The path to a new strategy
Starting in 2018, OE Consulting, working closely with the family office and the Investment Committee, helped the previous firm to create a new, high-level leadership plan. This work encompassed not only the organizational design of the c-suite but also the leadership culture and governance structure. We placed several executives in the course of the next two years. When the CEO resigned at the end of 2021, OE was engaged to find a new executive leader for the organization. We immediately placed Stephen Hohenrieder as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. After an international search, our client determined that Stephen was the right leader to manage their assets in the longer term.
A radical decision
Stephen, however, was already managing his investment firm, Grounded Capital. At this point, the client decided that their alignment with Stephen, regarding investment strategy, performance culture, and personal ethics, was such that they would move the whole of the assets under management at their firm over to Grounded, following which they would dissolve their entity.
The final phase of work
Once the client made their decision to trust the assets to Grounded Capital, we had seven weeks to effect this change. OE assisted in determining a talent strategy, helped to create offers to 8 employees of the previous firm, and with the separation of four others. This was effected as of 1 November 2022. OE then assisted briefly with the winding down of the previous firm, as per the client’s wishes.
OE remained on retainer with Grounded Capital for their startup phase, working on C-Suite design and executive placement.
From the client's perspective, this was a hugely positive outcome
As attested by the Trustee’s sensibilities: ”I can say without reservation that the team at OE is exactly who they represent themselves to be and work in the way they say they do- they are a purpose driven organization whose values include a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; they are committed to first listening and understanding; they are personally involved with clients and take a hands on approach to the work; they are committed to the Key Pillars methodical and focused approach; they have a deep network developed over time based upon personal relationship building.”
