Our Health Boards Practice specialises in sourcing diverse, capable and skilled non-executive leaders to join NHS Boards. We use tried and tested search and selection methods to fill single and multiple vacancies, and are available to complete ‘Whole Board’ recruitment and Board Effectiveness Reviews. Populating today’s NHS Boards for the range and durability required for strong governance and high performing services comes down to balancing experience with lived and community perspectives. At a time of increased complexity and pressure across the health system, there is still no shortage of qualified and available candidates ready to contribute as non-executives or chairs. Yet too many established recruitment practices are limiting when it comes to progressing non-traditional talent. At Starfish, we support a safe, modern and genuinely diverse NHS by looking carefully at overall board composition, challenging prevailing thinking and installing the capability Boards need now and in the future.
Their thorough understanding of the marketplace underpins an ability to deliver a brief efficiently and effectively no matter how detailed or specialised. Their business model is such that clients will have the attention of highly experienced consultants throughout the process.
I have broad experience working with senior headhunters and felt especially well looked after by you and your team. I was particularly impressed by the way you personally represented our organisation.
You were, clearly, fully on top of the brief, and had also got under the skin of the values and tone of us as well as the commercial aspects of the role. I think you did a fine job for them and for me.
I have worked with Starfish Search in the context of several organisations. Having been involved in senior appointments for 25 years, I love working with Starfish because they are better than anyone else at getting to the heart of an organisation’s needs.
Their playback of our needs and subsequent production of a brief are second to none. On every assignment they have demonstrated an intuitive understanding of the drivers and values that influence the diverse candidate communities they are searching in.
I have watched Starfish go from strength to strength and make some truly excellent appointments. Your ability to reach high calibre and quality candidates is well known and can only be down to the end knowledge and professionalism of you and your excellent team.
We sought to add specific specialisms and diversify our board in terms of characteristics and lived experience. Starfish, through their highly experienced search team and extensive networks, fully met the search brief and we are delighted with the result.
Starfish have worked closely with us on several briefs and for each appointment and have attracted some great candidates. Their assessment of candidates and the information provided to us has been first-class and we have felt very confident about their judgement.
What impresses me most about the team at Starfish Search is the ethical foundation on which they are built and which drives all that they do. They have a strong commitment to their clients and to effective delivery. I have a real sense that this firm cares about customer satisfaction.
We canvased a few different firms prior to selecting Starfish and were struck by the approach Starfish took. There was a real sense of ownership and responsibility displayed, with a determination to really drill into what skills and capabilities we needed for each role.
Whether dealing with a client or a candidate the Starfish interim team is always extremely diligent and professional in their approach. They are highly skilled, listen well, engages fully with the brief, responds promptly and provides excellent briefings and assessments.
Their work is always to the highest standard and they go above and beyond to ensure they are responsive. As a client, I have always found the team to be thoughtful and intuitive in their approach to the brief, sourcing a good mix of candidates.
Principal
Chief Executive
Principal
Executive Search Associate