Flight showed deep understanding of our requirements and guided us through a process that has been a resounding success. Our new Non-Exec Chairman invested alongside the other Directors and has greatly increased both Board level discussions and how we manage Contracts Engineering Ltd. We have Chris to thank for managing a selection process that led to a perfect pairing and outcome.
Troy Barratt, Managing Director, Contracts Engineering Ltd.
Danny Smith, Head of HR Resourcing, BDB Pitmans LLP
BDB Pitmans LLP is an award winning top 60 UK Law Firm who decided they would benefit from bringing onto their Board their first Independent Non-Executive Director.
BDB Pitmans engaged with First Flight, a specialist Non Exec Search firm, as this was the first time we had appointed a Non Exec. We were looking for the right level of support and guidance to help us through the process and with First Flight’s assistance we drew up a list of specific skills and expertise we were looking for which was someone with a law firm background who had remuneration experience to determine appropriate levels of remuneration for our partners. This would include providing advice in relation to the design and implementation of bonus and long term incentive arrangements.
First Flight provided us with 7 candidates to interview who all met our agreed brief and we appointed a Non-Exec who had been the Managing Partner of Wilde Sapte and had the perfect credentials for what we were looking for plus the right cultural fit. We were very pleased with the professional support and guidance First Flight provided us with.
Danny Smith, Head of HR Resourcing, BDB Pitmans LLP
Rowena Ironside, Chair, Women on Boards
Women on Boards was delighted to have First Flight's support in recruiting our first independent non-executive directors. Fiona Driscoll, who was appointed in July, was one of several excellent candidates who heard about the role through First Flight. Women on Boards encourages organisations to "turn off the spotlight and turn on the floodlights" when recruiting NEDs and First Flight played a key part in enabling us to do just that, by identifying a fabulous new board member who was completely outside our network of contacts.
Rowena Ironside, Chair, Women on Boards
Andrew Newland, CEO, Angle plc
I am delighted to welcome Jan Groen to the Board of Angle. His knowledge and experience of this market will be of significant value to us as we progress the commercialisation of our Parsortix TM liquid biopsy solution. First Flight provided a long list of seven candidates that surprised us with its high quality and relevance, and we would have been pleased to appoint anyone from this list.
Andrew Newland, CEO, Angle plc
Stuart Green, Chief Executive, ZOO Digital Group plc
We are delighted to be welcoming Gillian as Chairman of the Board. Following a detailed search process, Gillian's relentless focus on business performance, growth and her track record of commercial business successes, coupled with excellent corporate governance skills, was central to the Board's selection decision. We are confident that Gillian will be a valuable asset and counsel to the Group as we continue the execution of our growth strategy.
Stuart Green, Chief Executive, ZOO Digital Group plc
Alun Aubrey, Chairman, Proactis plc
We are delighted to appoint Sophie Tomkins to the Board. As part of a Corporate Governance review the Board acknowledged that independence and strong Investor relations were skill sets that would complement the overall balance of the Board.
Alun Aubrey, Chairman, Proactis plc
Sarah Carpenter-Hanson, Head of Human Resources, IFoA
‘The IFoA engaged with First Flight to find a replacement Chair for one of our Boards and we were impressed with the process. We received an extensive and diverse long-list of candidates who met our criteria and we were pleased to appoint Grahame Stott, a high calibre candidate.’
Sarah Carpenter-Hanson
Head of Human Resources, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Barnaby Mote, CEO, 4sl Group
‘First Flight found us a Non-Executive Director, Mike Higgins, who is brilliant, I've learned a huge amount from him over the years.’
Barnaby Mote, CEO, 4sl Group
Mark Rayner, Managing Director, Firfield Property Services Ltd
‘The high calibre of interviewees meant we were spoilt for choice when it came to appointing our Non-Executive Chairman. We have been greatly impressed by First Flight’s attitude and the truly end-to-end service they provide – even after the role was filled they continue to provide support and guidance to ensure our needs remain met’
Mark Rayner, Managing Director, Firfield Property Services Ltd
Patrick Gifford, Chairman, Invesco Perpetual Select Trust PLC
‘First Flight delivered exactly what we asked for: a rigorous search process, insightful candidate reports, good value fees, and a high quality shortlist of very appointable NED candidates.’
Patrick Gifford, Chairman, Invesco Perpetual Select Trust PLC
Sian Roberts, CEO, Electoral Reform Services
We used First Flight because we wanted a choice of high calibre NED candidates who understood modern Board issues like Data Protection and cyber security - and thats exactly what First Flight gave us.'
Sian Roberts, CEO, Electoral Reform Services
Pete Comley, Founder & Non-Exec, Join the Dots
The choice of who to appoint was very difficult because of the high quality. In addition to appointing a great Chair, First Flight have probably found another Non-Exec we may recruit later. In addition, we may even use another candidate as a consultant.'
Pete Comley, Founder and Non-Executive Director
Andrew Hartsorn, MD, Easyplan (UK)
I would like to thank you for all your efforts over the last three months in what has been a very successful and painless Non-Exec and Chair search process.'
Andrew Hartsorn, Managing Director, Easyplan (UK)
Stephen Carr, Chairman, Nominations Committee, Caterforce Group
Thank you for your help with our Non-Exec Chairman search, you have made the whole process so much easier and we have had an excellent result.'
Stephen Carr, Chairman, Nominations Committee, Caterforce Group
Sandra Le Blanc, Chairman, Spencer Private Hospitals
First Flight Non-Executive Directors quickly grasped what we were looking for in terms of skills and experience, including a useful discussion on how potential successful candidates would fit with the current Board of Directors and support / challenge the senior management team at Spencer Private Hospitals’
Sandra Le Blanc
Chairman, Spencer Private Hospitals
