Improve International have over 20 years’ experience building a highly respected international brand delivering expert training courses and continuous professional development (CPD) programmes to vets and veterinary nurses. They were recently backed by RJD Partners, a successful mid-market Private Equity house and with this new injection of capital they’ve started a new focused and sustained growth strategy looking to increase their presence globally and develop their digital product footprint.
Peter Bush was engaged by RJD, the PE house, to support the CEO of Improve International on a fully exclusive basis with one of their first strategic hires under the new commercial strategy. The newly created Global Head of Marketing role was tasked with setting a thoughtful and more ‘digital first’ marketing function across Improve International’s global hubs. With a focus toward online distance learning courses the Global Head of marketing will set and implement both customer acquisition and retention strategy to veterinary professionals in over 20 countries both direct and through partners. It was also paramount that the Global Head of Marketing can help design a global brand strategy to better support the business’ multiple brands, as well as the licence partners to deliver their proposition in a progressive and commercially beneficial way.
Improve International were interested in attracting marketing experience from different sectors where they could benefit from a more digital first environment while having strong demonstrable success in growing a global, multi-brand business. As tml Partners have a broad sector approach we were well positioned to quickly identify a shortlist of excellent candidates while supporting the CEO to conduct a series of remote video interviews, culminating with a face to face final stage interview and offer.
Katie Hungerford (CIM and IDM) was appointed as she demonstrated a number of the fundamental skills required. Katie has recently been highly successful in leading the global marketing and digital activities for Key Travel, a PE owned travel management business. Reporting into the CEO and Investment director she defined the digital strategy and implemented a customer data and insights programme to drive change across the directorate. The combination of digital transformation, global experience and reporting line directly into the PE house, made her an ideal fit for Improve International. Katie also demonstrates excellent stakeholder management and influence. A key attribute when leading a business through a period of digital adoption and change.
“I would highly recommend Peter Bush at tml Partners. He was very proactive and supportive throughout the recruitment process and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again”
Katie Hungerford – Global Head of Marketing, Improve International
Peter Bush leads the consumer portfolio across commerce and industry (C&I) at tml Partners and is currently partnering with leading brands across consumer technology, retail, FMCG & telecommunications to name a few. The consumer C&I team has capacity across both permanent and interim so if you’re looking to conduct a senior search, get in touch with Peter.bush@tmlpartners.com to find out more about tml Partners and our recent clients.
