Cultivating Success: HydRegen’s Leadership Journey Towards Commercial Excellence

Originally posted by Horizon 37

From the outset of our partnership with HydRegen in June 2023, we have witnessed exceptional progress across all fronts, aligning with the leadership outcomes we collectively defined. Our joint efforts have revolved around pivotal transformation themes that have reshaped the company’s trajectory.

Read more about Holly’s motivation for this partnership on LinkedIn:

how to grow at team that felt safe, valued, motivated and respected, but where every team member was aligned, productive and accountable

focusing on my own training wasn’t enough as the team started to grow. We needed more ‘Leaders’.

RESULTS

With the ScaleUp Institute endorsed Horizon Method, HydRegen transitioned from a culture of technical perfectionism to one that prioritises commercial momentum and pace, allowing the team to gain a competitive edge and achieve significant product sales milestones.

“I went from lab to leader. I created and lived into My Leader Self – with clear purpose in my business, and playing to my strengths. I’m able to generate results with lots of different people. Taking it further, I’m cascading leadership in my Exec team and beyond.” – Holly Reeve , CEO and Co-founder

The key identified programme objectives were:

Technical perfectionism → Commercial momentum and pace
Let a thousand flowers bloom → Focus and hit the big milestones
Committed to hiring and clear on the urgency → Strong employer brand & Team building
All hands on deck ethos → Performance optimised by people in the right roles
High potential leaders → High performing leaders

“These five FROM:TO themes changed our mentality as a leadership team of 4 and that changed how we interacted with everyone – the team, the customers, the board. We got clear and confident – yes, we just have to go now!”

Context: who is HydRegen

Oxford-based HydRegen are redefining chemical manufacturing, bringing together the elegance of biology and intensification of modern chemistry. By selecting the best and most robust components from nature, they build industrially-relevant bio-based manufacturing technologies that solve real problems in sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Having raised a funding round in Spring 2023, they were keen to invest in their leadership team and step up to enable commercial success.

Impact

Our joint focus on hiring the right talent and establishing efficient processes has paid dividends, ensuring that each role is filled with individuals who not only excel but also contribute meaningfully to the company’s objectives. This strategic approach has empowered HydRegen to create the next generation of leaders within the organisation. Individuals who are not only capable but also play to their strengths, driving innovation and growth.

“We have proven we can succeed in hiring, now we are working on making it repeatable – consolidating systems and manuals”

One of the standout successes of our collaboration has been the commitment to delegation among the leadership team. By empowering leaders to step into strategic roles, we have unlocked a new level of effectiveness and agility within the company. Additionally, leveraging Hey360 for feedback has provided invaluable insights for each leader, enabling them to focus on areas that drive maximum performance aligned with the shared vision of “the Great HydRegen Leader.“

Communication has also been a cornerstone of our strategy, with deliberate efforts to communicate priorities and progress transparently across all levels of the organisation. This approach has built confidence and buy-in among stakeholders, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

“My team has a wide spectrum of people and before I wondered how does anyone have time to tailor comms and activities for individuals this much? I was overwhelmed. The mindset change was a huge leap, I was able to understand them, them me, all of them each other after the diversity training and now it’s just getting easier and easier to work effectively as a team.”

Our initiatives haven’t stopped at internal processes; we’ve also laid the groundwork for maximising value from Board and Exec Team interactions. By sharing and further embedding company values—Productive, Collaborative, Safe, and Respectful—HydRegen cultivated a culture that encourages generosity in feedback and promotes continuous improvement.

Furthermore, the leadership team’s adoption of the GROW coaching model and structured decision-making processes has empowered every team member to develop their skills and contribute effectively to the company’s success. By appreciating diverse perspectives and embracing untapped value within the organisation, HydRegen is poised for continued growth and success in the dynamic market landscape.

Results

“I’ve understood where I bring the most value and ask: am I the best person to do that?”

What’s next?

After an intense period of learning and growth, making big decisions, learning new skills and figuring out the best ways to align and progress as a team, the key is consolidation and sustained implementation.

“We need to get the team on board now, cascade and proliferate and make this all repeatable.”

HydRegen completed their Discovery, Align and Transform (DAT) programme with a clear set of committed habits to keep their day to day progress on track:

CODE Framework: Commercialisation, Openness, Decisions, Example

In the coming months, the senior team has a plan to proliferate the frameworks, methods and skills across the business – creating high-expectations and ownership for solutions. Specifically, HydRegen is focussed on solidifying their commercially focussed culture at all levels, normalising feedback conversations for maximum performance and trust, and implementing excellent performance management.

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Horizon37 designs and delivers leadership programmes for exec teams and individuals ready to step-up their leadership, enabling them to succeed in breaking new ground.

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