At Starfish Search, we believe that building a better future starts with opening doors for talented individuals from all backgrounds. That’s why we’re proud to be a partner of the 10,000 Black Interns initiative, an extraordinary programme committed to transforming the career prospects of young Black talent in the UK by offering meaningful paid internships across a vast range of industries.
The initiative is rooted in a simple yet powerful mission: to create equal opportunities for Black students and graduates by addressing the systemic underrepresentation across sectors. It connects ambition with opportunity, providing a platform where brilliant individuals can thrive and, in many cases, secure long-term roles within organisations committed to change.
We’ve seen first-hand the impact this initiative can have. Earlier this year, our very own Nnenna Ugwuodo, who joined Starfish Search through the 10,000 Black Interns programme, was nominated for an award at The Alexander Paul & Dar Award Ceremony, held by the 10,000 Interns Foundation in London. It was a proud moment not just for Nnenna, but for all of us at Starfish.
The event celebrated the success stories, hard work, and bright futures being shaped through the foundation’s efforts. Our Head of People, Harpreet O’Brien, attended the ceremony alongside Nnenna, and shared in the celebrations of her nomination. Nnenna’s dedication, professionalism, and passion didn’t just earn her recognition at the ceremony, it also secured her a full-time role with us at Starfish Search, following the completion of her internship.
Our partnership with 10,000 Black Interns continues to be a source of inspiration and growth. It’s a two-way exchange of value, we gain access to fresh perspectives and driven individuals like Nnenna, and they gain insight, experience, and the support they need to kick-start their careers. We’re honoured to support this movement, and even more honoured to witness its impact through the achievements of people like Nnenna. A huge congratulations and thank you from the Starfish team, we have more on our partnership with 10,000 Black Interns to share soon for 2025.
If you want to learn more about Starfish Search and how we can help, drop us a line at info@starfishsearch.com.
We’re delighted to launch our new thought leadership report, Ctrl + Alt + Lead: Navigating the Future of Leadership in the Digital Age, this new report explores what the future will hold for the fast-evolving world we are leading in, and what this means for shifting leadership qualities.
In an era where artificial intelligence and digital transformation redefine the way we work, lead, and grow, Starfish is at the forefront of these changes. Our newest research deep dives into how AI is reshaping the expectations and qualities of effective leadership. We explore how leaders can leverage technology to foster innovation, inclusivity, and adaptability, while maintaining the human touch that makes leadership meaningful.
We thrilled to have the support of an additional cohort of leading influential organisations active in the Invention, Innovation and Tech & AI space, each adding their unique perspective on the opportunities and complexities that lie ahead for all of us. Take a look at the report below and don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team if you want to learn more – thefutureholds@starfishsearch.com.
Navigating the Path to CEO Leadership in the Charity Sector: Insights from Ciara Eastall
Understanding Accidental and Adaptive Leadership
Transitioning to a CEO role in the charity sector can often be an unexpected journey. Ciara Eastell, an esteemed expert in leadership transitions, sheds light on this intricate process as discussed in a recent webinar hosted by Rebecca O’Connor. With a wealth of experience in navigating her path to becoming a CEO, Ciara offers valuable insights into what it means to be an “accidental CEO” and how to thrive as an “adaptive CEO.”
Embracing the Unexpected: Becoming an Accidental CEO
Ciara Eastall’s journey to becoming a CEO of Libraries Unlimited was not a traditional one. With a rich history of working in the public sector, it was austerity measures that led her to write a five-year business plan for a new organisation and subsequently take on the CEO role. This transition from a senior leader in local government to the head of a charity reveals the often unanticipated route many take in the sector.
For those finding themselves as accidental CEOs, Ciara emphasises the importance of understanding the transition’s magnitude. Drawing from her own experiences, she recognises the lack of preparation she had initially, particularly in areas like working with a board of trustees, managing profit and loss, and establishing a new organisational brand.
The Adaptive CEO Toolkit: Building a Foundation for Success
To guide new and aspiring CEOs, Ciara has developed the “Adaptive CEO Toolkit,” a set of resources and strategies crucial for leaders in challenging times.
Preparing for the Leadership Journey
Becoming a CEO, especially in the charity sector, requires more than just leadership skills; it demands adaptability, strategic planning, and a robust support network. As Ciara Eastall stresses, the leadership journey is both a challenge and a privilege, offering the chance to make a significant impact. For those aspiring to transition into the CEO role, it’s essential to prepare by understanding personal blind spots and continuously developing both hard and soft skills. Investing in self-reflection and seeking out knowledge resources improves the readiness to take on leadership challenges effectively.
In conclusion, while the path to becoming a CEO in the charity sector may be fraught with unexpected turns, embracing adaptability and leveraging supportive frameworks can pave the way for successful leadership. As Ciara Eastall illustrates, with the right tools and mindset, accidental leadership can transform into a rewarding and impactful journey. If you want to learn more about our Aspiring CEO Initiative, reach out to the team at aspiringCEO@starfishsearch.com.
Starfish is dedicated to supporting leaders at every stage of their journey and we know that one of the hardest steps is how to go about finding the right opportunity, and what to expect when you get your first chief executive role. We are pleased to be running a webinar for our new Aspiring Chief Executives programme:
Navigating the CEO Journey: From Accidental to Adaptive Leadership in the Charity Sector” led by Ciara Eastell OBE
1pm – 2pm on Wednesday 12th March.
In this lunchtime session, Ciara will share her journey from “Accidental CEO” to adaptive leader in the social sector. Drawing on personal experience as well as research with other CEOs, she explores the unexpected path to CEO leadership and the principles of Adaptive Leadership.
The talk will cover embracing uncertainty, developing a growth mindset, and balancing mission-driven goals with operational realities. Aspiring CEOs will gain insights on skill development, mentorship, and creating a personal brand aligned with social impact. Ciara concludes with practical strategies for transitioning from senior manager to CEO in the social sector.
Our speaker
Ciara Eastell OBE is an experienced coach, consultant and facilitator working with CEOs and senior leaders from across the charity, cultural and HE sectors. She was previously CEO of Libraries Unlimited, a local authority spinout established in 2016 as an independent charity.
If you have any questions or issues, please email aspiringCEO@starfishsearch.com to get in touch with someone from the Starfish Search team.
What You’ll Learn in This Interactive Session
Why Attend?
Who Should Attend?
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in your Non-Executive Director portfolio career. Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward extraordinary boardroom success.
The Starfish Board Practice produces topical, insight-led reviews from time to time on a range of different subjects. Our ‘state of the market’ updates aim to share insights that guide thinking for organisations considering securing new non-executives, and for individuals thinking about securing a non-executive appointment on a charity board.
Almost 50% of all appointments handled by Starfish in the Social and Public Policy sectors are non-executive. These include Chairs and Committee Chairs; Senior Independent Directors, Trustees, Governors, Council Members and Non-executive Directors; Co-optees and Panel and Advisory Board members, and Presidents. We hold a 98.3% first time placement rate on around 400 non-executive appointments, including 80 chairs, most of which are pro bono appointments. At any one time over 30% of people we place tell us that they are bringing diverse experiences to the role.
This report looks into –
You can download the full report here – Charity Non-Executive: State of the Market Update Report
Get in touch with our board practice at info@starfishsearch.com to learn more about how Starfish Search can support your leadership journeys.
Starfish Search is an executive search business that was created to change the world through human talent and we know that the right change must be driven by the right people. In close collaboration with each of our clients, we bring expertise, dedication and fierce commitment to authentic diversity as we search together for tomorrow’s leaders.
With offices nationwide, we offer a broader regional overview of our sectors and richer, more inclusive connections to the strongest global leaders within the UK and beyond. Whether it’s senior leadership talent, nonexecutive directors or interim managers that you need, Starfish help’s our clients to find the right leaders for today’s changing world. We have now made our 1,000th appointment since we started trading in 2019 and have recently celebrated our fifth birthday. With a team of 36 colleagues committed to recruiting to organisations with social purpose and a great story to tell, we feel quite unique in a crowded recruitment market. We work across different sectors, including influential trade bodies, regulators, local authorities, NHS and charity household brands. With strong advisory credentials, our work is firmly grounded in quality of professional advice, insight and partnership.
As a fast-growing executive search and interim management firm, we are a strong and close-knit team united in our aspiration to make a positive difference to society. We’re looking for new colleagues who can bring experience of working in a service-delivery environment or who want to use professional experience gained in another setting to develop into a leading recruiter of the future. As Assistant Consultant, you can expect to play a vital role supporting and co-ordinating all aspects of successful assignment delivery, from scheduling to candidate liaison and search support.
Main Responsibilities
Closing date – 18th November 2024
You can download the full job pack here – Assistant Consultant Candidate Pack 2024
To make an application, please email your CV and Covering Letter outlining how you meet the knowledge, skills, experience and behaviors as outlined in the Role Profile to our Head of People, Harpreet O’Brien, at harpreet.obrien@starfishsearch.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Starfish Search is a Disability Confident employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive business that supports people to reach their full potential. We will continue to enhance our knowledge, skills and confidence required to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled colleagues in our workplace. We want to ensure that disabled colleagues have opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We encourage applicants to share information about any disabilities they have and we are happy to put in place reasonable adjustments to support applications and interviews.
Our recent Embrace Your Impostor webinar hosted with our partners at CityCV, brought together a highly insightful session, led by Victoria McLean, CEO and Founder of CityCV. Convened by Sandra Farquharson, the Director of HR and OD at Hackney Council and vice president of PPMA, the webinar shared key insight into the understanding and combating of the often pervasive feelings of self-doubt that affect many professionals. This interactive webinar highlighted real-life case studies, expert advice, and practical tips, aiming to provide our guests with practical solutions and tools to manage as well as leverage imposter syndrome for their growth and development.
Top 10 Takeaways from the Session
The webinar was an eye-opening session that resonated deeply with participants. By addressing imposter syndrome openly and providing strategic takeaways, the session offered valuable resources and encouragement for professionals dealing with self-doubt. As Sandra Farquharson aptly put it, embracing growth, learning, and progress is fundamental to overcoming these challenges and achieving true professional and personal fulfillment. To learn more about Starfish Search and how we can help, get in touch with the team today.
With over 1 billion users in 200 countries, LinkedIn is the #1 social media site for hiring professionals. An incredible 97% of headhunters use LinkedIn as their primary candidate source, even more so for senior hires. However you may feel about social media, you cannot afford to neglect your LinkedIn profile.
Making it on to the shortlist for a top Non-Executive Director (NED) role is a demanding process. Your LinkedIn profile, along with your CV, will be one of the make-or-break components. Victoria will show you how to use your LinkedIn profile to refine your non-executive brand, elevate your gravitas, move up the rankings, prove your ROI, showcase your expertise, and expand your network in a competitive market.
In this one hour masterclass, you will learn tips and strategies from Victoria McLean, CEO of Hanover Talent Solutions and award-winning, international career consultancy City CV. Victoria is a career industry expert, award-winning Board CV writer and coach, who has helped over 30,000 candidates secure their dream role. Victoria has developed a nuanced and strategic approach, which fuses market knowledge with a deep understanding of recruitment techniques to help build your personal brand and create a compelling LinkedIn profile.
Date: 12th November 2024
Time: 1:00pm / 13:00