Why Succession Planning Matters More Than Ever
In the most recent episode of The MorePeople Podcast, our CEO, Andrew Fitzmaurice, sat down with Guy Moreton, Chairman and Founder of MorePeople, for a candid conversation about one of the most pressing yet often overlooked issues in business today: succession planning.
Whether you’re leading a growing team or planning for the next decade of your company’s journey, this episode is a must-listen and this blog brings you the key highlights.
So... What Is Succession Planning?
Guy Moreton breaks it down simply:
“Succession planning is the strategic identification of key people in your business and the roles they could fulfill in the future to ensure continuity and growth.”
It’s about making sure your business is future-ready. Not just for expected changes like retirements and promotions, but also for sudden shifts, resignations, illnesses, or unforeseen absences.
And yet, as Guy points out, “Most businesses are so focused on delivering today that they forget to plan for tomorrow.”
Why It’s Non-Negotiable
We’ve seen it time and again: when key individuals leave suddenly, businesses scramble to fill the gap. That scramble costs time, money, and sometimes even reputation.
In candidate-short industries like fresh produce, agriculture, food, and horticulture, those challenges are amplified. According to Guy:
“If you’ve got a proper succession plan, you can promote from within, which saves money, time, and disruption. Done right, the process is seamless. That’s the word we keep coming back to.”
And when it's seamless, customers, suppliers, and your internal teams remain confident. Your business keeps running smoothly and that matters.
Not Just for the C-Suite
Many companies make the mistake of thinking succession planning is only for senior leadership roles.
Wrong.
True succession planning looks at every level of the business. From your MD down to shop-floor trainees.
“What happens if that person isn’t there tomorrow?”
That’s the litmus test for whether a role should be part of your plan.
And yes, this can feel overwhelming. But there is a place to start.
Where to Begin?
Start at the top.
Map out the key strategic roles, board level and senior management and then work down.
From there, consider:
Which roles are business-critical?
What internal talent could step into those roles?
Where are the gaps?
Who might be developed into future leaders?
“You can’t do it all at once,” says Guy. “But starting somewhere is better than not starting at all.”
Should You Get Outside Help?
In short: yes.
External support like non-executive directors, HR consultants, or leadership coaches can make a massive difference. They bring an outside perspective, real-world experience, and the headspace to focus on long-term planning.
Non-execs, in particular, are uniquely placed to champion succession planning without being tied up in daily operations.
Practising What We Preach
At MorePeople, succession planning isn’t just something we talk about. It’s something we live.
Andrew is a perfect example of our internal succession strategy. Joining the business over a decade ago, he grew through the ranks into the CEO role as part of a planned, deliberate transition.
When Peter retired, we brought in Rich Hanwell as MD, another strategic hire, aligned with our long-term plan.
And we didn’t stop there.
“We’ve also mapped out our management capability across the team and identified people with the potential to step up,” says Guy.
From internal training programs to expansion into new sectors, we’re building a business that’s ready for the future and helping our clients do the same.
Succession Is Never ‘One and Done’
The point of a succession plan is not to write it once and lock it away.
“It’s a living, breathing process,” Andrew explains. “The moment you tick it off as done, you risk falling behind.”
We regularly review, update, and adjust our plan based on:
Growth ambitions
Emerging talent
Shifting business needs
Your Next Step
We’re about to release our Succession Planning White Paper, packed with insights, case studies, and practical tools to help you get started.
But if you're ready to talk sooner, whether about continuity of leadership, team development, or simply future-proofing your business, reach out.
Our team at MorePeople is here to help.
