Results 

The Challenge 

Following an unsuccessful placement made through an alternative supplier, the business required urgent support to identify and secure a Chief Operating Officer. The previous hire had failed on both capability and cultural fit, a critical factor within a high-performance, client-focused luxury environment. With operational leadership a pressing priority, speed and precision were non-negotiable. 

The brief was straightforward: find the strongest candidate in the market, move quickly, and ensure the individual was the right fit for the business from day one, all within an agreed budget. 

Our Approach 

This search was led by Tom Lambourne, who brings 19 years of experience in property recruitment. Tom leads the Estate Agency, Rental Living, Property Management and Corporate Services divisions at deverellsmith, overseeing all mid-to-senior level appointments across Prime Central London and the wider UK market. He was supported by Rachel Blight, Lead Researcher, who has over a decade of experience in the sector and a strong track record placing executive-level talent within the prime and super-prime residential space. 

Drawing on Tom's trusted network and trusted relationships, the team were able to move with both speed and confidence, securing the role within three weeks, with the first candidate approached ultimately making the placement. 

Given the context of a failed prior process, the team also provided strategic counsel on candidate profiling, cultural alignment, and compensation advice, ensuring full alignment between the client brief and the realistic talent landscape for a COO appointment at this level. 

Key Success Factors 

The success of this search came down to network depth, agility, and a rigorous understanding of what the business truly needed, not just operationally, but culturally. Where the previous process had fallen short, the team ensured cultural alignment was assessed from the very first conversation. By leveraging an extensive network of senior residential real estate talent, the right candidate was identified at the very first point of outreach, converting that initial call into the hire. A structured yet fast-moving process ensured the client experienced no further disruption, with a quality shortlist delivered and a successful Chief Operating Officer appointment made in just three weeks.