Case Study
Appointing an R&D Director for a global leader in gas detection technology
About ION Science
ION Science is a global leader in gas detection, sensing technology and scientific instrumentation. Innovation sits at the heart of the business, with research and development playing a critical role in maintaining its market-leading position and supporting future growth.
The Challenge
ION Science sought to appoint a new Research & Development Director to lead its innovation strategy, drive product development and provide leadership to a highly skilled technical team.
The brief required a rare combination of scientific credibility, leadership capability and commercial awareness. Suitable candidates were concentrated within a small number of organisations operating across gas sensing, scientific instrumentation, environmental monitoring and advanced technology sectors, making this a highly specialised executive search assignment.
Adding to the challenge, the successful individual also needed to operate comfortably at strategic board level while earning the respect of engineers, scientists and technical teams through hands-on leadership.
Why Pure Executive
Having worked closely with the owner to support the growth of the business and his own succession into the Chair role, Pure Executive was selected to lead the search following the successful appointment of a number of Board-level leaders for ION Science.
Our track record within technology, engineering and manufacturing environments further reinforced our suitability for the assignment.
Our Approach
Following a detailed briefing process with key stakeholders, we refined the brief to focus on the leadership, technical and commercial attributes required for long-term success.
Given the limited talent pool, we carried out a comprehensive national market-mapping exercise across relevant sectors. This produced a target list of more than 30 senior leaders whose backgrounds aligned with the role.
Each candidate was researched, approached and assessed through a structured executive search process, allowing us to evaluate technical expertise alongside leadership style, strategic capability and cultural fit. This delivered a shortlist of eight highly qualified candidates, providing ION Science with access to exceptional talent that would not have been reached through conventional recruitment methods.
Pure Executive did a fantastic job of recruiting the R&D Director role. David, Sheridan and Phillip understood our exacting requirements and ran a professional and ultimately successful process with a very personable style.
Pure Executive successfully appointed a Research & Development Director with the technical expertise, leadership capability and commercial mindset required to support ION Science's long-term objectives.
The successful candidate demonstrated extensive experience of leading innovation programmes, developing high-performing technical teams and translating R&D activity into commercially successful products.
The assignment strengthened ION Science's leadership team and reinforced Pure Executive's ability to deliver complex executive search projects within highly specialised and talent-constrained markets, combining rigorous market intelligence, targeted search methodology and an exceptional candidate experience.
"From the outset, Sheridan, David and Phillip took the time to understand my experience and quickly recognised a strong fit with both the role and the business's future ambitions. Throughout the recruitment process, they ensured everything moved at pace, particularly as I was considering other opportunities, and kept me informed at every stage. Their communication, professionalism and attention to detail were excellent throughout."