Growing Roots: A Sustainability Director Executive Search Case Study

>The Background

Building the UK Team for a Sustainable Packaging Innovator

Woodly, a Finnish wood-based carbon-neutral packaging material company, came to Stanton Chase London looking for a sustainability director to expand its presence in the UK market. As they moved from the startup to scale-up phase, they needed someone to introduce their wood-based packaging alternative to a market where plastic still dominates.

>The Challenge

New Market, New Materials

Finding the right person proved challenging for several reasons. The role needed someone who knew both plastic and wood-based packaging inside out, with reliable connections in the food-to-go market. They would need to sell manufacturers on an innovative premium product that came in granular form—quite different from the packaging materials most were used to.

The job would also mean working mostly alone, as one of the first UK employees, while keeping in sync with the team back in Finland. We needed someone who’d be excited about joining a scale-up but who also brought the know-how and professionalism you typically find in larger companies.

>The Solution

Finding the Right Fit

We focused our search on people who had sustainability experience in established packaging companies but wanted to do something more entrepreneurial. We looked at companies that took sustainability seriously, talking to people who knew the technical side of packaging and believed in moving away from plastic.

We knew we needed someone who’d see the opportunity in leaving a big company for an exciting scale-up. The right person would need to understand what made Woodly’s product special and know how to explain that to potential clients.

>The Result

Experience Meets Opportunity

We found our answer in a Head of Recyclability, Sustainability, and Government Affairs professional. After 14 years at a major packaging firm with 427 employees, they were ready for a new challenge. Their industry knowledge, network, and enthusiasm for sustainability made them perfect for helping Woodly grow in the UK.

>Testimonials

Words from Both Sides of the Search

>Our Team

Getting Results in Sustainable Leadership

Stanton Chase London handled this search by tapping into our packaging industry network and understanding of what scale-ups need. We knew the sustainable packaging market in the UK well enough to find someone who matched what Woodly wanted as they expanded.