Executive Search

Feel executive search firms take too long and under-deliver?

At Norrie Johnston Recruitment we don’t believe clients should have to wait.  So we focus our executive search service on finding good people, for each and every brief – fast.  Good, carefully hand-picked, people who will not only join a business, but actually stay and perform.

We can do this because our world-class recruiters are not like typical recruiters. They all have real-world experience. They have worked at a senior level, in a variety of sectors, within the corporate world.

So they can have a peer-to-peer discussion with the client and ensure the brief really reflects the business’ situation.

Combining this experience and rigour with the speed and reach of the web – we then deliver candidates who truly fit with the company’s culture and long-term needs – fast.

The difference:

  • A short list of candidates within 2-4 weeks
  • World-class recruiters with real world experience
  • Any senior role, any sector
  • Operating out of the UK yet supporting clients anywhere in the world
  • Success-orientated fees

"Insurethebox is a market leader which needs to react with speed and agility to maintain its market position. To support this Insurethebox requires our business partners to be able to respond promptly with expertise, skill and well-rounded solutions. Rex at NJR has consistently met the brief set, and has delivered."

Andy Haynes, COO Insurethebox
Read Our Insurethebox Case Study

"NJR did a fantastic job of turning round a comprehensive short list in a very tight time-frame, quickly sourcing a range of highly relevant and suitable candidates. They were also extremely responsive, helping to manage a smooth and efficient process; I would definitely recommend working with them based on my experience."

Sarah Thompson, VP Finance, HR and Operations International Leapfrog Toys

"NJR are an outstanding company to work with since they understand the need to deliver high quality people but also at speed and with unrivalled client service. What's more NJR have outstanding people who not only understand recruitment but who have fulfilled senior executive roles in all their key sectors on a global basis. So they can instantly understand a client's needs and its culture and use this to source top quality candidates who will be effective on a long term basis."

Rene Schuster, Former Group COO, VimpelCom and CEO Telefonica Germany

"We have used NJR on more than one occasion and have been impressed by their ability to find excellent candidates both quickly and cost-effectively. We particularly like the fact that throughout the process we have the personal attention of one of NJR’s Directors who knows and understands our business and its culture."

Mark Cockburn, Managing Director Cambridge Economic Policy Associates

Executive Search Team

Rex Cridland

Rex Cridland

Managing Director

Rex has over 25 years’ executive search experience, having worked at the highest level with global recruitment consultancies, as well as search and selection specialists. During his career, Rex has enjoyed considerable success as a senior executive search specialist, recruiting numerous directors and board-level staff for global blue chips companies, exciting start-ups and SMEs, including:

Phil Hagen

Phil Hagen

Director

Phil knows what clients looking for a senior executive really need. Before his career in recruitment, Phil worked for many years as a senior and director-level executive working in international businesses within the telecoms, IT and ICT sectors, including:

Michelle Stanley

Michelle Stanley

Head of Research

During her career Michelle has worked across a diverse range of sectors, including aerospace and defence, finance, retail, manufacturing, marketing and technology. An experienced and effective researcher, Michelle has over ten years’ executive search experience using both traditional and advanced web-based search techniques, helping to place the best talent into international organisations, such as:

Useful links: 

"We worked closely with Rex at NJR on a new and key, senior management position. He did a great job of turning round a strong short list in a tight time-frame, as well as quickly adapting to changing requirements. Rex was easy to contact and responsive throughout the process and I would definitely recommend working with NJR based on this experience. "

Maria Woodhams, HR Manager Toyota Financial Services (UK) plc

"NJR has supported IMI Critical Engineering with a number of senior interim roles spanning various locations across Europe and the UK."

NJR, Interim Management Experts
Read the Case Study

"Rex at NJR did a fantastic job of turning round a comprehensive short list in a very tight time-frame, quickly sourcing a range of highly relevant and suitable candidates. They were also extremely responsive, helping to manage a smooth and efficient process; I would definitely recommend working with them based on my experience."

Sarah Thompson, VP Finance, HR and Operations International LeapFrog Toys
Read the Case Study

"NJR are an outstanding company to work with since they understand the need to deliver high quality people but also at speed and with unrivalled client service. What's more NJR have outstanding people who not only understand recruitment but who have fulfilled senior executive roles in all their key sectors on a global basis. So they can instantly understand a client's needs and its culture and use this to source top quality candidates who will be effective on a long term basis."

Rene Schuster, Former Group COO Veon and CEO Telefonica Germany

"Insurethebox is a market leader which needs to react with speed and agility to maintain its market position. To support this Insurethebox requires our business partners to be able to respond promptly with expertise, skill and well-rounded solutions. Rex at NJR has consistently met the brief set, and has delivered."

Andy Haynes, Joint Chief Executive InsureTheBox
Read the Case Study

"Rex provided Diageo with a cost-effective, punctual and targeted approach which got the right result!"

Kevin Fairburn, Head of HR Western Europe Functions Diageo

"Rex comes highly recommended. Undertaking what proved challenging posts to fill, Rex got to grips with culture and fit very quickly. Very professional and an easy approach to work with. Most importantly Rex delivered on all of his assignments."

Justin Thomas, Managing Director Bon Bon Buddies Ltd

"Rex played a key role in running a successful talent pool campaign to identify, evaluate and appoint a number of senior finance roles at Legal & General. The assignment brief was challenging: timescales for delivery were tight and we had set a high quality bar for candidates' technical, as well as commercial skills standards. The brief was executed well and involved the delivery of rigorous assessment days. The days not only resulted in the selection of high quality recruits but also turned out to be a very effective and efficient use of the Legal & General senior management teams time."

Lee Dobson, Finance Director, Wealth Division (at time of project) Legal & General
Read the Case Study

"Norrie’s firm always provides top quality candidates, often at short notice, in a very professional and client-focussed manner. He is a pleasure to work with."

Chris Rickard, Group Finance Director The Weir Group

"Rex is a hugely talented, proactive individual who takes time to understand his client's needs and provides a first class service."

Atul Sharma, Finance Director GSK Export

"Norrie is a consummate professional and a pleasure to do business with. He is affable, diligent and dependable. He operates well across sectors and brings a wealth of experience to any work situation. I recommend him without hesitation."

Alan McCarthy-Wyper, Director Balfour Beatty Rail

"Rex has assisted me as Group Head of Internal Audit at G4S Plc to place 3 senior roles during a 6 month period. Rex is a reliable Executive Recruiter who identified good quality candidates and made sure that they met the candidate profile before sending in their CVs."

Phil Summerton, Group Head of Internal Audit G4S Plc

"Rex assisted SEGA with recruitment campaigns. I found him to be honest, professional and helpful at all times. It was great dealing with him."

Ben Harrison, Head of HR SEGA Europe

"Norrie has always been very responsive and on two occasions has provided a very rapid and professional service to identify high-quality leaders for Westinghouse. He must have a huge network as he always manages to provide a short-list in a matter of days, of very high quality. I will continue to use Norrie for difficult positions when I need to move fast and guarantee quality."

Colin Brown, Engineering and Safety Director Invensys Rail

"Rex has worked on 2 commissions I have been involved with. On both occasions he has managed and conducted thorough searches with a particular diligence. This combined with highly developed levels of perception, an acute awareness and great people skills has led to being presented with proper runners for the top level posts involved. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him and will use his services again."

James Sprint, Group CEO Alternative Flooring and Wilton Carpet Factory

"I just wanted to say thank you for your input, support and advice during our first interim appointment. The advice pre-Christmas was excellent, your first candidate was spot-on and of course, we are excited now at having our interim join our team. You've helped to make this process very straight-forward and uncomplicated and I will have no hesitation in recommending your services to others in the future. Thanks again."

Mark Wynn, Managing Director Avonline Plc

"We have used NJR on more than one occasion and have been impressed by their ability to find excellent candidates both quickly and cost-effectively. We particularly like the fact that throughout the process we have the personal attention of one of NJR's Directors who knows and understands our business and it's culture."

Mark Cockburn, Managing Director Cambridge Economic Policy Associates

"NJR's SME service took the brief quickly and provided the experience, calibre and personality of candidates we were looking for."

Catherine Senda, Managing Director Curtin&Co
Read the Case Study