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Finding the best global talent to help you build and grow your business

Warren Partners is a leading purpose driven, employee-owned search firm, devoted to building and supporting diverse boards and executive leadership teams across the UK and internationally.

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Experts in leadership.

Partners in growth.

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We can help you

Build with ease

Finding the right person for a senior role is a painstaking and sometimes lengthy process, taking up to 71 days according to one study of C-Suite hires. Let us give you that time back to focus on your business while we research and select the best candidates.

Build with purpose

Searching for a truly diverse selection of candidates can be challenging. We use our specialist expertise to look beyond traditional networks and help build boards and leadership teams that can deliver positive change.

Build with confidence

For executive and non-executive search, trust, transparency and operating to the highest ethical standards bring the optimum outcome. That’s why over 400 companies in the last five years have worked with Warren Partners for their senior hires.

Some of Our Clients

    Warren Partners have supported NHSPS in NED and Executive recruitment along with high potential senior leader talent and career development. What sets Warren Partners apart is the investment they make in having a deep understanding of the needs of the business, developing a bespoke, quality and solutions-focused relationship – and importantly this is all delivered with personality.

    Hilary Stables, NHS Property Services - HR Director

    You helped us secure a top diverse candidate for a very niche global position. Your professionalism and perseverance, together with regular progress updates, gave us the comfort throughout the assignment that we would find the right executive for the role.

    Mark Naysmith (Dr.Eng), WSP - CEO

    Warren Partners helped us select two new NEDs. The rigour of their process, their willingness to really know our organisation and therefore be able to offer valuable insights on candidate fit, helped us make two fantastic hires from a large field. Warren Partners’ follow up with candidates and us post recruitment has been exemplary. We’ll be back and we’d recommend most highly to others.

    Natalie-Jane Macdonald, Nuffield Health - Chair

    Your team really gets us and fielded a good mix of candidates – strong on diversity! The pace was very good and we are delighted with the outcome.

    Richard Newton, Tipton and Coseley Building Society - CEO

    I have worked with Warren Partners over several years for both ExCo and Board level appointments. I have found the process to be efficiently managed to time and on budget. The candidates identified have been exceptionally strong across a wide geography and different roles with a very strong ability to identify diverse candidates. In the property sector this is a particular challenge and so is even more impressive. We have been impressed with the performance of all of the candidates who have joined us, and I would recommend Warren Partners unreservedly.

    Jonathan Murphy, Assura plc - CEO

    We were in the position of seeking our first CIO; Khurram's deep market insight and ability to challenge our thinking on the role and candidate requirements helped us refine our approach. Khurram tailored his strategy to fit our company's maturity and business strategy, rather than just the run of the mill positioning on where and how a CIO should sit. His candidate qualification process allowed us to focus on what truly mattered, and he delivered a diverse and highly relevant shortlist for a very specific brief in a competitive market. Khurram is a real partner in executive search.

    Helen Fitzpatrick, Breedon Group plc - Head Of Talent

Our Services

  • Chair & Non-Executive Director Search

    Boards are under intense scrutiny and face complex demands from shareholders and wider stakeholders. Increasing diversity and making a positive difference is often at the heart of this challenge. Our extensive experience in building diverse boards and leadership teams – matching the right chairs and non-executive directors with the right boards – means we can help clients embed gender and broader diversity into their business swiftly and appropriately.

  • Executive Search

    Our approach to executive search combines depth and reach – across sectors, functions, UK regions, countries and organisation types – with rigorous process, to build diverse executive and leadership teams. Core to our purpose is doing this diligently, ethically, challenging appropriately and making a difference. And enjoying the journey, of course, because finding out more about talented people should always be a fascinating, enriching experience.

  • Leadership Coaching & Advisory

    Our partnership with clients extends beyond the search for talent. We provide a range of flexible and bespoke leadership consulting services to help our clients unlock potential in people and organisations, cultivate diverse talent and leaders, and manage talent risk.

  • Interim Management

    A growth area for Warren Partners, our interim work has developed from a complementary offer to existing clients to an emerging service with increasing demand. Clients know that we invest in understanding the precise needs of each interim placement to manage risk, match talent and assure impact.

Our Sectors

We have deep market expertise and networks across a variety of business sectors.

  • Infrastructure, Industrial & Manufacturing

    Within this practice area more than any other, our reach is broad and so our relationships matter. Our clients are spread across a wide range of business segments and regions. We work with large FTSE and AIM listed corporates, private and family-owned businesses and private equity backed portfolio companies. Increasingly, we also work with private equity firms and infrastructure funds directly.

  • Technology & Digital

    We help our clients address some of this sector’s biggest challenges, such as moving to commercialisation, accelerating growth, preparing to list or, for established businesses, retaining competitive advantage against disruptive new entrants. From challenger brands to established players looking to ramp up their digital transformation, our team helps to position them for success.

  • Consumer, Retail & Media

    We have an enviable track record with leading UK and international clients across this sector. Clients include FTSE, AIM and internationally listed players, as well as mid-sized privately held and private equity backed companies.

  • Financial Services

    Our work across this sector is one of the foundations of Warren Partners and we’re recognised as a leading player in the UK senior executive and board search and advisory market. We partner with many UK and international financial institutions, including established FTSE 250 players, financial mutual organisations and other purpose-driven banking and financial organisations. There’s also an inspiring range of technology-driven, agile, and innovative new entrants, many of which are reshaping the sector, who engage our services.

  • B2B & Professional Services

    Agility is the watchword across these sectors, with clients facing unrelenting customer demand for new, more, faster and better. Market share is challenged as providers encroach into different areas and start-ups offer new solutions.

  • Social Impact

    If you’re a business that has a purpose beyond profit then we’d love to talk to you. Whether you’re a not-for-profit, publicly funded body, social enterprises, membership organisation or any other business making a difference to the world, then we’re ready to help make a difference to your business.

Meet the Team

  • Profile Picture
    Kirsty Dougan

    Managing Director


    Kirsty is our Managing Director, leading and inspiring Warren partners through the next stage of our growth.

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    Helen Hyde

    Chair - Employee Ownership Trust Board


    Helen worked for the John Lewis Partnership (the largest employee-owned company in the UK) for more than 30 years. She enjoys working with businesses to support founders, leaders and employee owners to leverage the opportunities that employee ownership provides.

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    Maktuno Suit

    Non-Executive Director


    Maktuno is a people and change expert who has spent the past decade helping companies to transform themselves for the future and fully unlock their value and purpose.

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    Sally Dunwoody

    Partner


    Sally has deep experience of leading retained executive search and talent advisory assignments at C-level and non-executive appointments, with a particular focus on supporting financial and professional services clients.

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    Julia Fearn

    Partner Director


    Julia enjoys long-standing relationships with clients in the financial services sector, across the UK and internationally, working with established, challenger and new entrant financial services brands to strengthen their boards and senior leadership teams.

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    Rupert Gibb

    Partner


    Rupert brings more than two decades of non-executive director search and board advisory experience. He has become a trusted advisor to financial services companies seeking talent, to further develop successful teams and transform culture.

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    Louise Harrison

    Partner


    Louise has a successful track record within the Consumer and Digital sectors with a key focus on retail and fashion. She has extensive and broad experience having worked in-house at Tesco overseeing leadership hires globally, as well as within other executive search firms.

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    Khurram Hussain

    Partner


    Khurram has a breadth of experience working with a range of complex organisations, from pre-IPO prospects to FTSE 100 groups. He focuses on board and executive appointments in the technology, media, clean-tech and investment services sectors.

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    Tim Kemp

    Partner & EOT Board Trustee


    Tim has a depth of experience across a broad range of sectors including B2B services, technology, energy, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, playing a key role in our Infrastructure, Industrial & Manufacturing practice.

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    Nikki Kenyon

    Partner


    Nikki takes lead with our technology and digital clients, working with companies across the growth curve and advising and building boards and senior leadership teams across all functions.

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    Korinna Sjoholm

    Partner


    Korinna supports organisations undergoing change, growth and transformation, focusing on both non-executive and executive placements in equal measure. Her clients span a number of practice areas, with depth in regulated sectors and purpose-driven organistions.

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    Andrew Smith

    Partner


    Andrew fulfils a unique position at Warren Partners, supporting and advising clients across all our practice groups. Andrew's clients range from small, VC-backed start-ups to PE-owned growth-stage investments and on to some of the world’s largest organisations.

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    Laurence Vallaeys

    Partner


    Laurence takes the lead on board and C-suite appointments for clients in our Consumer, Retail and Media practice, focussing on succession, diversity and leadership assessment.

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    Richard Marshall

    Executive Coach


    Richard leads our Executive Coaching practice and has worked with a large number of senior leaders across a wide range of sectors.

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    Rachel Allen

    Consultant & EOT Board Trustee


    Rachel is well networked and experienced in attracting top talent for our clients across all sectors. She uses her business research skills to provide industry insight and intelligence to support client assignments.

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    Emily Cross

    Research Consultant


    Emily uses her analytical and research skills to discover and engage with talent at executive and board level across multiple sectors to deliver quality choice for our clients.

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    Clare Gibson

    Consultant


    Clare has a passion for her role as a researcher and a successful track record conducting senior level recruitment searches, including extensive experience of international placements.

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    Ben Grove

    Consultant


    Ben identifies and engages senior executives across different industries, championing talented candidates and delivering director and C-suite level roles.

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    Loveday Loveridge

    Consultant


    Loveday is passionate about finding and securing the best talent, working across multiple sectors at board and C-suite level.

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    Sam Malik

    Consultant Partner


    Sam has extensive experience in Executive Search, Talent Consultancy, HR and Coaching, operating across Europe, Americas and APAC.

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    Elaine Robinson

    Consultant


    Elaine can flex her skills and focus to cover any role, business type or sector but most often works in our Financial Services and Social Impact practice areas.

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    Brett Sambrook

    Consultant


    Brett uncovers and engages with talented senior executives across a wide range of industries, delivering board and C-suite level appointments across a number of our industry practice areas.

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    Selina Biddle

    Assignment Manager


    Selina supports our growing Industrial and Support Services practice area. She is committed to ensuring a positive journey is experienced by all.

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    Megan Booth

    Assignment Manager


    Megan supports assignments for clients in a number of sectors and has an important role as Chief Birthday Officer!

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    Danielle Clark

    Assignment Manager


    Danielle supports assignments in multiple sectors. She ensures each project runs smoothly through continuous communication with both clients and candidates.

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    Natalie Crick

    Assignment Manager


    Natalie supports colleagues, clients and candidates in our financial services practice area to ensure smooth running of assignments.

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    Julie Furness

    Assignment Manager


    Julie provides dedicated high level operational and assignment management support to colleagues in the Warren Partners board, EOT board and partners.

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    Jackie Hughes

    Assignment Manager


    Jackie supports some of our key partners who between them work across different Warren Partners practice areas. She is known to work collaboratively with our clients, always going out of her way to help and make sure everything is on track.

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    Jo Meek

    Assignment Manager & EOT Board Trustee


    Jo supports our financial services team practice area through all stages of each assignment and is a Trustee on our EOT Board.

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    Lizzie Montague

    Assignment Manager


    Lizzie supports colleagues, candidate and clients in our financial services team practice area, keeping them on track through all stages of each assignment.

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    Tom Storey

    Assignment & IT Operations Manager


    Tom has a dual role and provides support to our colleagues and clients across our Consumer and Digital practice whilst also managing the day-to-day operations of Warren Partners’ IT.

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    Stephanie Clarke

    Consultant Partner / Head of Research Operations


    Stephanie has a dual role within Warren Partners as Head of Research Operations and as a Consultant Partner, delivering client projects in non-executive and executive search, as well as interim solutions.

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    Nia Lucas

    Finance Director


    Nia manages all aspects of finance for Warren Partners and is a crucial member of the operations team.

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    Sophie Carbutt

    Head of Communications & Strategic Projects


    Sophie supports the management and wider team, keeping everything together and delivering key projects and activities across the business.

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