Gentex Corporation, Human Resources Director
The Client
Gentex Corporation is a long-established leader in personal protection and situational awareness technologies, serving defence, emergency response, and industrial sectors. With over 125 years of innovation behind them, Gentex has built a reputation for high-quality, no-compromise products. The company operates globally, with key facilities in the US and Europe, including its European HQ in Letchworth Garden City, UK.
The Requirement
Gentex needed to find a new Human Resources Director for its European operations. The previous HR Director had successfully guided the business through a period of growth and transformation, including integrating new acquisitions and aligning the European culture more closely with the global organisation.
With her departure, Gentex was looking for someone who could pick up the baton and continue driving strategic HR initiatives while also being hands-on with day-to-day operations. The role required someone who could lead change, support leadership, and build strong relationships across multiple sites—especially in a fast-paced, evolving manufacturing environment.
The Solution
Novo partnered closely with Gentex’s leadership team to understand exactly what they needed—not just in terms of skills and experience, but also personality and cultural fit. Together, we crafted a search strategy that focused on finding HR professionals who could operate at both strategic and operational levels.
- We looked for candidates with:
- Strong organisational development and change management experience
- A collaborative leadership style
- The ability to navigate complex employee relations
- Experience in multi-site, international businesses—ideally in manufacturing
Novo ran a targeted search across relevant sectors and geographies, engaging with candidates who had the right mix of expertise and values. We made sure the process was smooth, discreet, and aligned with Gentex’s timeline.
The Outcome
Gentex successfully appointed a new Human Resources Director based in Haydock, UK. The chosen candidate brought deep HR expertise, a strategic mindset, and a genuine passion for people and culture. They quickly built strong relationships across the business and began shaping the next phase of HR development in Europe.
This appointment has helped Gentex continue its journey of integration and growth, with HR playing a central role in supporting the company’s evolving needs.
