Quorn is one of the leading success stories in the UK food & drink industry. A well-established brand in hugely impressive growth, driven by a unique combination of health benefits and sustainability.
A key component of their growth has been attracting millions of new consumers into the meat alternative category, delivering an exciting product proposition for the increasing numbers of people who are seeking to incorporate a healthier source of protein into their diet.
The company has also developed into a truly international business, with offices in the US and Europe. Now, with the backing of Monde Nissin, their ambitious parent company, Quorn is looking to grow in Asia, where the brand has some presence and is now set to make a significant push.
The Brief
Quorn have experienced the fastest level of expansion in their history and the company has added a range of new or evolved senior level positions to their structure.
As a long-term recruitment partner with a detailed understanding of the Quorn business and culture, Drayton were tasked with finding a broad range of market leading talent to move into these new positions, over a relatively short period of time.
The new recruits would play a pivotal part in continuing the Quorn growth strategy and helping to bring new ways of thinking and working to what is a fast paced, ambitious and hugely successful organisation. A number of the roles were in the newly created Business Development function, which is at the forefront of moving the Quorn brand into new markets and categories.
The portfolio of positions included Technical Director, Sales Director, Director of Business Development, Head of Quality, Brand Leader for New Business and Category Leader for New Business.
Drayton Partners Approach
The key focus of the recruitment activity was to target top class FMCG talent from the best multi-national FMCG corporates. A major challenge was the location of the Quorn HQ in rural North Yorkshire, searches were often UK wide and also targeted individuals in international markets, but always focused on finding candidates who were geographically mobile and able to be based in North Yorkshire.
Due to their detailed knowledge of the global FMCG marketplace and their in-depth relationship with the team at Quorn, Drayton were able to immediately target and approach individuals who worked at relevant businesses and had a suitable profile, then quickly build a personal relationship to gauge their fit with the unique Quorn culture.
It was essential to find people with the appropriate skills, who would also work well together as a senior level leadership team. Attitude and approach was as important skills and experience.
Outcome
The campaign was a successful one, with individuals joining Quorn from leading global corporates such as Nestle, Mars, Mondelez and Danone. A number of people moved to North Yorkshire to take up their new role at Quorn, some relocating from within the UK but others making international moves.
The Quorn success story continues as we move into 2018, with the new members of the senior team making a significant impact and playing key roles in the continued development of this exciting brand.