Martin Leuw, global executive search, interim and management consultancy firm Leathwaite’s new non-executive chairman, says his lack of recruitment-specific knowledge will be an asset. 

Speaking to Recruiter about his appointment, he said this was his first foray into the recruitment sector, other than using executive search firms to help him find staff.

But that will be an advantage “because hopefully I’ll ask enough dumb questions that eventually I’ll get to grips with it… and it sometimes helps to come in completely fresh and look at it afresh”.

Leuw was appointed in July to help support the firm’s growth strategies. 

Though it is “early days” of his tenure, growth strategies could include acquisitions, he says.

“It’s looking at where the market is going first and foremost, and the how do we address that – either with what we’ve got, what we need to develop or possibly what we need to buy.” 

On development, Leuw pointed to Leathwaite’s recently launched management consultancy business, and its earlier move into the interim space from its traditional executive search offering. 

“It’s really about being close to your customers, finding out what they need to do, where they’re going and then ensuring that you’ve got the right services to fit.”

Market awareness was one of the things he says he particularly liked about the Leathwaite partners when he met them for the first time. 

Aside from his Leathwaite role, Leuw is an active investor in private companies.

He says while he invests for profit, he also does so for social impact. 

As an example, he mentioned Latimer Creative – a film and media business that works particularly with highly creative young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, or who left school early, to give them a step up on the career ladder.

The company identifies projects with organisations from major brands to local health authorities that need to engage young people, “and what we do is we co-create with the young people content for a youth audience”.

He says his “last big job” before joining Leathwaite was a 10-year stint as chief executive of business software provider IRIS Software, helping it grow from 100 employees with a £30m turnover to 1,200 employees with a $500m turnover.

His other responsibilities include as enterprise fellow with the Prince’s Trust, passing on his knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs, and chairman of cyber security solutions provider Clearswift.

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