The Brief

OHM, the electromagnetic remote sensing company, originated as a new technology company coming out of Southampton University in 2002. The start-up company had raised £4m seed funding in partnership with IP2IPO and required a CEO to be appointed to the Board, to assume full responsibility for the effective management of the company. This was a critical appointment requiring an outstanding individual with a proven record in managing the implementation and growth of a successful organisation and experience of the investment industry. The established project team had an energetic, innovative and dynamic approach, and the CEO would offer leadership and direction.

The Solution

After signing a confidentiality agreement for this commercially sensitive appointment, an extensive international search was undertaken in May 2002. Potential candidates were targeted from a wide variety of backgrounds including small speculative players active in frontier exploration and new high technology entrants to the services industry. As with all senior search assignments, Robi Signorelli, Managing Partner, made all the initial contacts ensuring that a positive and informed picture was painted of the opportunity. A short list of five highly qualified candidates offering excellent and diverse experience was presented, culminating in a very successful appointment.

The Result

OHM listed on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in March 2004. It is now headquartered at the Offshore Technology Park in Aberdeen and is the world's leading provider of Controlled Source Electromagnetic Imaging (CSEMI) services. In May 2005 OHM was nominated as one of four finalists for the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award, the UK's most prestigious engineering prize.

David Pratt, Chief Executive, commented. "OHM has made enormous progress over the last three years and I believe our nomination for this most prestigious of awards reflects our success in developing and commercialising our leading edge technology. Looking ahead, our major challenge is to further develop the quality and scope of our CSEMI technique whilst accelerating industry's adoption of our offering."

For further information visit www.ohmsurveys.com.