Consultant search
Partners
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Amanda Smithson Managing PartnerAmanda Smithsonamanda.smithson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0273London
Amanda 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 PartnerMartina Ashleymartina.ashley@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0277London
Martina co-leads the Investment Management Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She has a particular expertise in moving and building teams and defining the strategy and execution of building new routes to market. 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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Harry Chetwood PartnerHarry Chetwoodharry.chetwood@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0289London
Harry co-leads the Investment Management Practice and is Chair of the Financial Services Practice. He has particular expertise in advising clients on succession planning, strategic reviews and working with start-up groups ahead of launch. Prior to joining Blackwood, Harry worked within search focusing on investment management and corporate finance. He started his career as an Assistant Fund Manager at Smith & Williamson Investment Management. Harry is a Trustee of the Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation and a member of the MCC Nominations Committee.
Prior experience: Smith & Williamson Investment Management.
Education: Theology and Anthropology at Durham University.
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Joanne Clayton PartnerJoanne Claytonjoanne.clayton@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0297London
Joanne leads the Private Equity Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She advises clients across the sector on their needs within the investment team, IR and operating functions, with a particular specialisation in senior team leaders across new investment strategies and first-time funds. She has worked extensively on the firm’s Social Mobility initiatives.
Prior experience: Freshminds.
Education: Modern History at the University of St Andrews with a year studying History and Political Science in the US.
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Annie Doherty PartnerAnnie Dohertyannie.doherty@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0263London
Annie co-leads the Investment Management Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She specialises in advising clients across the liquidity spectrum on their senior leadership needs and strategies. Her diverse client work across asset classes has included senior investment leadership roles as well as CIOs and distribution professionals.
Prior experience: Saxton Bampfylde Hever.
Education: Sociology and Law at Durham University.
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Maria Henderson PartnerMaria Hendersonmaria.henderson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0282Milan and London
Maria 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 PartnerJonathan Leejonathan.lee@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1804London
Jonathan 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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Richard Marshall PartnerRichard Marshallrichard.marshall@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0260London
Richard leads the Business Services Practice and advises listed, private and private equity-backed businesses across the entirety of business services. He has particular expertise in professional services, technology-enabled services and education.
Prior experience: Astbury Marsden.
Education: Geography with International Relations at the University of Plymouth.
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Chris Unwin PartnerChris Unwinchris.unwin@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)161 241 3305Manchester
Chris 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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Nigel Lloyd Associate PartnerNigel Lloydnigel.lloyd@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0284London
Nigel leads the Investment Banking and Infrastructure Practices and is a member of the Private Equity and Financial Services Practices. He focuses on recruiting senior Investment Banking professionals across M&A, sector coverage and leveraged finance. Within private equity, he specialises in investor relations appointments.
Prior experience: Global executive search firm; Close Brothers (now DC Advisory).
Education: English Literature at University College London.
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Shaneen Makhani Associate PartnerShaneen Makhanishaneen.makhani@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0251London
Shaneen is a member of the Private Equity Practice with a particular focus on leading senior and mid-level appointments. She is also a member of the Financial Services Practice, advising clients and candidates on the crossover between all forms of investment.
Prior experience: Disaster relief charity.
Education: Politics and International Relation at the University of Warwick with a year studying Economic Globalisation and Development at SOAS University of London.
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Jamie McKinnell Associate PartnerJamie McKinnelljamie.mckinnell@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1810London
Jamie leads the Real Estate Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. He advises real estate investors, owners, operators, and consultants on both executive and non-executive leadership hires. He has worked with clients in the sector for over 15 years in both London and Hong Kong, and has successfully conducted assignments across the EMEA, Asia Pacific and North American markets.
Prior experience: Sousou Partners.
Education: History at the University of Leeds.
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Will Terry Associate PartnerWill Terrywill.terry@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0253London
Will is an Associate Partner and a member of the Financial Services Practice. He leads the Private Markets team. He has considerable experience advising a variety of clients including alternative investment firms, long-only funds, hedge funds, family offices and pension funds. He has particular expertise in private markets, equities and alternatives.
Prior experience: Specialist executive search firm within the equities team
Education: Literature & Philosophy at Leeds University
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Alexandra Anton PrincipalAlexandra Antonalexandra.anton@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0252London
Alex is a Senior Associate within the Financial Services Practice, working across Real Asset and Private Equity mandates.
Prior experience: Freshminds
Education: Law at King’s College London
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James Barker PrincipalJames Barkerjames.barker@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0290London
James co-leads the Leadership Advisory practice. He specialises in leadership assessments and executive coaching, supporting business leaders with decisions as part of Board or Senior Leadership restructuring or development, M&A due diligence, succession planning or culture change processes. James has extensive international experience working with clients across a diverse range of sectors. He is certified in a variety of psychometric assessment tools, has partnered clients to develop and implement a range of leadership and functional competency frameworks and is a valued executive coach.
Prior experience: Mercuri Urval, Frost & Sullivan
Education: Sociology at Durham University; MBA at Warwick Business School
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Davide Cassanelli PrincipalDavide Cassanellidavide.cassanelli@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0257London and Milan
Davide 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 & Business Administration at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; HR Management & Consulting at the University of Bath.
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Katharine Davenport PrincipalKatharine Davenportkatharine.davenport@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1811London
Katharine is a member of the Business Services Practice and leads on professional services. Her sub-sector focus includes consulting, legal services, accountancy, testing, inspection and certification, fund administration and corporate services, HCM and recruitment, business process outsourcing and governance, risk and compliance. Prior to joining Blackwood, Katharine worked as an analyst at a business intelligence and risk consulting firm.
Prior experience: S-RM Business Intelligence.
Education: Development Studies at the London School of Economics; Geography at the University of Oxford.
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Anneka Ghedia PrincipalAnneka Ghediaanneka.ghedia@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0288London
Anneka is a member of the Investment Management and Financial Services Practices with a focus on private markets, including assignments across investment teams within credit strategies and investor relations within private equity, private credit and real assets.
Prior Experience: Specialist search firm placing investment professionals across credit strategies, Ernst & Young.
Education: Accounting and Finance at the London School of Economics.
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Jenny Goslett PrincipalJenny Goslettjenny.goslett@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0264London
Jenny is a member of the Financial Officers Practice with expertise in Group CFO, Group Financial Controller and Group FP&A hiring. She largely focuses on searches in B2C related sectors.
Prior experience: Korn Ferry.
Education: Spanish and Italian at the University of St Andrews.
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Joel Holford PrincipalJoel Holfordjoel.holford@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0262London
Joel is a member of the Investment Management and Financial Services Practices with a focus on investment management, including advising long-only funds, hedge funds, family offices and pension funds.
Prior experience: Specialised executive search firm focussing on C-level strategy and business development roles within Europe.
Education: Philosophy and Economics at Durham University.
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Annabelle Massy-Collier PrincipalAnnabelle Massy-Collierannabelle.massy-collier@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0292London
Annabelle is a member of the Private Equity Practice. She advises clients across private equity and broader private markets, with a focus on mid-level and junior hiring.
Education: Classics at the University of Bristol.
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Poppy Moore PrincipalPoppy Moorepoppy.moore@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1813London
Poppy leads the Healthcare Practice and has extensive experience advising internationally listed, private and private equity-backed businesses across pharma services, healthcare services, diagnostics and devices.
Prior experience: The RSA Group.
Education: Social and Political Science with Philosophy at the University of York.
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Lucia Ruck Keene PrincipalLucia Ruck Keenelucia.ruckkeene@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1817London
Lucia is a member of the Investment Management and Financial Services Practices. She leads assignments for a variety of investment clients across public and private markets. She has a particular expertise in responsible investment and has a CFA Level 4 Certificate in ESG Investing.
Prior experience: Kinnevik.
Education: English Literature at the University of Edinburgh.
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Charlie Schofield PrincipalCharlie Schofieldcharlie.schofield@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1807London
Charlie is a member of the Private Equity Practice with a broad remit across senior, mid and junior-level hiring. He is also a member of the Financial Services Practice, advising clients and candidates on the crossover between Private Equity and Growth Equity.
Prior experience: Kea Consultants.
Education: Business at Durham University.
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Andy Stevens PrincipalAndy Stevensandy.stevens@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0275London
Andy is a member of the Tech Practice and works on assignments across sub-sectors, with a focus on B2B software and IT services.
Education: Geography at the University of Oxford.
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Chris Tugwell PrincipalChris Tugwellchris.tugwell@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1814Principal
Chris is a member of the Business Services Practice and focuses on the engineering, industrial, property services, environmental services, infrastructure and outsourcing markets within private equity and high-growth companies.
Prior experience: Drax.
Education: Economic and Social History at the University of Liverpool.
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Grace Wookey PrincipalGrace Wookeygrace.wookey@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0256London
Grace 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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Kathryn Bonner Senior AssociateKathryn Bonnerkathryn.bonner@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0265London
Kathryn is a member of the Business Services Practice and works on assignments across all areas, with a focus on Education including Education Provision and Services.
Education: History at the University of Cambridge.
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Tamta Gagoshidze Senior AssociateTamta Gagoshidzetamta.gagoshidze@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0299London
Tamta is a member of the Tech Practice and works on assignments across the sector.
Education: Business Management at Cardiff University.
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Ben Gnauck Senior AssociateBen Gnauckben.gnauck@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0286London
Ben is a member of the Real Assets Practice and focuses on advising Infrastructure Private Equity clients, as well as spending time with Private Equity funds and Impact / Thematic investment strategies.
Prior Experience: Public policy research and risk intelligence analysis.
Education: Modern European Studies at the University of Nottingham; Economics and Politics at the University of Bristol.
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Daria Koren Senior AssociateDaria Korendaria.koren@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1812London
Daria is a member of the Consumer Practice, working on assignments across all subsectors, with a particular focus on international branded goods and tech-enabled, high-growth consumer businesses.
Prior experience: Founders Keepers, MBS Group.
Education: Modern and Medieval Languages (Spanish and Italian) at the University of Cambridge.
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Claudia Marcelletti Senior AssociateClaudia Marcelletticlaudia.marcelletti@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0812London
Claudia is a member of the Consumer Practice, working on assignments across all subsectors, with specific experience in international branded goods and media.
Prior experience: The Walt Disney Company, MBS Group.
Education: International Marketing at King’s College London; Political Science and Communication at LUISS Guido Carli.
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Katrina Roberts Senior AssociateKatrina Robertskatrina.roberts@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0281London
Katrina is a member of the Financial Officer Practice and works across all assignments. Before specialising in finance, she was a generalist focusing on mandates across numerous functional areas within financial services.
Prior experience: J.D. Haspel.
Education: Psychology at Loughborough University.
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Antonio Shinebourne Senior AssociateAntonio Shinebourneantonio.shinebourne@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0261London
Antonio is a member of the Private Equity Practice. He has worked with a range of fund sizes and strategies across the UK and Western Europe.
Prior experience: Nordbridge Group.
Education: Latin American Development at University College London.
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Charlotte Baxendale AssociateCharlotte Baxendalecharlotte.baxendale@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0279London
Charlotte is a member of the Business Services Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford.
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Anna Borysova AssociateAnna Borysovaanna.borysova@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0269London
Anna is a member of the Business Services Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas
Education: Management and International Relations at the University of St Andrews.
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Archie Brown AssociateArchie Brownarchie.brown@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1803London
Archie is a member of the Private Equity Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: War Studies and History at King’s College London; Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Oxford.
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Olga Diavastis AssociateOlga Diavastisolga.diavastis@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1815London
Olga is a member of the Business Services Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: English at the University of Cambridge.
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Jayden Fitzgibbon AssociateJayden Fitzgibbonjayden.fitzgibbon@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 3098 7140London
Jayden is a member of the Investment Management and Financial Services Practice with a focus on fund management and distribution mandates, across both public and private markets.
Prior experience: The Omerta Group.
Education: History at Queen Mary University of London.
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Lati Gutta AssociateLati Guttalati.gutta@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0255London
Lati is a member of the Private Equity Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: Human, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge.
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Patrick Hayes AssociatePatrick Hayespatrick.hayes@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1809London
Patrick is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: English Literature and History at the University of Nottingham.
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Will James AssociateWill Jameswill.james@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0283London
Will is a member of the Investment Management Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: Drax.
Education: Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Buckingham; International Affairs at the London School of Economics and Peking University.
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Emma Lanigan AssociateEmma Laniganemma.lanigan@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0280London
Emma is a member of the Healthcare and Financial Officers Practices and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: International Relations at the University of Bath.
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Sydney Lignac AssociateSydney Lignacsydney.lignac@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0276London
Sydney is a member of the Investment Banking and Real Assets Practices and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: Contingent recruitment focusing on UK insurance and European technology.
Education: English Literature at the University of Birmingham.
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Heather May AssociateHeather Mayheather.may@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0266London
Heather is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: Biological Sciences at Imperial College London.
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Ciara McGrath AssociateCiara McGrathciara.mcgrath@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0271London
Ciara is a member of the Investment Management Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: Global Business at Trinity College Dublin.
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Rupert Milne AssociateRupert Milnerupert.milne@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0298London
Rupert is a member of the Investment Management Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: Fidelio Partners.
Education: Liberal Arts at the University of Exeter.
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Molly Stooke AssociateMolly Stookemolly.stooke@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0296London
Molly is a member of the Consumer, Retail & Leisure Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: Events industry organising supercar rallies.
Education: Journalism at the University of Portsmouth.
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Katherine Sung AssociateKatherine Sungkatherine.sung@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1801London
Katherine is a member of the Consumer Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: European Social and Political Studies at University College London and Sciences Po Paris.
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Charlotte Wade AssociateCharlotte Wadecharlotte.wade@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0268London
Charlotte is a member of the Financial Officers Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: Health, Medicine and Society at the University of Cambridge.
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Terry Wells Chief Technology OfficerTerry Wellsterry.wells@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)207 220 0287London
Terry is Blackwood’s Chief Technology Officer and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: BAE Systems, ABN Amro and Lloyds Treasury as an independent consultant.
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Mutsa Mutiti Financial ControllerMutsa Mutitimutsa.mutiti@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0294London
Mutsa is the firm’s Financial Controller and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Finance and capital projects at London South Bank University and at Space Craft Architects.
Education: Business Administration and Accounting at Solusi University
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Jay Angel Administration and Internal HR OfficerJay Angeljay.angel@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0270London
Jay is an Administration and Internal HR Officer, and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Prior to joining Blackwood, Jay volunteered as an Administrator at an employment and training charity.
Education: He holds a City & Guilds NVQ in Business & Administration.
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Olivia Clayton Office Manager and Head of Events and CSROlivia Claytonolivia.clayton@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0250London
Olivia is the Office Manager, Head of Events and CSR and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration, and IT Group. She is also Head of Events and CSR.
Prior experience: Front of house and Events Coordinator in the hotel industry.
Education: Sport Studies at Southampton Solent University.
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Hannah Johnston Senior Executive AssistantHannah Johnstonhannah.johnston@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1816London
Hannah is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Criminology and Sociology at the University of Surrey.
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Rosie Leslie Senior Executive AssistantRosie Leslierosie.leslie@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1805London
Rosie is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Corporate Practice and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration, and IT Group. She is qualified in administering a variety of Psychometric tools.
Education: Psychology at City, University of London.
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Issy Petts Senior Executive AssistantIssy Pettsissy.petts@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1808London
Issy is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Financial Services Practice and is also a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Team Assistant at Rothschild.
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Lizzie Rawcliffe Senior Executive AssistantLizzie Rawcliffelizzie.rawcliffe@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7110 0267London
Lizzie is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Psychology at Northumbria University.
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Katie Walker Senior Executive AssistantKatie Walkerkatie.walker@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1802London
Katie is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Adult Health Nursing at Cardiff University.
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Olivia Whitely Ali Senior Executive AssistantOlivia Whitely Aliolivia.whitelyali@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1818London
Olivia is a Senior Executive Assistant in the Financial Services Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Executive Assistant for 10 years supporting C-Suite in a range of industries, including Private Healthcare, Internet Engineering and Real Estate.
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Emy Guerrieri Executive AssistantEmy Guerrieriemy.guerrieri@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0800London
Emy is an Executive Assistant in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Team Coordinator/Personal Assistant at Teneo.
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Maddie Salama Executive AssistantMaddie Salamamaddie.salama@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0259London
Maddie is an Executive Assistant in the Financial Services Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Recruitment Consultant at a boutique firm.
Education: Psychology at the University of Sussex.
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Jess Shailes Executive AssistantJess Shailesjess.shailes@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0293London
Jess is an Executive Assistant in the Investment Management team and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: PGCE at The University of East Anglia; Ancient History at the University of Reading.