CEO
for West of England Rural Network (WERN)
The West of England Rural Network (WERN) is a respected, independent charity committed to enhancing the quality of life across rural communities. They operate in Bath & North-East Somerset, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, supporting communities to be sustainable, resilient and inclusive.
WERN champions collaboration among voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) groups to ensure local needs are effectively addressed. They advocate for improved community services, amplifying rural voices during decision and policy-making. The organisation also assists groups that support vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged individuals in these areas. We helped them find a CEO who could build on successes to date and lead an exciting phase of development.
Gemma Wilks and Sandy Hinks, Head of our Charity Practice, oversaw the campaign. To ensure a solid foundation for the search, they conducted an in-depth consultation with WERN’s leadership team. This included defining the key attributes of successful leadership and establishing a strong grasp of WERN's culture and future strategic goals.
The CEO needed to possess strategic leadership skills and the ability to navigate complex areas like rural policy, stakeholder relations, and community development. This role demanded a visionary yet pragmatic leader, capable of balancing operational management with advocacy efforts. The CEO also required proven expertise in governance, fundraising, and cross-sector collaborations.
Our search strategy combined targeted advertising and headhunting to identify candidates who aligned with WERN's mission and were equipped with the skills for sustainable, long-term growth. This produced a strong pool of candidates, which was refined into a shortlist through a series of interviews and selection.
The final shortlist was diverse, consisting of individuals with varying backgrounds, experiences and skill sets, while meeting the essential criteria of the brief. We provided a detailed report on each candidate in the shortlist, exploring their strengths, areas for development, and the positive impact they would bring to the organisation. We’re delighted that WERN appointed one of our recommended candidates as CEO, Phillip Vincent. Suzanne impressed with her values-based leadership style. Her open and collaborative approach to leadership would flourish at Southern Brooks, considering their numerous specialised projects. She brings significant experience in the public and Charity sectors, including working with some of the same partners as Southern Brooks. Her expertise on the challenges community organisations face and how to support a strong community voice focusing on unlocking the strengths of community, was the clinching factor. We’re sure Suzanne will help Southern Brooks succeed in connecting people and transforming communities.
Phillip brings extensive experience amplifying the voice of rural communities and ensuring their needs are met. His proven expertise in influencing policy, enhancing stakeholder participation, and leading successful community-focused projects makes him an ideal fit for WERN. Furthermore, Phillip is skilled at growing and developing organisations – specifically by driving increased engagement and utilising digital transformation. These abilities will directly support WERN in achieving its ambitious long-term goals.
“Moon provided exceptional service throughout our search for a new CEO. Their team was a constant source of support, offering expert guidance and facilitating every stage of the process, from defining the role to candidate selection.”
“We were delighted to gain a deeper understanding of WERN’s mission and organisation throughout this campaign. The search identified an impressive group of individuals. We were particularly pleased with the wide array of skills and experience represented in our diverse shortlist.”
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