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Eden Search

Introduction to

Eden Search & G's Fresh

This is Eden

We are the leading specialist non-executive, board and executive search company focused across the global food supply chain.

  • Extensive industry experience, understanding and connections in Europe, Africa, Asia and The Americas
  • Passion and commitment for the sector is central to both the founder and business’ DNA.
  • Eden is an integral part of the sector’s success story – we champion the industry, making it a better place through our partnerships, connections, initiatives and the work we do with clients.

At Eden, our values shape every relationship we build.

Eden’s values define the approach we bring to every partnership—with our clients, our candidates and, importantly, the wider industry we’re proud to support.

  • We champion and strengthen our industry, supporting charities, not‑for‑profits sector initiatives and events that drive sustainable outcomes and resilient communities.
  • We build partnerships that last, working alongside organisations committed to long‑term, positive change.
  • We invest in future leadership, creating opportunities for senior leaders to connect, collaborate, share insights and shape the future of our sector.

Eden Insights

  • We have access to a wealth of knowledge and global sector insights gained through our unrivalled network and experience of working in the industry
  • A platform to support our clients and stakeholders in making effective business decisions that drive profitable long-term growth
  • Talent and hiring decisions PLUS key issues and opportunities impacting the industry
  • Insight reports developed with insights from 50 CEOs representing up to $15bn turnover employing over 50,000 people globally.

 

Our sectors

Vertically integrated across the Agri and Food ecosystems.

Agribusiness

Agritech Scale-Up
Data, Robotics & Automation
Seed, Fertiliser & Crop Protection
Animal Health & Genetics
Animal Feed & Nutrition
National Farming businesses

Aquaculture

Feed & Nutrition
Fisheries
Seafood

Fresh Food

Meat, Dairy & Poultry
Fresh Produce & Horticulture
Wholehead & Added Value

Food Manufacturing

Ingredients to Finished Product
Complex Food Processing
Alternative Proteins
Future Foods
Branded & Own Label

100% of our clients would recommend us

Eden is trusted globally for delivering long lasting leadership success - through exceptional retention, strategic counsel and a deeply personal approach to every non-executive and executive search project

Why Eden

  • Industry leading candidate retention rate, with 90% of candidates sourced by Eden still in role or promoted after 3 years
  • Globally effective in house research team with a proven ability to attract and engage leading talent across our sectors
  • We operate at senior board level across all functions
  • Support leaders through strategic change, offer counsel grounded in industry insight and build strategic networks for our clients
  • At Eden, every project is personal

Recent projects

Our search approach

No. 1 - Initial phase

Understanding your business

No. 1 - Initial phase

Understanding your business

Culture, Skills, Values, Experience, Strategy, Personality

No. 2 - Initial phase

Bespoke project design

No. 2 - Initial phase

Bespoke project design

Tailored to uncover the most relevant and best talent for the project
Candidate brief generation

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No. 3 - Initial phase

All about the research

No. 3 - Initial phase

All about the research

Market talent mapping
Networking

No. 4 - Initial phase

Assess the talent

No. 4 - Initial phase

Assess the talent

100% Face to Face
The perfect balance - expertise, character and ambition

No. 5 - Final phase

Present the shortlist

No. 5 - Final phase

Present the shortlist

Market insight
Full candidate profile
Long list – future talent / networking

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No. 6 - Final phase

Select the right talent

No. 6 - Final phase

Select the right talent

Design end to end interview process including logistics, psychometrics and referencing.

No. 7 - Final phase

Appointment

No. 7 - Final phase

Appointment

Negotiating offer and supporting the candidate through the resignation process.

No. 8 - Final phase

Post project support

No. 8 - Final phase

Post project support

Project feedback, induction support and ‘check ins’ every three months.

The benefits of our approach

We find the best talent

  • We look beyond the obvious to uncover exceptional senior leaders.
  • We actively engage candidates, so they’re aligned and motivated.
  • We deliver a discreet, professional process with strong, diverse shortlists.
  • 100% of Eden’s recommended candidate are invited for 1st interview.

We deliver

  • We prepare clients and candidates to get the best from every conversation.
  • We filter early to save time and surface the strongest matches.
  • We focus on cultural and long term fit, not just capability.
  • The best fit, every time.

Our Clients

Our track record

Business Advisory

When the business landscape shifts, your organisation may need specialist leadership - from interim experts to drive scale and navigate complexity or focused project senior consultancy to deliver critical initiatives with impact

Why Eden

  • Broad established network
  • Agility to find quick solutions
  • Depth and breadth of industry insights

Business
turnaround

Short term
leadership

M&A
Consultancy

Organisational Insight

Having a thorough understanding of the industry talent pool, it’s makeup or optimal organisational structure is critical for decision making and the ultimate performance of your business.

Why Eden

  • In-depth sector insight
  • In-house research capabilities
  • Experienced team to support informed and actionable decisions that are fit for purpose and sector leading

Project specialisms and completed confidential assignments include:

  • Organisational structures
    Multi-site Fresh Food Group
  • Remuneration benchmarking
    Vertically Integrated Produce Business
  • Global talent mapping
    Leading Controlled Enviroment Agriculture Business
  • Competitor mapping and benchmarking
    Global Agrichemical Manufacturer

References

Dan Cross
Managing Director
Kris Comerford
Co CEO
David Frost
People & Organisational Development Director
Sarah Dean
Owner & Chair
Chris Thomas
Chair
Shelagh Hancock
CEO

The team

Eden Search has the largest dedicated team focused on these specialist sectors, bringing unmatched experience and personal commitment to every search. Having worked within - and recruited across - the entire food and drink supply chain, we use our deep sector knowledge and cultural insight to give our clients a decisive advantage.

In Summary

  • The largest dedicated search team in our sectors, bringing unmatched focus and expertise.
  • Extensive, lived experience across the global food supply chain, informing every search.
  • Insight led, culturally attuned approach that gives clients a decisive advantage.
  • A committed specialist partner, delivering exceptional leadership talent every time.
  • At Eden, every project is personal.

Case study

Managing Director
Fine Lady Bakeries
The Heygate Group of Companies remains a private, independent family business operating successfully across farming, animal feed, flour and bakery sectors. With a family heritage spanning over a century, the group have demonstrated commitment to grow, invest and improve quality, which is firmly grounded in strong family values passed down through many generations. Following a personal recommendation to the Board, Eden had an initial meeting with three family Directors. After successfully winning a competitive tender process to partner with the Director, Eden was selected as the exclusive search partner to appoint a Managing Director to lead Fine Lady Bakeries.

In depth discussions with the Directors confirmed that this was a pivotal and exciting opportunity. Succeeding two long serving joint ManagingDirectors, the new MD would embrace the opportunity to bring an energised and modern approach to continue to evolve the performance of one ofthe leading bakery businesses in the UK with unparallelled operational investment. The ideal candidate would also have ultimate responsibility for theP&L but also utilise the strength of the wider Heygate Group and embrace the strong family values that drive long-term decision making.

Eden’s search team identified 85 potential candidates operating in highly dynamic, own-label fresh food manufacturing sectors. The Head of Research led the engagement phase, targeting candidates with significant experience in scaling operations with supermarket customers and driving commercial
and operational excellence.

The result:

Eden’s comprehensive search produced a shortlist of five highly qualified candidates, each with different but relevant experience leading the most highly regarded food businesses in the UK.

Following a rigorous 4-stage interview process, astandout candidate was appointed.With extensive industry expertise and provenleadership experience gains from the likes of Samworth and Greencore, the Managing Director is well positioned to lead the Fine Lady Bakeries business with the support and guidance of the Heygate family.

Case study

Managing Director
Dole
The Italian business is one of the most successful within Dole Europe with a strong historic performance and broad portfolio of customers across the retail, wholesale, and foodservice market with recently developed new facilities which allows the business to capitalise on Doles unique vertically integrated supply chain.

Eden worked closely with the President of Dole Europe and the Organisational Development Director of Total Produce to refine and define the skills, experiences, and characteristics for the appointment focusing on the blend of commercial experience, retail knowledge and strategic insight required to develop Dole Italy.

Once completed Eden completed a talent identification and engagement process within the Italian fresh produce and food manufacturing industry looking at country specific companies as well as pan European organisations. This identified over 156 candidates across southern Europe.

Our Head of Research and Managing Director worked together closely to deliver the key stages of candidate selection: identification, screening, assessment and validation. This approach delivered a shortlist of four candidates which Dole considered highly credible and interviewed; with two candidates being brought back for a 2nd stage and third stage site tours. This process was conducted in complete confidentiality.

The result:

After an extensive search and interview process Dole Europe appointed a very experienced Commercial Director from Ferrero who stepped into their first Managing Director with great success harnessing the power of the Dole vertical supply chain with extensive knowledge of product and brand development from the wider food sector.

Eden Search

Contact details

Our offices
Oakgate House,
25 Market Place
Wetherby, LS22 6LQ
0113 834 6634
Registered in England No. 07449318. VAT Registration No. 102 292949.
info@edensearch.co.uk www.edensearch.co.uk