Building a Pan European Finance Team for a Global IT Corporation

Madrid - Paris - Frankfurt - Amsterdam - Zurich

In mid-April 2004, a long-term contact of WT Consulting found himself in a new role as VP Finance and Operations for an $800m turnover Europe, Middle East and Africa division, of a global niche player in the IT industry.

Following a rapid review of his team, and for a variety of reasons, it was recognised that a major upgrade of the calibre and capabilities of the key Country and Regional Finance Directors (initially five roles) was needed - and quickly.

On Friday 21 May 2004 at 7pm Wayne Thomas concluded a three-hour briefing session and was appointed to undertake these assignments.

In less than 8 weeks in total (for some roles in only 2-3 weeks), with WTC having "raised the bar" several times in the process in terms of quality of candidate, all five roles were successfully completed - and an additional sixth role - in Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam (x2) and Zurich.

And within 10-12 weeks of commencement of this recruitment program, five of the six started their new roles - a remarkable achievement in continental Europe.

Within this for Madrid we have hired an Italian out of Amsterdam, for Zurich a Belgian out of Barcelona, and for Paris an americanised Belgian out of Brussels - a reflection of both WTC's (and the client's) ability "to think outside the box".