Personal Capability Overview

David Winterburn

Current Portfolio:

  • Exit Facilitation Team (Director)
  • Harrison Winterburn Executive Search (Founder/MD)
  • Building Products Sector Specialist, NED Portfolio,  Ambassador –  UK Charity

What gets me out of bed in the morning:

For decades, I have helped companies find Senior Executives across the UK and Europe. We work with an eclectic client base and have a 100% success rate in completing assignments.

Every assignment is a unique journey and the deep-rooted desire to achieve an amazing outcome drives me from the warm duvet every morning whilst most are still sleeping.

Pain points I reduce/eliminate for SMEs who want to sell or want to plan to become sale ready

Many SMEs don’t have a clear ownership or succession plan. Building a successful Board takes time but does your existing SMT add multiples to your exit value or could they actually reduce it?

Executive Search (or Headhunting) is a defined process, we identify the individuals that are NOT looking to move and persuade them why they should, we do this by showcasing your company, your people, your values, your USPs and your vision.

  • Recruit the best available executives for your Board and senior management team to add significant value. We operate across the UK for roles between £50k & £500k.
  • Evaluate your existing senior team and make recommendations for improvement
  • Facilitate intimate access to our specialists in Corporate Finance, Structure, Tax and Wealth Management to secure the best outcomes by creating the right pool of buyers for your business

Great outcomes I have achieved and continue to improve upon

  • Since 1990 we have worked with Manufacturers, Merchants & suppliers within the Building/Construction Sectors.
  • We delivered numerous assignments across Saint Gobain companies with specific growth mandates for Jewson and Graham Group.
  • Appointed the CCO for the GDC Group (Glen Dimplex), this was via a search methodology and the successful candidate joined after 23 years’ service with his previous company.  
  • In addition, we placed the most successful CEO of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (which represents the £35Bn UK industry).
  • Numerous UK board appointments within the building & construction sector.
  • Expert recruiter for appointments where companies were looking at MBO’S / MBI’S / Exit / IPO flotation or mergers and acquisitions, hence a diverse understanding of company structures, drivers and motivations.

How I get involved and my style of support when working with others:

When you appoint a Headhunter (or Search firm) the methodology and process should ensure that you are always presented with the best available shortlist of quality candidates. The question is never “can they do the job” the question is “which one is the best fit culturally?”. We use a unique 31-step process and my research team are award-winning in their own right!

Simply put we take the pain and guesswork out of recruitment and get to know you implicitly.

What makes me unique? My personal differentiators:

Retd Chairman

Recruitment & Employment Confederation – which represents the £35bn industry

Past Chairman of the Association of Search & Selection Consultancies

Past Chairman of the Association of Executive Recruiters

Former President of ECSSA which represented over 600 Search firms in 7 Countries.

IoD – Institute of Directors Council

Served the maximum 6-year term

Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals

1 of 25 people ever to be awarded this

Winner – “Outstanding contribution to the recruitment Industry”

The 1st award of its kind!

Fun

I have a dry sense of humour that diffuses through every team I have consulted with. The journey may be challenging but you will enjoy it!