#88 Building an ethical executive search company, Simon Lucas founder & CEO of Society

Simon Lucas joins Purposely to share his founder story launching executive search firm Society.

We hear how Simon stumbled into a career in recruitment in the UK, eventually taking a leadership role in the industry. He innovated when he went out on his own with a distinctly responsible, ethical and sustainable approach to executive search.

Founded by Simon in 2005 Society is a B Corp Certified executive search firm that has a dual focus of both purpose and profit. Now a global company It was set up to add value to society and make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Simon explains his thinking and how the power of meeting people’s needs rather than just sales can lead to commercial success. We hear how his team thrived despite the challenges presented by the pandemic and the long lock down.

Society’s headquarters are in London with offices in the United States and New Zealand. Each year they donate 10% of their profits to good causes through their own Foundation. The foundation is an independent charity dedicated to tackling issues of workforce inclusion.

Simon grew up in South Wales, and read Philosophy and Politics at the University of Warwick. Along the way, he was Head Boy of Olchfa Comprehensive School in Swansea, and President of the Students’ Union at Warwick. Before setting up Society, Simon was an employee of executive search firm Perrett Laver for several years. He is now a founding Trustee of The Society Foundation and a Trustee of Hitchin Girls' School in Hertfordshire. Simon lives in North Hertfordshire with his wife and his two children.  His company website describes him as having, ‘a ridiculously large collection of DVDs and a bit of a history and politics buff, with a soft spot for what he calls 'classic' rock.