Financial Controller - Fruition Properties

Consultant: Joseph Morris

Role: Financial controller

Client: Fruition Properties

Location: West End, London

Who is Fruition Properties?

Fruition Properties is a growing property developer, who have a particular focus on airspace development. Based in the West End, Fruition have ambition to grow the business over the next 3-5 years. To help with the expansion they needed a financial controller, someone with the potential and ability to take lead and grow into a finance director going forward.

What was the situation?

To facilitate growth plans, Fruition Properties needed a financial controller with development experience. The ideal candidate would possess the ability to implement best process and procedure within the finance function and assist with any new development projects that the company starts.

​What were the challenges?

One of the hardest challenges faced was a result of the current climate. It was the most candidate short market ever experienced for Joseph Morris (Account Manager), who spearheaded the search assignment. To attract top quality candidates in a competitive market requires a more bespoke approach to headhunting and attraction. Fruition expected somebody who was experienced enough to command seniority within a fairly strict budget meaning it was crucial to find somebody that shared and understood the vision of the business and was excited by the growth prospects and potential.

What was the methodology?

Joseph Morris met with the client to take a detailed agenda about the key skills and behaviours they wanted from a candidate. Joseph then advised the client to take a retained search approach. This was to ensure they were able to attract the best candidates, rather than just the best available. This was also advisable due to the competitiveness of the market and the specialist nature of the role.

After this process, Joseph conducted a thorough mapping exercise to identify key targets and persons of interest before approaching and head hunting the chosen candidates. Once this was complete, Joseph interviewed each candidate face 2 face against the role; in total, 18 were spoken to and 13 met with. Joseph graded each candidate against the agreed criteria set out by the client, allowing him to pick the best match for them.

What was the outcome?

Joseph was able to successfully secure the first chosen candidate within 6 weeks of beginning the search. The candidate has started the role recently and both parties were happy with the placement.