The organisation was searching for a CEO to strengthen their working process and maximise the impact of grants on Bristol’s communities. JJBF is a part of the Bristol Older People’s Funding Alliance (BOPFA), a collective of organisations that work together to meet the needs of older people in Bristol. Moon’s Founding Director, Vanessa Moon, was known to the Foundation through her involvement in BOPFA in 2019. The Foundation approached us for assistance finding a CEO based on their positive experience with Vanessa and recommendations from other BOPFA members, whom we have helped with leadership appointments. 

The outgoing CEO's shoes would take a lot of work to fill. A pillar of the Foundation for many years, their leadership expertly steered the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous other hurdles. They were seeking an inspirational leader, who could drive the organisation forward. JJBF required a CEO skilled in financial reporting and management, who excels in a team setting. The successful candidate would implement organisational policies and monitor key risks. Therefore, candidates had to be strategic thinkers, adept at building strong internal and external relationships. Above all, the new leader needed to share the Foundation's commitment to improving the lives of people in Bristol.

 To gain a comprehensive understanding of the role, we held in-depth discussions with the outgoing CEO, Trustees and other stakeholders. Our forum with the Trustees helped us understand their ambitions for the incoming CEO, while the departing Chief Executive shed light on the key responsibilities and nuances of the role. This provided invaluable insights into the organisational culture and the specific functions of the CEO.

Simon Quinn, Moon’s Director of Executive Search & Leadership Consulting, and Vanessa Moon jointly led the search campaign. We used a blend of headhunting, advertising and Moon’s network to expand the talent pool. After meticulously evaluating the qualified candidates, a shortlist emerged. Through an extensive interview process, one individual, discovered through Vanessa’s network, consistently rose to the top. Nicola Prosser's qualifications and performance solidified her as the ideal choice for the position.

Ms Prosser's background in strategy implementation and her vast experience as a Financial Director equipped her perfectly for the CEO role. Her passion for supporting Bristol communities was clear, as evidenced by her work at the Royal West of England Academy. Aligning with our assessment, JJBF selected Ms Prosser to lead the Foundation.