Hiring a Chief People Officer to establish an HR function

The challenge

This 400-person leading real estate investment firm in the UK, managing billions in assets, had previously operated without an HR function. The company identified a critical vacancy for an HR professional to establish and lead this function. This presented an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to shape the role from the ground up. However, the firm faced a learning curve in defining the full scope of responsibilities and understanding the potential impact of HR on the business. It was crucial to find a candidate who not only saw the value they could bring to the organisation but also recognised the unique opportunity for professional growth within the role.

The solution

We conducted on an exhaustive candidate mapping process to ensure we found the ideal HR leader for this pivotal role. Given the absence of a prior HR function, it was essential to build a candidate profile that accurately reflected both the immediate and long-term needs of the business. To achieve this, we held multiple collaboration meetings with key stakeholders at Praxis, including the C-suite and the founder, to gather in-depth insights into the company culture, leadership expectations and strategic objectives.  By involving the highest levels of leadership, Praxis was able to clarify exactly what they were looking for in a candidate – someone who understood the strategic value of HR, could navigate the complexities of a rapidly growing business and was aligned with the company’s vision for the future.

The outcome

After an extensive search, the company decided on an individual who aligned both professionally and culturally with their vision and needs. This candidate not only possessed the necessary HR expertise but also demonstrated a deep understanding of the company’s values and long-term goals, making them the perfect fit. Since joining, this individuals already thriving in their role.