Our Approach
We conducted a targeted UK-wide executive search, focusing on leaders with experience delivering large-scale industrial, infrastructure, defence, and manufacturing investment programmes.
The Process
Comprehensive market mapping of senior project and programme leaders across the UK
Direct engagement with executives from major construction, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing programmes
Structured screening to assess capital programme experience, NEC contract knowledge, and transformation leadership
Ensuring the process supported the client’s equal opportunities requirements and produced a balanced, credible shortlist
Search Metrics
45 senior leaders mapped
20 candidates screened
3 finalists presented for final interviews
The full search process took 12 weeks to offer, followed by a structured onboarding process with the successful candidate joining the business within six months.
The Outcome
The successful candidate brought significant experience delivering complex capital investment programmes within advanced engineering environments, alongside strong leadership capability in managing large transformation initiatives.
Since joining the organisation, the Project Director has taken a leading role in supporting Sheffield Forgemasters’ major investment programme, including the development of its new large-scale machining facility and wider recapitalisation projects.
This appointment represents a key leadership hire supporting the company’s ambition to build one of Europe’s most advanced defence manufacturing facilities.
Client Testimonial
“This was a critical appointment for Sheffield Forgemasters as we continue to deliver a major investment programme that will transform the business. Shillito Executive Search managed the process professionally and delivered a strong shortlist of candidates capable of operating at the scale required.”
Gareth Barker
Chief Operating Officer
Sheffield Forgemasters
Sheffield Forgemasters
Appointing a Project Director to Deliver a £1bn+ Transformation Programme
The Challenge
Following its acquisition by the UK Ministry of Defence, Sheffield Forgemasters is undergoing one of the most significant industrial investment programmes in the UK, with over £1 billion planned investment over the next decade to modernise its facilities and strengthen the UK’s defence manufacturing capability.
A critical part of this transformation is the construction of a major new machining facility, including a £210m machine shop development that will house some of the world’s largest vertical turning lathes and form part of one of Europe’s most advanced defence machining operations.
To support this programme, Sheffield Forgemasters needed to appoint a Project Director capable of leading complex capital investment projects at an exceptional scale.
The challenge was significant:
The role required experience delivering major capital programmes worth hundreds of millions of pounds
Candidates needed strong construction or NEC contract experience
Proven business transformation and programme leadership capability was essential
The role required four days per week on site in Sheffield, narrowing the already limited candidate pool
As a government-owned organisation, the recruitment campaign needed to demonstrate arobust and transparent equal opportunities process
Given the strategic importance of the appointment, Shillito Executive was engaged on an exclusive basis to lead the search.