Recruiting Senior Leaders for an Era of Disruption and Uncertainty

Across the UK, organisations are facing one of the most significant leadership challenges in decades. Economic instability, global supply chain shocks, digital transformation, rapid advances in AI, and the accelerating energy transition are reshaping what effective leadership looks like.

For many years, boards relied on traditional pathways to senior appointments—long industry tenure, steady progression, and familiarity with the sector. But the landscape has shifted. Today’s environment demands leaders who can navigate ambiguity, drive transformation, and pivot entire organisations towards new markets and opportunities.

At Jonathan Lee Recruitment, we are seeing this shift first-hand. As businesses adapt to constant change, the demand for a more intentional, targeted approach to executive hiring continues to grow.

Why the Definition of “Strong Leadership” Is Changing

Technical and engineering-led businesses are experiencing unprecedented pressure to evolve quickly. Matthew Heath, Associate Director and newly appointed Head of Jonathan Lee Search & Selection, describes the challenge:

“Whether it’s a manufacturer diversifying from automotive into defence, an energy business increasing its focus on renewables, or companies simply trying to navigate supply chain disruption—leaders today must think and act differently. They need to bring clarity in uncertainty.”

Internal promotion remains important, but Matthew emphasises that it often isn’t enough:

“The pace of transformation means you sometimes have to look beyond your existing talent pool—or even your sector—to find leaders with the right mindset and transferable skills.”

Traditional Headhunting Still Matters

While technology plays an increasingly important role in recruitment, human connection remains central to successful senior appointments.

Economic uncertainty has made potential candidates more cautious about changing roles. Where Jonathan Lee Recruitment may previously have found ten senior individuals ready to consider a new challenge, in today’s market that number may be half.

This is where long-standing relationships and trusted networks become invaluable.

“At this level, you’re not scanning CVs—you’re having conversations,” Matthew explains. “Personal engagement and a deep understanding of both client culture and candidate motivation make the difference.”

With almost five decades of industry relationships and access to a confidential database of over 400,000 professionals, the Search & Selection team can engage with leaders who are not actively seeking new roles but may be open to the right opportunity.

The Human Touch Still Outperforms AI in Executive Hiring

AI and data-driven tools increasingly support recruitment processes across the wider Jonathan Lee Recruitment Group, helping teams analyse markets, identify trends, and streamline certain workflows.

But when it comes to leadership hiring, technology has clear limits.

“AI can help with data and insight, but you can’t automate chemistry,” Matthew notes. “Understanding culture, ambition and fit requires experience—and often intuition. The right conversation at the right moment can unlock a candidate who wasn’t even considering a move.”

This blend of relationship depth, industry knowledge and strategic insight is why the organisation has placed renewed focus on its executive Search & Selection service.

Meeting the Needs of UK Engineering and Technology Businesses

Many of Jonathan Lee Recruitment’s clients are engineering and technology SMEs and OEs typically employing between 150 and 1,000 people. These organisations operate in sectors such as:

• advanced manufacturing

• automotive and future mobility

• aerospace and defence

• technology and digital solutions

• renewable and low-carbon energy

These businesses face global competition—and often transformational change.

They don’t just need leaders who can maintain performance. They need individuals capable of reimagining what the organisation could become. The impact of a senior appointment cascades through the entire business, influencing culture, performance, strategy and innovation.

Matthew summarises:

“Our combination of cross-sector insight, long-term relationships and proven headhunting methodologies allows us to identify senior leaders who can drive long-term change—not just short-term results.”

About Jonathan Lee Search & Selection

Part of Jonathan Lee Recruitment, established in 1978, our Search & Selection division delivers senior-level and board appointments across engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, technology and energy sectors in the UK and internationally.

Our consultants bring decades of hands-on industry experience, supported by a robust headhunting methodology and one of the most comprehensive candidate databases in the sector.

Matthew Heath began his career as an apprentice in the electric motor industry before moving into international sales and leadership roles across commercial vehicle components, industrial engineering, aerospace and defence. With over 15 years dedicated to senior-level recruitment, he now leads our executive Search & Selection offering.