Leadership Assessment - Ensuring the Right CEO Succession

The Client 

Our client, a mid-sized single family office specialized in acquiring and managing stakes in companies with significant growth potential. The firm focuses on long-term partnerships and provides both capital and strategic support. The asset in this case is a global leader in high-precision CNC turning and milling solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and tailored solutions, they serve a diverse range of industries, including medical technology, luxury goods, and precision mechanics.

The Challenge 

Alpine One was approached by Boyden partner Tapani Hänninen. In 2024, the client acquired the majority of a mid-sized German engineering company with deep regional roots. The previous owners, a family that had led the company for over 80 years, retained a minority stake and continue to oversee day-to-day operations.

As part of a planned transition, the first step involves appointing a technical managing director with the potential to assume the CEO role in the future in lieu of the further transition involving the gradual handover and exit of the current leadership team.

The investment firm and the previous owners engaged Alpine One to design and execute a tailored assessment process to evaluate the suitability of potential external candidates. The objective was to provide a well-founded recommendation based on the specific needs of the company and its future leadership requirements.

The client sought an approach that would validate the key priorities they had defined for the role—especially cultural fit, leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and self-reliance, including the willingness to make decisions, take initiative, and demonstrate innovative thinking. Beyond determining who best fits the position, it was essential to identify areas where the candidate might need to grow and the kind of support they would require to excel in their responsibilities.

The Solution

The process began with an initial alignment meeting to clarify the client’s key priorities for the role, focusing on cultural fit, leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and self-reliance. This phase also aimed to build trust and foster a deeper understanding of the two managing partners, creating a solid foundation for collaboration. It established a shared perspective on the critical success factors and specific demands of the role.

To refine the candidate assessment process, a tailored evaluation framework was developed based on these priorities. This framework incorporated both the results of diagnostic evaluations and insights from the client’s initial impressions of candidates and their CVs. A customized, structured interview guide was then crafted to ensure a consistent and comprehensive evaluation across all candidates.

The structured interviews featured a case-solving exercise designed to evaluate candidates’ strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in a practical context. Additionally, candidates underwent behavioral observations during job-related simulations, assessing their interpersonal skills, decision-making under pressure, and ability to communicate effectively during critical discussions. A psychological in-depth interview further explored their motivations and drivers.

The findings from these assessments were synthesized into a comprehensive evaluation report. This report highlighted each candidate’s strengths, areas for development, alignment with the role, cultural fit, and potential integration with the existing leadership team. It served as the foundation for strategic discussions with the client and minority owners, enabling a clear, well-informed decision-making process.

The Results 

The collaborative and comprehensive approach successfully delivered actionable insights, enabling the client to make a confident, informed hiring decision.The selected candidate demonstrated a strong alignment with the organization’s priorities, showcasing outstanding leadership capabilities, strategic acumen, and a commitment to decision-making and innovation. Additionally, the evaluation process provided the client with a clear roadmap for supporting the new leader’s development, ensuring their seamless integration and long-term success in the role.