A Scottish executive search and recruitment group has unveiled major top-level changes which it says see the “next generation” take the helm.
Employee-owned Livingston James Group has unveiled promotions to fill the chief executive role and two managing director posts.
Jamie Livingston, the 47-year-old co-founder who has led the Glasgow-based business for 16 years, will remain “actively involved” as chairman.
The group, which became employee-owned in 2023, has around 30 staff across its Livingston James and Rutherford Cross brands and specialises in executive search, senior appointments and leadership advisory services across Scotland and beyond.
Mark Lewis, who is 50 and is the long-serving managing director of specialist finance recruitment operation Rutherford Cross, has been appointed as chief executive of Livingston James Group.
Sophie Randles, 37, and Hazel Wynn, 40, have been promoted to managing directors of the Livingston James executive search business and Rutherford Cross respectively, with both joining the group board.
The group said that the leadership reshuffle marks the first new appointments to the board in more than six years and “comes as the business reports a period of sustained, strong trading, reflecting continued growth as markets gradually emerge from recent economic and geopolitical uncertainty”.
It added that Mr Livingston, who co-founded the business in 2010, will “remain actively involved as chair while focusing on strategic projects and supporting the group's long-term growth ambitions”.
The changes take effect from today and are described by Livingston James Group as forming “part of a long-term leadership transition designed to position the business for growth through to 2030 and beyond”.
Mr Livingston said: “This feels like the natural next step in the evolution of the business. When we founded Livingston James 16 years ago, the ambition was always to build a business that could thrive beyond any one individual. Mark, Sophie and Hazel have each played a hugely important role in our journey and I’m proud to see them step into these positions and lead this next chapter for the business.
“We have always believed in helping people realise their potential, and these appointments reflect the strength of the talent we have developed within the business and bring fresh energy, new perspectives and renewed ambition as we look to a future of further growth across Scotland and beyond.”
Mr Lewis becomes chief executive after 15 years with the business, having joined shortly after its formation and played a key role in launching and expanding Rutherford Cross.
He said: “It is an immense privilege to take on the role of CEO after spending the past 15 years helping build the business alongside Jamie and the wider team.
“We are entering this next chapter from a position of real strength. We have an exceptional team, a fantastic culture and strong momentum across the business. My focus will be on building on those foundations, continuing to develop our people and identifying new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
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He added: “We are seeing strong demand across both permanent and interim markets, particularly in areas where organisations are competing for scarce skills and experience. That gives us confidence about the future and creates a real opportunity for us to continue evolving the business while staying true to the values that have got us here.”
Livingston James described the appointments of Ms Randles and Ms Wynn as “a significant milestone for the group, with both having spent a decade with the business and progressed through a series of senior leadership roles”.
Ms Randles said: “I’m incredibly proud to take on this role and look forward to expanding the team offering now and into the future.
“One of the things that has always stood out about Livingston James is the opportunity it provides for people to realise their full potential, alongside a genuine openness to innovation, fresh ideas and diversity of thought at a senior level. Spending 10 years with a business is increasingly rare, and I believe that’s a real USP (unique selling point) for Livingston James. It reflects a strong culture built on challenging one another, continually seeking out new opportunities and embracing change - something I value enormously."
She added: “We have built a culture that rewards ambition, performance and leadership, and I’m excited to help shape the next stage of the business alongside Mark, Hazel and the wider team.”
Ms Wynn said: “We have built a hugely experienced team with real depth and breadth of expertise, and I’m excited about what this means not only for our clients and candidates but also for the next generation of talent coming through the business.
“These appointments demonstrate what is possible when people are given the opportunity to develop, perform and lead, and I’m looking forward to helping drive the next phase of growth.”
Livingston James said it plans to deepen its expertise across key growth sectors, including technology, energy, healthcare and the public sector, while continuing to strengthen its “established specialisms in private equity, family business and the not-for-profit space”.
The group added that it also aims to enhance its leadership advisory capabilities, while Rutherford Cross will continue to expand its specialist finance offering in areas such as financial planning and analysis, automation, data analytics and AI-enabled finance.
Livingston James noted it is also exploring opportunities to continue strengthening its presence beyond its traditional central belt heartland, “building on growing demand from clients across Scotland and internationally”.
Mr Lewis said: “One of the things that makes Livingston James Group special is the opportunity it creates for people. Beyond these appointments, we want to continue developing the next generation of leaders and ensure the business remains a place where ambitious, talented people can build long-term careers.”
