REASON FOR THE SEARCH

The company's ongoing efforts to finalize a crucial deal created an opportunity to bring on a new CFO/COO.

THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

Gilde Healthcare is a Private Equity firm based in the Netherlands, with offices in the US and Switzerland. Specializing in healthcare and life sciences, they invest in medtech, digital health, diagnostics, therapeutics, and healthcare services companies in Europe and North America. By offering strategic guidance, operational expertise, and financial resources, Gilde supports innovative healthcare firms to realize their potential. With a successful track record, they drive advancements in healthcare technology globally, enhancing patient outcomes.

THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY

Synexa Life Sciences was founded in 2003, an early pioneer in the emerging field of biomarker science. The business had growth plans to triple the revenue, relocate the headquarters from South Africa to the Netherlands, and identify and secure strategic acquisitions globally.
The business was $15M in revenue and was led by the 3 founders of the company who planned to stay on post the sale to Gilde Healthcare. The firm lacked proven Private Equity-backed experience, M&A capabilities, and a proven but weak financial and operational structure. Hence, the requirement and urgent appointment of a CFO/COO.

THE SEARCH REQUIREMENTS

The company needed a very specific profile with the following skills and experience:

• Previously worked as a CFO in a life science business
• Previously worked in a private equity or venture-backed business
• Strong financial systems, reporting, and operations experience
• Extensive M&A transaction and integration experience
• Located in the Netherlands
• Proven in a fast-growing business
• Strong operations background

WHY RAW SELECTION

This was a reasonably urgent search as the purchase was due to close within 50 days of Gilde Healthcare approaching Raw Selection with the search requirements.

Raw Selection’s Managing Partner, Alex Rawlings, took down a detailed brief with Gilde Healthcare, understanding the urgency and confidentiality required for this search.
With the niche nature of the search and the small candidate pool of profiles that met the revenue, M&A, and industry requirements, Raw Selection began the search following our 15-step process.

After following our extensive 15-step search process, we identified over 45 potential profiles, which was then cut down to a shortlist of 17. All of them had been fully interviewed and measured for culture fit.

CANDIDATE'S THOUGHTS ON THE SEARCH

"I have come to know Alex and his team to be very efficient and they have definitely been crucial in getting to a successful match."

Emile Lens, Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer, Synexa Life Sciences

GET IN TOUCH

Raw Selection favors a meticulous approach to talent research. Our process for selecting the right talent means we can boast a 100% success rate for all our retained and engaged C-Suite clients, with 96% of placed candidates still in their roles after 12 months.

If you are looking for new talent, please contact Alex today, at alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com