Strategic European Expansion Campaign, WescoAnixter
The Client
WescoAnixter is a leading global business operating within the electrical and electronic distribution sector. With a strong presence in established markets, they identified a strategic opportunity to expand their footprint across mainland Europe, targeting larger, complex distribution partners and multinational customers.
To support this growth, the business required experienced commercial and product leadership capable of driving market entry, building strategic relationships and accelerating revenue across multiple European regions.
The Requirement
Novo was engaged to partner on a strategic recruitment campaign to support WescoAnixter European expansion. Rather than hiring individual roles in isolation, the objective was to build a high calibre, senior team that could collectively deliver growth across new and developing markets.
The brief focused on appointing experienced professionals across several critical functions, including:
- Heads of Sales
- National Accounts Leaders
- Heads of Product Management
- Heads of Campaign Management
All roles were based throughout mainland Europe and required individuals with a strong understanding of the electrical and electronic distribution landscape, experience selling into large, complex organisations and the capability to operate autonomously across international markets.
The Solution
Novo worked closely with WescoAnixter’s senior leadership team to develop a cohesive recruitment strategy aligned to their wider European growth ambitions. This included defining role scope, understanding regional market dynamics and aligning on the profiles required to succeed in competitive, mature markets.
Our approach combined executive search methodology with a campaign-based delivery model. We conducted targeted, pan European searches, focusing on senior commercial and product professionals within large electrical and electronic distribution businesses and adjacent sectors.
Key elements of our approach included:
- Mapping and targeting senior leadership talent within leading European distribution organisations
- Assessing candidates for strategic commercial capability, market knowledge and international experience
- Evaluating leadership style, stakeholder management skills and ability to build relationships across borders
- Managing a coordinated hiring process across multiple roles and geographies
Throughout the campaign, Novo acted as a strategic partner, providing market insight, salary benchmarking and guidance on talent availability across different European regions.
The Outcome
The campaign resulted multiple successful senior hires across business development, account management and product and campaign leadership roles, all based in mainland Europe. Novo placed candidates within Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain.
These individuals played a key role in accelerating WescoAnixter’s European expansion, strengthening relationships with large distribution partners and establishing a strong commercial foundation across new markets. The success of the campaign reinforced Novo’s ability to deliver complex, multi hire international recruitment projects aligned to long term growth strategies.
