Interim HR Manager in place within days during Corona
It has worked out perfectly – thanks to Nextt & Mason ability to quickly assess and understand our business and combine our needs with a shortlist of three HR candidates from their database of 4.500 candidates.
- CLIENT: KOSAN GAS OWNED BY UGI INTERNATIONAL
- POSITION: INTERIM HR MANAGER NORDIC
- DURATION: 5 MONTHS INTERIM RESULTING IN A PERMANENT POSITION
WHY INTERIM?
One of our HR Partners in Denmark had resigned with only one month’s notice, potentially affecting the administration and handling of all HR tasks related to our daily business as well as our ongoing global transformation process.
We quickly realized that we did not have enough time to recruit for a permanent position if we wanted an overlap between the existing HR Manager and the new one. Therefore, an interim HR Manager was the right solution. It enabled us to continue operations seamlessly while recruiting for a permanent position in parallel.
THE PROCESS
Our previous HR Manager reached out to Christian Hvashøj Schaarup from Nextt & Mason. I had no local knowledge in this respect and, sitting in the UK, I feared it might be difficult to secure an effective process. However, within a very short period of time, I was presented with a shortlist of three candidates based on my introductory briefing.
To be precise: I received the candidate details on a Wednesday, interviews took place the next day, and by Monday our new interim HR Manager had started. It only took three working days to complete the process. This swift handling secured us one week of overlap and a full week of joint cooperation between the outgoing and incoming HR Managers.
Our interim candidate turned out to be the perfect match – to such an extent that the interim position has since been transformed into a permanent position within our Nordic HR team.
THE CANDIDATE
The shortlist of three eligible candidates provided a solid foundation for making a sound decision. All were competent and experienced, but one candidate stood out as the clear match.
My area of responsibility covers both the UK and the Nordic countries, where HR practices differ significantly due to variations in employment law, work culture, and organizational traditions. I therefore rely heavily on my local teams — their skills, competence, and experience are crucial. Nextt & Mason demonstrated an excellent understanding of this dynamic.
NO CROSS-BORDER COMPLICATIONS
The interim hiring took place during a peak period of COVID-19, when travel and face-to-face meetings were restricted. Normally, I prefer to meet candidates in person, as it helps build stronger business and employee relationships. However, given the circumstances, we used Teams and Zoom and based our hiring on virtual interactions.
It worked out perfectly – thanks to Nextt & Mason’s ability to quickly understand our business and align our needs with the right candidates from their extensive network.
Owing to their high level of service and flexibility, we have managed to handle all daily HR tasks while also maintaining momentum on the HR work related to our global transformation project. Our pace has been steady, and all deadlines have been met.
Every response, every point of contact was handled swiftly and with great focus. They provided reassurance, clear communication, and a consistently professional and friendly service. Nextt & Mason are organized, quick to interpret business needs, and proactive in their execution.
ABOUT KOSAN GAS
Kosan Gas is one of the leading suppliers of energy solutions in the Nordics. The Nordic operations are part of one of four global regions covering 17 countries and generating a turnover of approximately EUR 2.3 billion.
The organization is currently undergoing a transformation process, merging previously autonomous entities into regional and more centralized structures. The Nordic division, covering Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, employs around 100 people in total.
