Case Study: Chair Recruitment | SPEAR
We partnered with SPEAR, a long-standing homelessness charity that supports people across south west London, to recruit their Chair.
SPEAR is a long-standing homelessness charity that supports people across south west London. For more than 35 years, it has supported people at some of the most difficult points in their lives. From street outreach to accommodation and longer-term support, SPEAR helps people find stability and moves them forward towards a positive future.
The charity approached us to appoint its new Chair at an important point for the organisation. They sought a Chair to be responsible for guiding the organisation’s strategic direction, strengthening governance and collaborating with the Chief Executive to deliver SPEAR’s ambition, moving beyond responding to homelessness towards helping to end it.
Context.
With an active and engaged Board and leadership team, SPEAR has grown its work across several south west London boroughs and expanded the range of support it provides.
This growth brings new complexities. SPEAR operates in a funding and policy environment that continually evolves, and the organisation needed clear oversight at board level to balance ambition with sustainability, while maintaining strong relationships with partners and funders.
Appointing a new Chair represented an opportunity to support the organisation in building on what was already working, while helping SPEAR to sharpen its strategic focus and strengthen the impact of its work over time.
Brief.
We worked with the Chief Executive and Trustees to shape a brief that reflected both the organisation’s strengths and was honest about the leadership and governance SPEAR would need as it continued to grow.
The brief focused on appointing a Chair who could:
- Provide confident, values-led governance and strategic oversight.
- Foster a collaborative and engaged board culture.
- Build a strong, trusting partnership with the Chief Executive.
- Support the organisation to navigate an evolving external landscape while maintaining focus on impact.
Our search combined a targeted approach with an emphasis on values and personal fit. We looked for individuals with strong governance credibility alongside the emotional intelligence and judgement required to operate a complex, people-centred organisation.
We also took a broad view of the market, speaking to candidates from different sectors who could bring relevant leadership, policy and organisational experience, while still aligning closely with SPEAR’s purpose and values.
Throughout the search, we maintained open communication with SPEAR, sharing market insight and testing assumptions to ensure a positive and transparent experience for candidates.
Outcome.
The campaign resulted in strong applicants, with five candidates going through to preliminary interviews, and two went on to the final stage.
The appointed Chair brought a strong mix of senior executive and non-executive experience. Their background included leading large-scale organisational transformation, shaping leadership culture and operating within complex public and policy environments.
Throughout the process, they demonstrated an understanding of what the Chair role required, with a focus on enabling effective governance, building a cohesive and confident board and supporting the Chief Executive through constructive challenge and partnership.
They also showed a commitment to widening opportunity and tackling structural inequality aligned closely with SPEAR’s mission. This was matched with a practical understanding of governance and organisational leadership gained through both executive and non-executive roles.
The process itself was highly collaborative and well-informed, and through our advice and stewardship, the Trustees reached a decision with confidence. The appointment has strengthened the Board’s leadership and given SPEAR a Chair well-suited to supporting its ambitions while maintaining focus on effective, sustainable delivery.
Category: Board Recruitment & Development
Consultant in charge
Clare Chesworth
Head of Social Justice
Clare Chesworth is Head of Social Justice at Peridot Partners. She brings extensive experience in recruitment, HR, and employability across diverse sectors, including events, education, and social justice. Over her recruitment career, she has honed invaluable skills such as active listening, building strong relationships, and fostering collaboration to deliver meaningful outcomes for clients and candidates consistently.
With a passion for supporting marginalised communities, Clare focuses particularly on improving employment opportunities for individuals with additional needs. Before joining Peridot, she designed and led a post-16 provision at a SEN school, preparing young people with autism for apprenticeships and employment. Her dedication to equality, diversity and inclusion has driven her throughout her career, both in her work and as a school governor.
At Peridot, Clare's focus has expanded to working with organisations tackling complex social issues like homelessness and housing. She has led high-profile recruitment campaigns for leadership roles at charities such as Caudwell Children, Society of St James, and YMCA Downslink, always striving to place the right people in roles where they can make a lasting impact.
Outside of work, Clare is deeply involved in her local community and enjoys theatre, cooking for loved ones, and cheering on her sons at rugby matches. Friendly and approachable, she combines her professional expertise with a genuine care for people and their potential.
