Teamwork is the cornerstone of what we do

Collaboration is at the heart of Blackwood, and we celebrate and reward every success as a team. The best consultant at Blackwood is a combination of us all.

Consultant search

Partners

  • Amanda Smithson
    Amanda Smithson Managing Partner
    Amanda Smithson
    Amanda Smithson
    +44 (0)20 7220 0273
    London

    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 & Law at Cambridge University

  • Martina Ashley
    Martina Ashley Partner
    Martina Ashley
    Martina Ashley
    +44 (0)20 7220 0277
    London

    Martina is a Partner and 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 & Philosophy at Bristol University

  • Harry Chetwood
    Harry Chetwood Partner
    Harry Chetwood
    Harry Chetwood
    +44 (0)20 7220 0289
    London

    Harry is a Partner and 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 & Anthropology at Durham University

  • Joanne Clayton
    Joanne Clayton Partner
    Joanne Clayton
    Joanne Clayton
    +44 (0)20 7220 0297
    London

    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 St Andrews University with a year studying History & Political Science in the US

  • Annie Doherty
    Annie Doherty Partner
    Annie Doherty
    Annie Doherty
    +44 (0)20 7220 0263
    London

    Annie is a Partner and 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 & Law at Durham University

  • Maria Henderson
    Maria Henderson Partner
    Maria Henderson
    Maria Henderson
    +44 (0)20 7220 0282
    London

    Maria leads the Consumer Practice. She has extensive experience advising international clients in all sub-sectors of consumer, included branded fashion and luxury goods.

    Prior experience: MBS Group, Korn Ferry, Skill Capital

    Education: Latin American Literature & Politics, University College London

  • Jonathan Lee
    Jonathan Lee Partner
    Jonathan Lee
    Jonathan Lee
    +44 (0)20 7220 1804
    London

    Jonathan leads the Technology 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

  • Richard Marshall
    Richard Marshall Partner
    Richard Marshall
    Richard Marshall
    +44 (0)20 7220 0260
    London

    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 Plymouth University

  • Lisa Wilkinson
    Lisa Wilkinson Partner and Chief Operating Officer
    Lisa Wilkinson
    Lisa Wilkinson
    +44 (0)20 7220 0278
    London

    Lisa is Blackwood’s Chief Operating Officer and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Prior experience: Prior to joining Blackwood, Lisa worked at Deutsche Bank.

    Education: Business Finance & Economics at Natal University

  • Nigel Lloyd
    Nigel Lloyd Associate Partner
    Nigel Lloyd
    Nigel Lloyd
    +44 (0)20 7220 0284
    London

    Nigel is a member of the Private Equity and Investment Banking 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

  • Shaneen Makhani
    Shaneen Makhani Associate Partner
    Shaneen Makhani
    Shaneen Makhani
    +44 (0)20 7220 0251
    London

    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 cross over between all forms of investment.

    Prior experience: Disaster relief charity

    Education: Politics & International Relation at Warwick University with a year studying Economic Globalisation & Development at SOAS, University of London

  • Jamie McKinnell
    Jamie McKinnell Associate Partner
    Jamie McKinnell
    Jamie McKinnell
    +44 (0)20 7220 1810
    London

    Jamie co-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 Leeds University

  • Imogen Moon
    Imogen Moon Associate Partner
    Imogen Moon
    Imogen Moon
    +44 (0)20 7220 1801
    London

    Imogen leads the Real Estate Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She advises clients across real estate and asset backed strategies with a focus on building investment teams across the capital structure. She has expertise in conducting cross border searches and advises on hiring diverse candidates.

    Prior experience: Oxford Capital Partners

    Education: English Literature at Oxford University

  • Michela Ruggeri
    Michela Ruggeri Associate Partner
    Michela Ruggeri
    Michela Ruggeri
    +44 (0)20 7220 0285
    London

    Michela leads the Investment Banking and Infrastructure Practices and is a Member of the Financial Services Practice. She has a particular focus on building teams within investment banking boutiques as well as advising infrastructure funds.

    Prior experience: Heidrick & Struggles

    Education: Modern Languages at Cambridge University

  • Will Terry
    Will Terry Associate Partner
    Will Terry
    Will Terry
    +44 (0)20 7220 0253
    London

    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

  • Chris Unwin
    Chris Unwin Associate Partner
    Chris Unwin
    Chris Unwin
    +44 (0)161 241 3305
    Manchester

    Chris heads Blackwood’s Manchester Office. He is also a member of the Financial Officers and Board practices. He is responsible for the firm’s activities in the North and Midlands, advising businesses on board level succession, management changes and leadership effectiveness.

    Education: French & German at Oxford University

  • James Barker
    James Barker Principal
    James Barker
    James Barker
    +44 (0)20 7220 0290
    London

    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

  • Katharine Davenport
    Katharine Davenport Principal
    Katharine Davenport
    Katharine Davenport
    +44 (0)20 7220 1811
    London

    Katharine is a member of the Business Services team and works on assignments across a variety of sub sectors. 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 LSE; Geography at University of Oxford

  • Jenny Goslett
    Jenny Goslett Principal
    Jenny Goslett
    Jenny Goslett
    +44 (0)20 7220 0264
    London

    Jenny is a member of the Financial Officers Practice with expertise in CFO, divisional, regional and specialist finance function roles.

    Prior experience: Korn Ferry

    Education: Spanish & Italian at St Andrews University

  • Grace Goss-Custard
    Grace Goss-Custard Principal
    Grace Goss-Custard
    Grace Goss-Custard
    +44 (0)20 7220 0256
    London

    Grace is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across the sector, 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 Birmingham University

  • Charlee Hawkins
    Charlee Hawkins Principal
    Charlee Hawkins
    Charlee Hawkins
    +44 (0)20 7220 0257
    London

    Charlee is a member of the Financial Officers Practice with expertise in CFO, divisional and regional finance roles.

    Prior experience: Walker Hamill

    Education: Geography at Sussex University

  • Joel Holford
    Joel Holford Principal
    Joel Holford
    Joel Holford
    +44 (0)20 7220 0262
    London

    Joel is a member of the Financial Services Practice 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 & Economics at Durham University

  • Jessica Rowland
    Jessica Rowland Principal
    Jessica Rowland
    Jessica Rowland
    +44 (0)20 7220 0272
    London

    Jessica is a member of the Consumer Practice, working on assignments across all subsectors, with specific experience in multisite businesses.

    Prior experience: MBS Group, Clarity

    Education: Management at University of Warwick

  • Lucia Ruck Keene
    Lucia Ruck Keene Principal
    Lucia Ruck Keene
    Lucia Ruck Keene
    +44 (0)20 7220 1817
    London

    Lucia is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She leads assignments for a variety of investment clients across public and private markets. She has a particular expertise in responsible investment and has her CFA Level 4 Certificate in ESG Investing.

    Prior experience: Kinnevik

    Education: English Literature at Edinburgh University

  • Chris Tugwell
    Chris Tugwell Principal
    Chris Tugwell
    Chris Tugwell
    +44 (0)20 7220 1814
    Principal

    Chris is a member of the Business Services Practice and typically 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 University of Liverpool

  • Alexandra Anton
    Alexandra Anton Senior Associate
    Alexandra Anton
    Alexandra Anton
    +44 (0)20 7220 0252
    London

    Alex is a Senior Associate within the Financial Services Practice, working across Real Asset and Investment Banking mandates.

    Prior experience: Freshminds

    Education: Law at King’s College London

  • Anneka Ghedia
    Anneka Ghedia Senior Associate
    Anneka Ghedia
    Anneka Ghedia
    +44 (0)20 7220 0288
    London

    Anneka is a member of the Financial Services Practice with a focus on Investment Management, including assignments across long-only funds, hedge funds, and credit funds.

    Prior experience: Specialist search firm placing investment professionals across credit strategies

    Education: Accounting & Finance at the London School of Economics & Political Science

  • Erato Kallitsa
    Erato Kallitsa Senior Associate
    Erato Kallitsa
    Erato Kallitsa
    +44 (0)20 7220 1815
    London

    Erato is a Senior Associate in the Private Equity Practice. She leads junior and mid-level searches across Investment and Investor Relations.

    Education: Law at University of Bristol 

  • Claudia Marcelletti
    Claudia Marcelletti Senior Associate
    Claudia Marcelletti
    Claudia Marcelletti
    +44 (0)20 7220 0812
    London

    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, King’s College London; Political Science & Communication, Luiss Guido Carli University

  • Annabelle Massy-Collier
    Annabelle Massy-Collier Senior Associate
    Annabelle Massy-Collier
    Annabelle Massy-Collier
    +44 (0)20 7220 0292
    London

    Annabelle is a Senior Associate in 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 University of Bristol 

  • Andrew Stevens
    Andrew Stevens Senior Associate
    Andrew Stevens
    Andrew Stevens
    +44 (0)20 7220 0275
    London

    Andrew is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across the sector, with a focus on B2B software and IT services.

    Education: Geography at Oxford University

  • Kathryn Bonner
    Kathryn Bonner Associate
    Kathryn Bonner
    Kathryn Bonner
    +44 (0)20 7220 0265
    London

    Kathryn is a member of the Financial Officers Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: History at University of Cambridge

  • Archie Brown
    Archie Brown Associate
    Archie Brown
    Archie Brown
    +44 (0)20 7220 1803
    London

    Archie is a member of the Financial Officers Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: War Studies & History at King’s College London; Contemporary Chinese Studies at Oxford University

  • Matthew Festus
    Matthew Festus Associate
    Matthew Festus
    Matthew Festus
    +44 (0)20 7220 0276
    London

    Matthew is a member of the Investment Banking team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: Philosophy at Edinburgh University

  • Tamta Gagoshidze
    Tamta Gagoshidze Associate
    Tamta Gagoshidze
    Tamta Gagoshidze
    +44 (0)20 7220 1813
    London

    Tamta is a member of the Investment Management practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: Business Management at Cardiff University

  • Ben Gnauck
    Ben Gnauck Associate
    Ben Gnauck
    Ben Gnauck
    +44 (0)20 7220 0286
    London

    Ben is a member of the Investment Banking team and works on assignments across all practice areas. 

    Prior experience: Public policy research and risk intelligence analysis

    Education: Modern European Studies at Nottingham University; Economics & Politics at Bristol University

  • Lati Gutta
    Lati Gutta Associate
    Lati Gutta
    Lati Gutta
    +44 (0)20 7220 0255
    London

    Lati is a member of the Investment Management team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: Human, Social & Political Sciences at Cambridge University

  • Malachi Harley
    Malachi Harley Associate
    Malachi Harley
    Malachi Harley
    +44 (0)20 7220 0274
    London

    Malachi is a member of the Private Equity team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: Business Economics & Finance at Loughborough University

  • Patrick Hayes
    Patrick Hayes Associate
    Patrick Hayes
    Patrick Hayes
    +44 (0)20 7220 1809
    London

    Patrick is a member of the Business Services team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: English Literature & History at Nottingham University

  • Isabella Imi
    Isabella Imi Associate
    Isabella Imi
    Isabella Imi
    +44 (0)20 7220 0295
    London

    Isabella is a member of the Consumer, Retail & Leisure team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Prior experience: PER

    Education: French & Italian at University of Oxford

  • Emma Lanigan
    Emma Lanigan Associate
    Emma Lanigan
    Emma Lanigan
    +44 (0)20 7220 0280
    London

    Emma is a member of the Private Equity team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: International Relations at Bath University

  • Kirsty Millar
    Kirsty Millar Associate
    Kirsty Millar
    Kirsty Millar
    +44 (0)20 7220 0271
    London

    Kirsty is a member of the Business Services team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Prior experience: Contingent recruitment focusing on investment teams within Private Equity funds

    Education: MRes Sports Science; Physiology & Sports Science at University of Glasgow

  • Aleks Milligan
    Aleks Milligan Associate
    Aleks Milligan
    Aleks Milligan
    +44 (0)20 7220 0261
    London

    Aleks is a member of the Technology team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: International Relations at King’s College London

  • Victoria Ogunleye
    Victoria Ogunleye Associate
    Victoria Ogunleye
    Victoria Ogunleye
    +44 (0)20 7220 0293
    London

    Victoria is a member of the Private Equity team and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Prior experience: Raw Selection

    Education: History at University of York

  • Uli Okechukwu
    Uli Okechukwu Associate
    Uli Okechukwu
    Uli Okechukwu
    +44 (0)20 7220 0299
    London

    Uli is a member of the Consumer Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Education: Economics at Durham University

  • Molly Stooke
    Molly Stooke Associate
    Molly Stooke
    Molly Stooke
    +44 (0)20 7220 0296
    London

    Molly is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.

    Prior experience: Events industry organising supercar rallies

    Education: Journalism at Portsmouth University

  • Jay Angel
    Jay Angel Administration and Internal HR Officer
    Jay Angel
    Jay Angel
    +44 (0)20 7220 0270
    London

    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.

  • Lauren Chitty
    Lauren Chitty Head of Marketing
    Lauren Chitty
    Lauren Chitty
    +44 (0)20 7220 1807
    London

    Lauren is our Head of Marketing and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Prior experience: Various PA roles 

    Education: English Literature and Management with Industrial Experience at Exeter University

  • Olivia Clayton
    Olivia Clayton Office Manager
    Olivia Clayton
    Olivia Clayton
    +44 (0)20 7220 0250
    London

    Olivia is the Office Manager and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Prior experience: Front of house in the hotel industry and as a volunteer at an orphanage in South East Asia

    Education: Sport Studies at Southampton Solent University

  • Amanda Eklund
    Amanda Eklund Senior Executive Assistant
    Amanda Eklund
    Amanda Eklund
    +44 (0)20 7220 0283
    London

    Amanda is a Senior Administrator in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Education: Law at Lund University

  • Emy Guerrieri
    Emy Guerrieri Executive Assistant
    Emy Guerrieri
    Emy Guerrieri
    +44 (0)20 7220 0800
    London

    Emy is an Executive Assistant in the Consumer, Retail & Leisure Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Prior experience: Team Coordinator/Personal Assistant at Teneo

  • Hannah Johnston
    Hannah Johnston Senior Executive Assistant
    Hannah Johnston
    Hannah Johnston
    +44 (0)20 7220 1816
    London

    Hannah is a Senior Administrator in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Education: Criminology & Sociology at Surrey University

  • Rosie Leslie
    Rosie Leslie Executive Assistant
    Rosie Leslie
    Rosie Leslie
    +44 (0)20 7220 1805
    London

    Rosie is an Administrator in the Executive Assessment team 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

  • Becky Lyken
    Becky Lyken Executive Assistant
    Becky Lyken
    Becky Lyken
    +44 (0)20 7220 0254
    London

    Becky is an Administrator in the Financial Services Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Education: Primary Education, Age 5-11 at Brighton University

  • Mutsa Mutiti
    Mutsa Mutiti Financial Controller
    Mutsa Mutiti
    Mutsa Mutiti
    +44 (0)20 7220 0294
    London

    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 South Bank University and at Space Craft Architects

    Education: Business Administration and Accounting at Solusi University

  • John Pearson
    John Pearson IT Analyst
    John Pearson
    John Pearson
    +44 (0)207 220 0259
    London

    John works in the IT team and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Prior experience: IPS Totalstaffing and AON Risk Services

     

  • Issy Petts
    Issy Petts Executive Assistant
    Issy Petts
    Issy Petts
    +44 (0)20 7220 1808
    London

    Issy is an Administrator in the Financial Services Practice and is also a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Prior experience: Team Assistant at Rothschild

  • Lizzie Rawcliffe
    Lizzie Rawcliffe Executive Assistant
    Lizzie Rawcliffe
    Lizzie Rawcliffe
    +44 (0)20 7110 0267
    London

    Lizzie is an Administrator in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Education: Psychology at Northumbria University

  • Katie Walker
    Katie Walker Executive Assistant
    Katie Walker
    Katie Walker
    +44 (0)20 7220 1802
    London

    Katie is an Executive Assistant in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Education: Adult Health Nursing at Cardiff University

  • Terry Wells
    Terry Wells Chief Technology Officer
    Terry Wells
    Terry Wells
    +44 (0)207 220 0287
    London

    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

  • Olivia Whitely
    Olivia Whitely Executive Assistant
    Olivia Whitely
    Olivia Whitely
    +44 (0)20 7220 1818
    London

    Olivia is an Administrator 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

  • Andrea Woods
    Andrea Woods Executive Assistant
    Andrea Woods
    Andrea Woods
    +44 (0)20 7220 0258
    London

    Andrea is an Administrator in the Financial Services Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.

    Education: Spanish with European Economics & Politics at Aston University