Validating a C-Level Executive for an International FMCG Group
INDUSTRY: FMCG
SERVICES: Smart Persona – Advanced Strategic Analysis of Individuals
Client need
An EU-based, international FMCG company sought a comprehensive evaluation of a high-profile business executive who was in the advanced stages of the recruitment process for the Group CFO position.
The client required a thorough background check to assess the candidate’s professional history, financial dealings, and potential risk factors that could impact the integrity and performance of the organization.
One page solution:
Our innovative approach concludes complex reports and detailed analysis, into a concise one-page diagram that provides a full overview.
The solution
APPROACH
Interdiligence assembled a multidisciplinary team of experts to conduct an exhaustive evaluation of the candidate (“Subject”):
- Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): A team of OSINT specialists utilized advanced data acquisition tools to gather information from international media, social media platforms, public records, and paid data sources. The research focused on the Subject’s education, professional history, and affiliations.
- Field Research: Field agents traveled to the Subject’s country of origin as well as other countries where the Subject had previous contractual engagements. Interviews and on-the-ground investigations provided valuable insights into her professional relationships and historical performance.
- Industry and Financial Analysis: FMCG industry experts and financial specialists reviewed the Subject’s professional roles and financial dealings. This included scrutinizing her directorships and shareholding in various companies to identify any patterns of concern.
KEY FINDINGS
The integrated research revealed several significant risk factors:
1. Controversial Employment History: The Subject had controversial departures from two previous employers, both of which involved conflicts of interest investigations targeting her colleagues. Although she was not directly implicated, her associations raised concerns.
2. Suspicious Shareholding and Directorships: The Subject and her spouse were shareholders in multiple companies, none of which showed meaningful turnover and most of which reported consistent losses. This indicated potential financial mismanagement or involvement in questionable financial schemes.
3. Banking Sector Issues: During her tenure at a banking institution, the Subject’s department was investigated for issuing loans to companies under Russian sanctions. While she was excluded from formal investigations, her exit from the company coincided with the scrutiny, raising questions about her role.
Deliverables
Interdiligence provided the client with actionable deliverables:
1. Comprehensive Report: A detailed report outlined the Subject’s education and employment history, her roles in companies where she held shares, and a timeline highlighting overlapping periods of professional activity and directorships.
2. Risk Assessment Summary: A summarized, color-coded risk assessment highlighted critical concerns, enabling the client to easily evaluate the overall risk profile of the candidate.
3. One-Page Solution: A succinct document essentialized the candidate’s profile, presenting her as part of a complex relational network. Key risk factors were clearly articulated, providing the client with a clear understanding of the potential liabilities.
The Impact
Based on Interdiligence’s findings and recommendations, the client made the informed decision to terminate the recruitment process for the Subject, despite her successful performance in the professional evaluation phase.
This decision safeguarded the company’s reputation and ensured the appointment of a CFO aligned with their operational and ethical standards.