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Russam GMS is able to find and introduce non-executive Directors across the broad spectrum of SME organisations and, importantly, senior Executives doing similar work. We call them “NEDworkers”

What is a NEDworker?

A NEDworker is a senior, experienced independent business executive who works closely with an SME Managing Director either as a Non-Executive Director or a Consultant operating at Director and strategic level on very much a part-time basis. The definition includes categories of Executives known as “Critical Friend”, “Close Advisor”, Mentor or, sometimes, Coach . The role does not include any routine line or staff management responsibilities but will include some one-off senior projects which the CEO deems best do-able at CEO level.

What SMEs need...

Many SME businesses – principally owner-managed organisations – need a particular and special type of independent support. They need a professional, an outsider free from internal politics, someone they trust and can confide in, who has technical and/or trade knowledge and experience beyond that which currently exists in the organisation and who can work with the company on a continuing part-time, but certainly never full-time, basis.

Why Russam GMS?

The longest established Interim Management Provider in the UK, Russam GMS has build up a sector dominating range of contacts with top independent business managers– and, very often, reaches, through them, their own contacts not previously known to us.

The Process

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The specific and agreed brief is confirmed in writing between Russam GMS and the Client after the initial Meeting. Russam GMS conducts the search and presents a shortlist of suitable candidates reflecting the brief agreed in writing with the client. Russam GMS interviews all candidates and will take up a minimum of two references per candidate and report verbally to the client, unless the client prefers to follow up the references personally. As part of the engagement process, the chosen Executive agrees to give one free day to the client without obligation. The purpose of this one free day is to explore and determine the viability of the business relationship and its aims and whether the personality issues are positive. At the end of this day, the NEDworker and the Client shall decide whether there is a basis to establish a business relationship between them based on agreed deliverables . This is a two-way process. The fee charged by the NEDWorker to the client shall be agreed between them as part of the Agreement and it is recommended that this shall not be less than £500 per day excluding VAT and will be paid within 30 days of submission of invoice.

Fees

All fees for introducing a senior executive through our NEDworker Initiative are negotiable but our standard fee is £7,500, payable in two equal tranches – one when the contract is agreed and the second at the end of the first three months, assuming the arrangement is still live. There is a commitment fee of £500 chargeable to the client before work commences and which is refundable against the first tranche of £3,750 chargeable when the assignment starts. If the arrangement does not work within three months, we will submit a new shortlist free of charge or return 30% of the fee charged. The standard fee varies depending on a number of factors including the size of the client’s business and is negotiable.