November Sessions 2025: Reflections from our co-CEOs, Ben & Botty

The November Sessions are LHi Group’s annual leadership programme, bringing the C-Suite together with teams across the business to reconnect in person, hear directly from leaders, and align on strategy for the year ahead. 

This year’s Sessions marked an important milestone for the Group, as they were the first November Sessions led by our new co-CEOs, Ben Richardson and Michael Bott. Over three weeks, the C-Suite travelled across the US and Europe, visiting offices in LA, Austin, Miami, New York, London and Bristol.

Throughout the Sessions, leaders shared open and honest reflections on performance, plans and priorities, while the co-CEOs gained first-hand insight into the culture, ambition and opportunities across the business as we look ahead to 2026 and beyond.

As the November Sessions come to a close, we sat down with Ben and Botty to reflect on the journey, the themes that stood out, and what it all means for the future of LHi.

What was the most rewarding part of reconnecting with each office in person?

Botty: "Every office had great energy, and there was a consistent theme of the LHi DNA running through each office floor. Nothing beats being there in person, seeing what the leaders are presenting firsthand gives us even more confidence in what’s to come through 2026."

Ben: "Going around the offices and seeing everyone in person always reminds me of the exceptional talent we have across the group, being able to see the confidence, passion and commitment our brand and office leaders have was the most rewarding part of the tour for me!"

Did any consistent themes or insights stand out across the sessions?

Botty: "The leaders had really understood the brief well, giving us great insight into our current customer base, our plans to maximise the potential within them. Every leader delved into each Consultant / Leader, looking at areas of improvement, opportunities for bigger roles. And finally the need for everyone within LHi to be more visible, through social media, events, face to face meetings, talks, round tables, it’s a common theme for 2026."

Ben: "With building a true LHi customer base being a key strategic pillar for 2026, there was a really clear theme of offering our customers a genuine solution based service as opposed to a transactional recruitment offering. Each leader is committed to driving our teams to lead with a consultative offering which aligns well considering we can now offer our clients: Contingent recruitment, Exec Search, Contract & SOW based work, Talent and leadership advisory, Project and consulting AND Embedded / RPO services." 

What did you learn or notice about the teams that surprised or inspired you?

Botty: "It’s not a surprise, but the confidence every leader portrayed in their office or brand was awesome to see. A true belief they have the right people to push to a new level in 2026."

Ben: "I really felt that in every brand, every office and every market, that we have a HUGE opportunity to grow next year. It was apparent we are barely scraping the surface level in each of our markets and that was a very pleasant surprise."

Was there a particular moment or story that will stay with you from the trip?

Botty: "I really enjoyed beating the Miami team in a round of golf with Mike G, there was a lot of chat before landing, but Mike and I used all our experience to win both matches!"

Ben: "I think the full office nights out in Austin and Bristol were standouts for me. Its rare that we get the chance to spend an evening with a whole office, so I really enjoyed those evenings. Both were straight after their townhalls so it was nice to have some more 'informal' questions about the business to add to the townhall questions we had." 

How do these visits tie into our goals and plans for 2026?

Botty: "There are absolutely vital to our plans for 2026. Every Leader across the Group now has a clear business plan to execute through 2026. It gives the board a real insight to where support is needed, biggest impact areas, and most exciting, opportunities for scale."

Ben: "These sessions are all about setting clear visions and goals for next year so they couldn’t tie in more!"

Any final message to the wider business?

Botty: "All offices should be super excited for the plans presented by the leadership teams for 2026. All leaders showed the ability to reflect, articulate learns, and then provide solutions to help the business continue to scale. Many changes have taken place through 2025, so 2026 is now a year to execute our simple but effect plans, its going to be one hell of a fun year."

Ben: "Agree with Botty, I hope there is a real sense of excitement and momentum as we move into 2026. 2025 was the year of Innovation, with new roles created, new teams, new people in new seats, but we are now set up to attack 2026 and 2027."