A Perfect Fit: How We Worked With a Strategic Client to Find Them a French-Speaking FIG VP

‍

Brief
One of our clients, a leading advisory firm, needed to strengthen its French coverage following a significant uptick in deal flow across the region. While they had the transactions, they required a strategic hire to better support their clients and capitalise on market momentum.

‍
The challenge was the highly specialised nature of the role: the ideal candidate needed to combine deep technical expertise with Financial Services experience. In addition, they had to be culturally aligned and capable of delivering commercial impact from day one.

‍

Approach
We spent two weeks consulting with senior stakeholders to define the objectives of the hire, produce a success scorecard for their first year, and agree on key selection criteria.

‍
We then mapped the relevant talent pool across the UK and France, identifying 83 bankers who met the brief on paper. This was supplemented by targeted sourcing and reference calls.

‍
Leveraging our established network, we engaged high-calibre candidates discreetly—many of whom were not actively seeking new roles or involved in ongoing processes.

‍
We carefully positioned the opportunity to ensure shortlisted candidates fully understood the long-term growth potential, leadership exposure, and cultural fit. The final shortlist balanced technical depth with strong interpersonal skills—ensuring each candidate could operate credibly at senior levels within a collaborative team environment.

‍

Results
The appointed candidate brought a rare combination of technical knowledge and commercial instinct. Since joining, they have played a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s service offering, winning key mandates, and mentoring junior colleagues.

‍
In a talent-short market, this was a high-impact hire that has delivered measurable value and exceeded client expectations.

‍