Board Member with Exit Experience

CRO - USA

Highlight

Strengthened investor readiness ahead of strategic exit

The Brief

An investor-backed contract research organisation sought to appoint a Board Member with a proven CRO exit on their track record. The goal was to strengthen strategic oversight and prepare the company for a potential sale within the next two to three years. The CEO was seeking a board-level partner who could advise on internal systems, investment readiness, and commercial positioning in order to maximise value at the point of transaction. The brief required an individual who could bring both governance experience and practical insight into how to guide a services business through the complex journey toward liquidity.

The Challenge

The ideal Board Member needed to combine operational empathy with investor alignment. This meant not only understanding the day-to-day realities of running a CRO but also anticipating the requirements of private equity sponsors and strategic buyers. Few individuals had both perspectives. The strongest candidates were those who had personally led or advised on the sale of a CRO, giving them first-hand knowledge of buyer expectations, diligence priorities, and the value inflection points that matter most during negotiations. At the same time, cultural alignment was critical: the CEO needed a board partner who could balance challenge with support and who shared a long-term vision for the company’s growth and eventual exit.

Our Approach

We conducted a highly targeted search that began with CROs backed by private equity and venture investors that had successfully exited within the past five years. From this foundation, we identified executives and advisors who had been directly involved in transaction processes and who could translate that experience into boardroom impact. Sourcing strategies included leveraging board-level networks, engaging transaction advisors familiar with recent deals, and using referral channels from limited partners who had visibility on experienced operators. Candidates were evaluated not only on technical experience in M&A but also on their ability to operate effectively within a governance framework, advise CEOs on investor narrative, and support key management hires that would strengthen the organisation’s readiness for sale.

Outcome

We appointed a Board Member who had previously sold a preclinical CRO and brought extensive experience advising CEOs through governance transitions and exit preparations. Since joining, they have actively supported the company through strategic planning cycles, made key introductions to strengthen senior hiring, and contributed to the development of an investor narrative tailored for potential buyers. Their involvement has provided the leadership team and investors with confidence that the business is aligned with buyer expectations and on track to maximise value at the point of transaction.

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