Novomundo – Recruitment Case Study:
Roles recruited:
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
The Business
Novomundo is a start-up venture. It was established by a team of experts in the waste sector, renewable conversion technologies, project delivery and legislatively driven global end markets, who are passionate about making a difference.
The business is focused on building a world where the land and oceans are free from discarded, burned or buried waste through a model that is unique, being a feedstock-led, community-based offering. They are technology agnostic, while also having a deep understanding of technologies and processes as well as a track record of successful global project delivery.
Novomundo’s end products are Low Carbon Liquid Fuels and Gases that drop into current specifications and infrastructure.
Background to Exercise
Following start up and seed capital investments from Private Equity, Novomundo sought to raise significant finance to support their ambitious growth plans and needed to complete the Executive Board with the recruitment of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO role was to be pivotal in developing and delivering the strategy for growth and ensuring that the CEO/ Board were supplied with high quality value-added financial information and insight. The CFO would take a leading role in raising external finance and the management of external stakeholders and advisors, ensuring Novomundo were efficiently financed and with their balance sheet robust.
Our Response
Initial briefing and culture insights were gained through a structured presentation combined with informal meetings with key members of the management team and investors. The task was to find an experienced, high calibre CFO with in-depth experience of fundraising, an understanding of the renewables/recycling sector and who would make for a strong cultural fit within their existing team. The candidate also needed to be available at short notice.
Therefore, we utilised a combined sourcing approach in order maximise market coverage:
Network – Utilising the extensive knowledge of the CFO team at Axon Moore;
Research – Market mapping, target identification and approaches; and
Database – Our in house CRM system built over many years operating at CFO/FD level.
From these various sources via face-to-face interviews with candidates, we were able to present an extremely strong shortlist within just four weeks of our initial brief.
Outcome:
Axon Moore's specialist recruitment process enabled a superb shortlist of candidates, two of which reached the final stage of the process. These candidates were of such quality that they both met all of the criteria for the role. Following the successful appointment of their new CFO, Novomundo's CEO Mark Wilson left this resoundingly positive testimonial:
“Despite the challenges of covid/lockdown; David and his professional research team utilised their network of contacts and candidates and presented an excellent shortlist of potential candidates. We were delighted to reach the final stage of our process with two candidates who met all of our criteria. David took his time to genuinely understand our culture and requirements, communication throughout the process was excellent and the result first class. I would have no hesitation in working with David again and would highly recommend David and the team at Axon Moore.”
Mark Wilson – CEO Novomundo
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“Laura has helped me throughout my career to find a role personally and also helped me to recruit when I have a need within my team. From start to finish, Laura is a pleasure to work with, being very easy to communicate with, being readily available for any queries. She builds relationships excellently in a professional manner. I will definitely contact Axon Moore and specifically Laura again when the need arises.”
Luke Rowarth, Head of FinanceNRG Fleet Services
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“I was recently placed in my current role by Axon Moore and found the team overwhelmingly simple and supportive. I was relocating from another country and didn't know the job market so it was really important I worked with a recruiter who knew it really well. Axon Moore's client portfolio was incredibly impressive and they used their experience to help me understand the market and how I would fit into it. The support I received throughout and after the recruitment process was second to none and I cannot recommend them highly enough.”
Ross Mclellan, Junior Finance Business PartnerThornton & Ross
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“We use Axon Moore exclusively for recruitment into our finance team due to the quality of candidates presented and the proactive way in which they manage the entire process and relationship. In the last year they have helped with some highly successful hires who have added great value to the team and wider business. I would strongly recommend Axon Moore for any financial recruitment needs.”
Dave Potter, Financial ControllerCalisen PLC
