Rockpools sources a world class team to deliver London 2012
Following the announcement that London had been selected as the host city for the 2012 Olympics, Rockpools was approached to lead the executive search and selection consultancy for the Olympic Delivery Authority. This was for two purposes; firstly to assist the setting up of an interim transitional Olympic Delivery Organisation, and secondly to support the recruitment of the executive team of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
Rockpools worked with the transitional ODA by seconding two of its senior consultants and leading on the recruitment of its Chair, Chief Executive, five Executive Directors, 13 Non-Executive Directors, and five Planning Committee Members. Rockpools developed a strong relationship with the ODA which has continued throughout the organisation’s inception and evolution.
Rockpools conducted a global search for some of the most prominent leaders in the construction industry. The initial search brought in a unprecedented level of interest resulting in 27,000 hits on the Rockpools website in the first three days before the advert was even released for the recruitment of the top team. The Chief Executive, Chair and Executive team have been recognised for their track record of delivering comparable, multi-billion pound projects. The Board, ninety percent of whom had been headhunted, brought some of the most diverse and critical experience as well as skills in the fields of transport, construction, infrastructure and regeneration.
Some assignments were delivered within a three week period under intense public and media scrutiny. The fact that the ODA is a high profile organisation under constant media glare served to underline importance of undertaking this recruitment exercise with extreme diligence and care.
Rockpools’ success has been recognised by central government; with the Permanent Secretary of the time, Sue Street, commending Rockpools for its efforts in putting forward a world class team to deliver a world class project under very tight timescales and unparalleled scrutiny.
We also gained recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which commended the ODA on its recruitment policy with Denis Oswald, Chairman of the International Olympics Committee, saying: “I am particularly pleased to see the way that the London Organising Committee – LOCOG – and the ODA are fully integrated. Also notable is the excellent recruitment policy being used to bring on board senior management. The recruitment has taken some time, but it has been time well invested, and we see that reflected in the work being done.”
