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Boards
The most effective boards bring a diversity of thinking, experience and approach that creates a crucible for the most effective and robust decision making, inviting challenge and debate and eradicating group think. We advise boards on how to measure their effectiveness and help companies appoint and develop the optimal chair and non-executive directors.
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Amanda Smithson
Managing Partner
Amanda Smithsonamanda.smithson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0273LondonAmanda is the Managing Partner and a member of the Investment Banking, Private Equity, Board and Executive Assessment practices. She advises on leadership development, team effectiveness and senior appointments across investment banking, private equity and the boardroom. Prior to Blackwood, Amanda worked at Morgan Stanley; she spent ten years in Mergers & Acquisitions in London and New York before becoming COO of the Investment Banking Division EMEA. She is a certified professional executive coach, Meyler Campbell Mastered, AC and WABC accredited and qualified with the British Psychological Society in psychometrics, including Hogan, FIRO-B, NEO PI-R, Wave, G-LJI, LJI, Implicitly®, TKI and MBTI®.
Prior experience: Morgan Stanley.
Education: English and Law at the University of Cambridge.
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Martina Ashley
Partner
Martina Ashleymartina.ashley@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0277LondonMartina works broadly across Financial Services, leading the work with private equity-backed financial services firms, as well as co-leading the work with institutional asset managers and endowments with a focus on public and liquid markets. She has worked extensively on the firm’s diversity initiatives and is also an Ambassador for The Diversity Project.
Prior experience: Goldman Sachs.
Education: Politics and Philosophy at the University of Bristol.
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Maria Henderson
Partner
Maria Hendersonmaria.henderson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0282Milan and LondonMaria leads the Consumer practice. She has extensive experience advising international clients in all sub-sectors of consumer, including branded fashion and luxury goods.
Prior experience: MBS Group, Korn Ferry, Skill Capital.
Education: Latin American Literature and Politics at University College London.
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Jonathan Lee
Partner
Jonathan Leejonathan.lee@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1804LondonJonathan leads the Tech practice and co-leads the FinTech practice. He has worked extensively across media, entertainment and technology enablement with a particular focus on the digital optimisation of businesses.
Prior experience: The Zygos Partnership, Russell Reynolds.
Education: Sports Science at Durham University.
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Chris Unwin
Partner
Chris Unwinchris.unwin@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)161 241 3305ManchesterChris leads the Financial Officers practice as well as Blackwood’s regional coverage, with responsibility for the firm's activities in the North and Midlands, advising businesses on board-level succession, management changes and leadership effectiveness.
Education: French and German at the University of Oxford.
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Financial officers
The CFO is one of the most often changed roles in companies experiencing high growth or transformation. We advise clients on how to assess how their finance function is guiding and facilitating their strategic ambitions. We build entire finance leadership teams equipped to act as the strategic advisers and partners to the board.
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Chris Unwin
Partner
Chris Unwinchris.unwin@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)161 241 3305ManchesterChris leads the Financial Officers practice as well as Blackwood’s regional coverage, with responsibility for the firm's activities in the North and Midlands, advising businesses on board-level succession, management changes and leadership effectiveness.
Education: French and German at the University of Oxford.
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Davide Cassanelli
Principal
Davide Cassanellidavide.cassanelli@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0257London and MilanDavide is a member of the Financial Officers practice and brings a decade of experience appointing CFOs in Private Equity portfolio companies across various sectors in the UK and Continental Europe. During his career, he has also worked with large international corporations.
Prior experience: Headrick & Struggles, Leathwaite.
Education: Economics and Business Administration at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. HR Management & Consulting at the University of Bath.
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Lucy O'Byrne
Senior Associate
Lucy O'Byrnelucy.obyrne@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0295LondonLucy is a member of the Financial Officer practice, hiring finance executives into private equity backed businesses, from the lower mid-market to large cap. She is a functional specialist and has supported businesses across all sectors.
Prior experience: Drax, Finatal.
Education: Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Leeds. Gender, Society and Representation at UCL.
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Billy Buddell
Associate
Billy Buddellbilly.buddell@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0279LondonBilly is a member of the Financial Officers and Tech practices and works on assignments across both sectors.
Prior experience: Smart Research HR.
Education: English at the University of Exeter. International Politics at SOAS.
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Olivia Hopkinson
Associate
Olivia Hopkinsonolivia.hopkinson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0281LondonOlivia is a member of the Financial Officers and Tech practices and works on assignments across both sectors.
Education: English Law and French Law at the University of Exeter.
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Pip Winchester
Associate
Pip Winchesterpip.winchester@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0293LondonPip is a member of the Financial Officers and Tech practices and works on assignments across both sectors.
Education: German at the University of Bristol.
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Hannah Johnston
Senior Executive Assistant
Hannah Johnstonhannah.johnston@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0296LondohnHannah is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Corporate practice and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration, and IT Group.
Education: Criminology and Sociology at the University of Surrey.
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Technology officers
Technology continues to challenge and change every part of a business. Technology leadership is vital to ensure your business, whatever its sector, is equipped for the future. Working with some of the most technologically advanced companies and continually seeking the disruptors in any industry, we have developed deep expertise in building technology functions including CTOs, CDOs, CISOs, CIOs and Data & Analytics.
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Jonathan Lee
Partner
Jonathan Leejonathan.lee@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1804LondonJonathan leads the Tech practice and co-leads the FinTech practice. He has worked extensively across media, entertainment and technology enablement with a particular focus on the digital optimisation of businesses.
Prior experience: The Zygos Partnership, Russell Reynolds.
Education: Sports Science at Durham University.
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Hope Hughes
Principal
Hope Hugheshope.hughes@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0258LondonHope is a member of the Tech practice with a focus on functional roles covering technology, product, data and AI.
Prior experience: Jagex.
Education: History and Politics at the University of Exeter.
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Grace Wookey
Principal
Grace Wookeygrace.wookey@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0256LondonGrace is a member of the Tech practice and works on assignments across sub-sectors, with a focus on B2B software and IT services. Prior to joining Blackwood, Grace worked at a specialist recruitment firm with a focus on the life sciences sector.
Prior experience: Meet Recruitment.
Education: Economics at the University of Birmingham.
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Patrick Hayes
Senior Associate
Patrick Hayespatrick.hayes@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1809LondonPatrick is a member of the Tech practice and works on assignments across the sector.
Education: English Literature and History at the University of Nottingham.
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Billy Buddell
Associate
Billy Buddellbilly.buddell@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0279LondonBilly is a member of the Financial Officers and Tech practices and works on assignments across both sectors.
Prior experience: Smart Research HR.
Education: English at the University of Exeter. International Politics at SOAS.
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Olivia Hopkinson
Associate
Olivia Hopkinsonolivia.hopkinson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0281LondonOlivia is a member of the Financial Officers and Tech practices and works on assignments across both sectors.
Education: English Law and French Law at the University of Exeter.
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Pip Winchester
Associate
Pip Winchesterpip.winchester@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0293LondonPip is a member of the Financial Officers and Tech practices and works on assignments across both sectors.
Education: German at the University of Bristol.
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Rosie Leslie
Senior Executive Assistant
Rosie Leslierosie.leslie@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1805LondonRosie is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Corporate practice and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration, and IT Group.
Education: Psychology at City, University of London.
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