Temple succeeds Smeaton at Hydrogen ‘for the long haul’

Hydrogen founder Tim Smeaton has stepped down as chief executive and will be replaced by fellow founder and chairman Ian Temple.
Wed, 4 Mar 2015
Hydrogen founder Tim Smeaton has stepped down as chief executive and will be replaced by fellow founder and chairman Ian Temple (right).

Announced this morning [4 March] as part of the global recruiter’s financial results, Temple told Recruiter his succession is no temporary appointment.

Temple explained that Smeaton, who oversaw a major restructure of the business in 2014, which cost Hydrogen £1.8m, sees now as the right time to step down.

“We have always had the mantra that you have got to have the right people in the right jobs and who are really fired up. Tim was really honest in terms of saying ‘at this stage of my life, I think it’s time for someone else to do it’.

“Tim and I have done different roles in the business over different times. Having stepped back for the past couple of years, I have had chance to recharge my batteries,” Temple added.

On the attributes he will bring to his new role, the group’s new CEO acknowledges differences between Smeaton and himself.

“Tim is a very strong sales leader,” he said. “My background has been on the marketing and making sure we have got very strong market positions, and I am keen to make sure we have got the very best propositions for each of our businesses and each of our practices.”

But Temple adds his appointment will not be a short-term one as the firm seeks to get back into profit this year.

“I am definitely in it for the long haul. I’m one of the founders of the business. I wouldn’t be doing it as a temporary stopgap.

“The business has invested a huge amount over the last few years and has got a tremendously strong base. I am really fortunate to inherit it in a position where it’s ready to move forward.”

The group’s final results for the year ended 31 December 2014 reveals revenues decreased from £181.6m in 2013 to £169.4m, while net fee income fell from £31.9m to £28.2m over the period.

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