The Brief
Hannah Younger needed to build out the Healthcare sector’s M&A capability. Three different appointments would strengthen deal execution, origination and strategy through market insight. Each called for its own expertise, with the combined team helping her broaden the sector’s approach to acquisition-led growth.
Lionel Aillerie was establishing the team and processes supporting integration and divestments. He needed additional capacity and people who could understand the practical work of bringing businesses into the group. His remit also required flexibility across integration and divestment projects.
The Challenge
Understanding Halma’s operating model was central to both assignments. Technical experience had to be considered alongside how someone would work within the business, build relationships and fit the leader’s team. Lionel described the importance of recognising who would feel comfortable in that environment and who might struggle, even with a strong CV.
For his senior appointment, the combination was particularly demanding: accounting depth, M&A exposure, curiosity and a genuine interest in the work. Finding people with both the relevant experience and the motivation to apply it made the available pool narrow.
Our Solution
Both relationships began with Rory working with Hannah and Lionel as candidates. Their experience of the process informed their decision to return to STOIX when they needed to hire.
Hannah valued the empathy, accessibility and communication she had experienced herself. She wanted prospective team members to receive the same thoughtful treatment. STOIX developed a detailed understanding of each role’s profile and intended contribution, then used its M&A knowledge and relationships across the UK, Europe and US to build relevant shortlists.
For Lionel, understanding the culture and his way of working helped the team assess candidates beyond their experience on paper. Video introductions added another perspective. He described reconsidering people whose CVs alone might not have secured an interview, because the videos revealed more of the person behind the application.
When the initial shortlist did not produce an appointment, STOIX returned to the search. The team ultimately identified someone with experience of both integration and divestments, allowing Lionel to deploy that capability across either type of project. He subsequently returned to STOIX for a more junior appointment.
