Testimonials
Investment Trusts
“Scottish Mortgage appointed Fletcher Jones in mid-2023 when we needed to find a new director to fill one of the gaps created by retirements. The criteria which we gave were quite narrow in terms of background, experience and gender. Despite this, Fletcher Jones produced a list of impressive and diverse candidates with whom we had interesting discussions, the quality of which made our final selection decision difficult. We were delighted with the job done by FJ”.
Justin Dowley, Chair, Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust
“We recently briefed Fletcher Jones to find us a candidate with a mixture of skills; early-stage investment experience, tech operational experience and ideally some NED and/or listed company experience. We were also looking to broaden the gender and ethnic diversity on our Board. This was quite an ask! We had a strong list of candidates fielded at both long and short list stages, and indeed it was hard to reduce the number for the short list as the quality of candidates felt so high. All candidates met our brief to a greater or lesser extent, which is a testament to FJ's research as a number of them were not previously known to FJ. We felt they had listened to our brief well and sourced some highly impressive candidates.”
Helen Sinclair, Chair, Octopus Future Generations VCT
“JPMorgan Global Growth and Income asked Fletcher Jones to find an additional Non-Executive Director in order to enhance the already very experienced Board in terms of diversity and skill sets. With a view to succession planning, we were looking specifically for female candidates with wide corporate experience capable of constructive challenge, original thought and drive who would fit in with the Board’s culture. Fletcher Jones went to a great deal of trouble to understand the requirements and produced an excellent list of candidates within the agreed timetable. They did an excellent job and we were very happy with the result.”
Tristan Hillgarth, Chair, JP Morgan Global Growth & Income
“CT UK Capital & Income Trust engaged Fletcher Jones on a NED search towards the end of 2023. Some of the board had previous experiences working with them, so they came highly recommended. The search brief was quite specific as we wanted candidates with an investment management background and prior experience as a Chief Investment Officer, Head of Equities, or equivalent. What was also critical was ensuring the right cultural fit and freshness of perspective to complement existing board members. We were impressed by the breadth of high calibre candidates presented at the Longlist stage as well as the valuable input Fletcher Jones provided at each deliberation point. This really helped the board in making a prompt decision in what was overall a very smooth process. I’d happily recommend using Fletcher Jones going forward.”
Dunke Afe , Chair NonRem Committee, CT UK Capital & Income Investment Trust
"Fletcher Jones were tasked with finding us an experienced NED with a senior fund management background who would further enhance the board’s diversity. The board were impressed with the long list provided, all of whom were credible candidates. Given the strength of the candidates on the short list, the board ended up hiring two individuals with complementary experiences, successfully accelerating our board refresh. A very smooth process, expertly handled by the team at Fletcher Jones."
Krishna Shanmuganathan, Chair, abrdn Asia Focus
“As a company quoted on the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange, it was important to us to have a rigorous and independent process when commencing the search for a new director. Fletcher Jones took a professional approach, providing a truly diverse set of candidates, not only diverse in gender and ethnicity but also in thought, character, and career background. In such a niche asset class (aircraft finance and leasing) we were impressed by the number of high-quality candidates with relevant experience sourced. The team were a pleasure to work with, being efficient and responsive throughout, taking a lot of the administrative workload and allowing the Board to concentrate on choosing the best candidate for the role. I would not hesitate to engage Fletcher Jones again in the future, thank you.”
Fiona Le Poidevin, Chair, Doric Nimrod Air Two Limited & Andreas Tautscher, Chair Doric Nimrod Air Three Limited
Mutual
“To recruit a new CEO, we first sought to identify the right agency to conduct the search. Fletcher Jones came top in a competitive process due to their clearly communicated approach, understanding of our needs and what a 'good fit' for us may look like. They produced a strong candidate list, supported by objectively written reports. At each stage Fletcher Jones gave timely, clear, and appropriate updates which smoothed the selection process along to final interview and a successful, high quality appointment. A debrief by the Board concluded that we were very pleased with the service Fletcher Jones provided and have no hesitation in recommending them. I personally felt that the team worked hard to help us find not just a great CEO but the right CEO for Metfriendly, the Board and our members."
Joanna Young, Chair, Metfriendly
“Fletcher Jones provided great support for the PG Mutual CEO search. From sourcing a very strong long list, to the in-depth analysis of the short list, and then to the final interviews, the non-executive directors felt that Fletcher Jones managed the process with professionalism and expertise that led to the appointment of an exceptional candidate as CEO.”
Paul Howley, Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, PG Mutual
"Following the successful appointment of a NED to the board in 2021 and of a new CEO in early 2022, we once again engaged Fletcher Jones to help us find a Chair of Audit and Risk NED. This required a specific set of skills for the role but also an ability to engage with the wider agenda and strategy of the Society. Fletcher Jones were able to utilise their network and expertise to compile a strong list of candidates with the appropriate qualities we were looking for. The assignment was extremely well conducted from start to finish and resulted in an impressive appointment to the Board. We would certainly use Fletcher Jones again and would not hesitate in recommending them for recruiting Board Directors.”
John Quinn, Chairman, Board of Management, Cirencester Friendly Society
"Following a tender exercise, we appointed Fletcher Jones to conduct a search for a new CEO. Impressed by their understanding of the building society sector and their proposed approach, which was tailored to our tight time scale, we were impressed by the strong candidate list, supported by comprehensive and helpful written reports. At each stage Fletcher Jones provided help and advice which led to a smooth and seamless search process and an excellent choice of candidates. The appointments panel could have appointed a number of individuals, and the process was successfully concluded with the recruitment of an excellent new CEO. We were very satisfied with the service Fletcher Jones provided and have no hesitation in recommending them.”
Richard Drinkwater, Nomination Committee Chair, Penrith Building Society
“A recent review of our succession strategy identified a need for the replacement of two of the Society’s longest serving NEDs. Following an analysis of Board skills, we again turned to Fletcher Jones to support us with the two assignments. Our brief was to identify NEDs with Marketing and Finance backgrounds. In both cases, Fletcher Jones was able to source a strong list of candidates with the appropriate qualities we were looking for. Both of the assignments resulted in successful appointments to the Board. We would certainly use Fletcher Jones again and would not hesitate in recommending them.”
Andrew Horsley, Vice Chair and Chair of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Chorley Building Society
“We approached Fletcher Jones to work on a NED assignment. This was our first experience of using them and we have been very impressed. From the initial briefing through to short listing and interview the Fletcher Jones team have been professional, approachable, and always very efficient. We had confidence in their approach from the updates and clear communication with us at each stage of the process. That confidence was further embedded with the provision of a strong candidate list that led to a great appointment for us. A positive experience all round.”
Kimberly Johnstone, Director of People and Corporate Services, The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland
Asset Management
“Scottish Equity Partners have worked with Fletcher Jones for over 10 years assisting with appointments to our own team as well as investee company director appointments. They are excellent to work with, develop a thorough understanding of the brief, have extensive coverage of the candidate population and provide a strong and competitive shortlist of candidates.
We retained Fletcher Jones on a search to strengthen our infrastructure investment team in London. As always we were impressed with their grasp of the brief, coverage and professional pride evidenced in their team’s approach to the assignment and were delighted with the outcome.”
Gary Le Sueur, Partner, Scottish Equity Partners
“First Sentier Investors has a longstanding history of appointing independent directors, retaining its first non-executive director in 2011 with the support of Fletcher Jones. By bringing in a diverse skill set across our non-executive population, we aim to ensure the firm remains aligned with best-practice corporate governance while deepening our boards’ existing skills and expertise. Fletcher Jones has been instrumental in helping us achieve this objective, and over the years has assisted us through the appointment of a further two non-executive appointments that have each made a significant contribution to our board composition.”
Chris Turpin, Global Director of Corporate Development and Managing Director (EMEA), First Sentier Investors
The Investment Committee of West of England appointed Fletcher Jones to perform a search for two new independent directors. The management and the Board were looking for very high-profile investment professionals with an excellent understanding of the investment environment and challenges for general insurers. We were very pleased with the breadth and quality of candidates identified across Europe and the assistance to manage the selection process. Fletcher Jones did a very good job and I am very happy to recommend them to others.”
Thierry Brevet, General Manager and CIO, The West of England Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Association (Luxembourg)
"Sarasin's Nomination Committee considered a number of options to help find a suitable NED to join its LLP Board. We concluded that Fletcher Jones offered the more bespoke service, which was closely aligned with our needs. The search and evaluation process was rigorous, culminating in a high-quality shortlist from which we were able to appoint a seasoned professional who I'm sure, will add value to our decision making. I commend the team at Fletcher Jones for both a successful outcome and timely delivery of the project."
Gary Steinberg, Chair of Nominations Committee, Sarasin & Partners
Professional Practice
“We appointed Fletcher Jones to assist with the search for a new partner in our corporate practice. The process worked very well. We were impressed by the work carried out by Fletcher Jones on shortlisting candidates and it really felt like a collaborative approach. We are very pleased with the successful appointment and would not hesitate to recommend the Fletcher Jones team for other appointments.”
Bruce Farquhar, Chair, Anderson Strathern
“We set a tight, challenging brief in terms of the attributes of the ideal candidate we were looking for to fill a key role in our firm. This meant the likely appointee would need to relocate from a big city to a regional centre. Fletcher Jones filled us with confidence with their hands-on approach and the impressive shortlist prepared for us, which demonstrated they understood exactly who we were looking for. The candidates were not only of the prerequisite calibre, but also a good fit with our culture. We are delighted with our new partner.”
David Smith, Managing Partner, Henderson Loggie
“Fletcher Jones were appointed to find a senior private client lawyer with a diverse set of skills who was established in the Edinburgh market. A priority for us on this search was to ensure that the fit was right for our established legal team and we needed someone to come in to succeed to the management of this team and take the team with them and for the change to be managed carefully. I am always reassured working with Fletcher Jones that they truly take on board and understand what is important to us and ensure this is the case before they bring candidates to us. In the latest appointment, Fletcher Jones have done this was handled to their usual high standard and most importantly they ensured that they continued to be fully involved and managed the process even after a candidate has tendered their resignation when there can still be risks to overcome.”
Carole Tomlinson, Partner and Head of Private Client
Anderson Strathern
“Having been retained on searches for a number of senior appointments in recent years, Fletcher Jones has gained a good understanding of our firm’s culture and of how challenging it can be to recruit top calibre senior lawyers in a highly competitive market. When a much sought-after individual became available, Fletcher Jones responded quickly and supported our recruitment process despite a few counter offers and secured a valued addition to our corporate & commercial team. Fletcher Jones lived up to its ‘trusted advisor’ reputation.”
Murray McCall, Managing Partner Anderson Strathern
Not for Profit
"Fletcher Jones took time to understand both our cultural context and operational requirements and delivered an excellent range of candidates that exceeded expectations".
Matthew Carpenter, Head of Finance/Company Secretary, The Salvation Army
Board Performance Reviews
“Further to our recent inclusion into the FTSE 250 the Board of Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon decided for the first time to commission external assessments of the Independent Directors, the Board effectiveness as a unit and the Chair’s overall performance. After an extensive search, the Board decided to commission Fletcher Jones to conduct this piece of work on our behalf. I had the pleasure of scoping the work with the team at Fletcher Jones and I was delighted that the timelines the Board had in mind were workable. The whole research process was incredibly thorough on the one hand yet seemingly painless on the other! A large number of stakeholders were approached by Fletcher Jones to comment on the brief and their thoughts and insights were woven into the final report.
The Shin Nippon Board were impressed with the professionalism of the team at Fletcher Jones. The report is thorough and addresses all the issues agreed in the initial brief. The Board of Shin Nippon would have no hesitation in recommending Fletcher Jones for any similar exercise in mind.”
Neil Donaldson, Chair, Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon PLC
"As a Board, we commission an independent Directors’ Evaluation and Remuneration Review on a regular basis. Having just commenced our Board rotation process, we were particularly keen that the review was specifically tailored to our current circumstances in order to capture the views of those Directors about to step down from the Board as well as those from our more recent appointees. Fletcher Jones were professional, efficient and robust in their approach, interviewing all Directors as well as our Fund Manager and key advisers. The reports they have produced for us are comprehensive, helpful and constructive. We would be happy to use them on another occasion."
Alison Fyfe, Chair, Target Healthcare REIT plc
“This was the second time we have used Fletcher Jones, led by Monica Langa, for an external board evaluation as our previous experience was positive and their pricing remained competitive. Although I felt the board was operating effectively, I wanted not only to confirm this but also to have access to best practice advice in our quest to improve what we do for shareholders and other stakeholders. Thorough one-on-one sessions with all the directors and the other key professionals associated with the Company resulted in Monica and her team meeting these objectives. Their report was clear and comprehensible with a number of ideas that the board will seriously consider. We were very happy with their service.”
Caroline Hitch, Chair, CQS New City High Yield Fund Limited
“I found Fletcher Jones highly engaged throughout a largely bespoke review. Jo and Monica were able to delve below the surface currents into deeper water and draw out issues for the Board’s consideration. They were empathetic interlocutors, and their report sparked lively debate in the Boardroom and we have several clear themes on which to work in the short to medium term.”
Katrina Arnold. Chair, Birmingham Bank
Executive Coaching
“I worked with Jo over a six month period as I felt I needed some external perspective on a new role I had taken on, and support me in my change of direction. The Coaching experience was really helpful. Jo asked great questions and leads you to reflect on areas that may not have been obvious on first review. It also supported me to make a committed plan of action to myself- not only within a professional setting but also personally. I would highly recommend Jo and found the experience invaluable.”
Senior Leader, Scottish Widows
“Jo was wonderful from the very first email we exchanged. She is an amazing listener and her ability to read between the lines and analyse situations is very inspirational. Her personality is also so refreshing to be around and you always leave her company on positive, re-charged and motivated to take the next step forward.”
Former Managing Director, Underground Maintenance Systems