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The Team

Our team has been carefully built over a long period. It has been designed to ensure the Practice Leaders are fully integrated across the firm, able to support clients in their own sector as well as contribute to the success of every other Practice.

Our team consists of experienced individuals with expertise and reach across each sector that we cover.

Asset Management
Banking & Consumer Financial Services
Corporate OfficeRs
Human Resources
FinTech & Digital
BOARD
Insurance
Real Assets

Team

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Senior Associate

Principal, Digital & Technology

Executive Consultant

Financial Controller

Senior Associate

Director & Head of Insurance

Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Director & Head of Real Assets

Executive Assistant

Operations Associate

Chief Operating Officer

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Matthew Wilkinson

Financial Controller

Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Olivia Anderton

Research Associate

Senior Associate

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Asset & Wealth Management

The Asset & Wealth Management practice provides both executive search and leadership development consulting services to a range of organisations from Asset and Wealth managers to Insurers, Private Equity, Pension Funds and Sovereign Wealth Funds. Our principal focus is to support and advise business leaders and owners in identifying, hiring and developing the best talent available at Board and Leadership level.

We regularly complete work at Chief Executive, Chief Investment Officer and asset class head level as well as Chief Commercial / Distribution Officer and regional / country head level. In combination with our Corporate Functions practice we are also extremely active at C-level leadership level across Finance, Risk, Operations, Technology, Compliance and People functions. In addition, we have extensive experience on the Leadership Development & Assessment side through our Pantheon Leadership business.

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Senior Associate

Executive Assistant

Associate

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Banking & Consumer Financial Services

The Consumer Financial Services and Banking Practice focuses on providing executive search and leadership development consulting at the Board and Senior Executive level. Our client base is centred around retail and commercial banking and non-bank consumer Finance providers across the UK and continental Europe.

 

Our executive search work includes the appointment of Chairs, Non-executive Directors and C-suite executives across all functional and business disciplines. Our leadership development work focuses on both individual and team programmes designed to improve performance and connectivity amongst Boards and executive teams.

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Principal, Digital & Technology

Financial Controller

Associate

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Executive Assistant

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Research Analyst

Board Practice

The Board practice at Per Ardua is run by our Chair, Simon Hearn. The practice is made up of all of our practice leaders in the firm who are automatically involved in a Board search when it is in their practice area.  The Board practice members are: Jamie Risso-Gill (Banking and Consumer Financial Services), Harry Hearn (Insurance), Charles Harvey (Wealth and Asset Management), Kate Hammar (Real Estate) and Simon Lowndes (Corporate Officers).  The practice is supported by a team of research analysts who are constantly monitoring new and current Non-Executive Directors and Chairs.

 

The Board practice works closely with Pantheon Leadership. Pantheon supports the practice with a small team of assessors and coaches who operate at Board level. They can assist with board evaluation/assessment as well as specific assessment for NED searches.

 

For four years the Board practice has run one or two NEDSchools a year – our initiative to increase the gene pool with high quality NEDs and Chairs. This is a free half day session focusing on new NEDs and potential chairs. NEDSchool has helped up to 50 NEDs and future Chairs achieve their goals. Fifty percent of our students have been diverse.

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Executive Consultant

Director & Head of Insurance

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership
Director & Head of Real Estate

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Corporate Functions

The Corporate Functions practice specialises in providing executive search and leadership advisory services to Group level and divisional functions across financial services. This includes Finance, Treasury, Actuarial, Risk and Compliance, Internal Audit, Operations, and General Counsel.

 

The practice works across Investment Management, Real Estate, Insurance, Retail & Corporate Banking, FinTech, and Private Equity providing Board and executive search, succession planning, and leadership development advice. Our deep market knowledge and expertise are focused on delivering increased leadership capability and best in class functional succession.


Our executive search mandates have included UK, European, and Global talent mapping exercises which highlight a breadth of talent pools – including the ‘less obvious’ – to identify best in class functional leadership capability for any relevant search or succession planning exercise. We have been successful in supporting our clients to understand the broader talent pools available and improving senior level diversity and succession planning, alongside increasing functional leadership impact within financial services.

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Principal, Digital & Technology

Director & Head of Insurance

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Executive Assistant

Director & Head of Real Estate

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Research Analyst

Human Resources

As a firm we have a long track record of working with businesses to strengthen their People function. As businesses continue to grow and change, so does the focus and pressure on the People agenda. As a strategic imperative, we support the imperative of having strong leadership in the CPO function. More broadly, our experience spans placing CHRO/CPOs, Heads of HR, Reward & Performance, Organisational Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Talent into key positions across a range of sectors including Banking, Real Estate, Insurance, Asset Management, Private Equity, Hedge Funds and Professional Services.  We also support the Board practice around Remuneration Committee appointments. Please contact the relevant sector lead for further information.

Associate

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Insurance

The Insurance Practice focuses on providing executive search and leadership development consulting at the Board and Senior Executive level. With clients centred around the General & Life, Lloyd’s & Company, Broking and Reinsurance markets, we have completed work for Chairs, Non-executive Directors and C-suite executives across the specialist and functional disciplines. This has been for a range of UK, European, US and International based companies, both public and private.

 

Our executive search madidates have included highly confidential, UK and Global market research studies on behalf of clients, with a specific emphasis on succession planning, client competitor analysis and attracting new and diverse talent into the Global Insurance sector.

Director & Head of Insurance

Principal, Digital & Technology

Executive Consultant

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Executive Assistant

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Executive Assistant

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Senior Associate

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Research Analyst

Olivia Anderton

Research Associate

Real Assets

The market leading Real Assets Practice at Per Ardua covers all asset classes, focuses on Europe and the Middle East and works across all senior, strategic leadership roles. This includes Board, C-suite, acquisitions, asset management, ESG, research, development, Finance, Operations, HR, Technology and data. We work with a broad range of clients including: Private Equity; Investment Managers; Family Offices; Hedge Funds; Propcos and Developers. Our clients trust our judgement, we have worked with several of them for many years. We are passionate about helping businesses create inclusive cultures – we constantly challenge our clients to look at the broadest talent pool possible. We have a strong track record delivering diverse talent for our clients and are active members of Real Estate Balance and WIRE.

Director & Head of Real Assets

Senior Associate

Principal, Digital & Technology

Executive Assistant

Associate

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Research Analyst

Asset & Wealth Management

The Asset & Wealth Management practice provides both executive search and leadership development consulting services to a range of organisations from Asset and Wealth managers to Insurers, Private Equity, Pension Funds and Sovereign Wealth Funds. Our principal focus is to support and advise business leaders and owners in identifying, hiring and developing the best talent available at Board and Leadership level.

We regularly complete work at Chief Executive, Chief Investment Officer and asset class head level as well as Chief Commercial / Distribution Officer and regional / country head level. In combination with our Corporate Functions practice we are also extremely active at C-level leadership level across Finance, Risk, Operations, Technology, Compliance and People functions. In addition, we have extensive experience on the Leadership Development & Assessment side through our Pantheon Leadership business.

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Senior Associate

Associate

Executive Assistant

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Insurance

The Insurance Practice focuses on providing executive search and leadership development consulting at the Board and Senior Executive level. With clients centred around the General & Life, Lloyd’s & Company, Broking and Reinsurance markets, we have completed work for Chairs, Non-executive Directors and C-suite executives across the specialist and functional disciplines. This has been for a range of UK, European, US and International based companies, both public and private.

 

Our executive search madidates have included highly confidential, UK and Global market research studies on behalf of clients, with a specific emphasis on succession planning, client competitor analysis and attracting new and diverse talent into the Global Insurance sector.

Director & Head of Insurance

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Executive Assistant

Senior Associate

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Board Practice

The Board practice at Per Ardua is run by our Chairman, Simon Hearn. The practice is made up of all of our practice leaders in the firm who are automatically involved in a Board search when it is in their practice area. The Board practice members are: Jamie Risso-Gill (Banking and Consumer Financial Services), Harry Hearn (Insurance), Charles Harvey (Wealth and Asset Management), Kate Hammar (Real Estate) and Simon Lowndes (Corporate Officers). The practice is supported by a team of research analysts skilled in the use of Boardex and the constant monitoring of new and current Non-Executive Directors and Chairs.

 

The Board practice works closely with Pantheon Leadership. Pantheon supports the practice with a small team of assessors and coaches who operate at Board level. They can assist with Board Evaluation/assessment as well as specific assessment for NED searches using our Paveway product.

 

For four years the Board practice has run one or two NEDSchools a year – our initiative to increase the gene pool with high quality NEDs and Chairmen. This is a free half day session focusing on new NEDs and potential chairs. NEDSchool has helped up to 50 NEDs and future Chairmen achieve their goals. Fifty percent of our students have been women.

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Director & Head of Real Estate

Director & Head of Insurance

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Banking & Consumer Financial Services

The Consumer Financial Services and Banking Practice focuses on providing executive search and leadership development consulting at the Board and Senior Executive level. Our client base is centred around retail and commercial banking and non-bank consumer Finance providers across the UK and continental Europe.

 

Our executive search work includes the appointment of Chairs, Non-executive Directors and C-suite executives across all functional and business disciplines. Our leadership development work focuses on both individual and team programmes designed to improve performance and connectivity amongst Boards and executive teams.

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Associate

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Executive Assistant

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Real Estate

The market leading Real Assets Practice at Per Ardua covers all asset classes, focuses on Europe and the Middle East and works across all senior, strategic leadership roles. This includes Board, C-suite, acquisitions, asset management, ESG, research, development, Finance, Operations, HR, Technology and data. We work with a broad range of clients including: Private Equity; Investment Managers; Family Offices; Hedge Funds; Propcos and Developers. Our clients trust our judgement, we have worked with several of them for many years. We are passionate about helping businesses create inclusive cultures – we constantly challenge our clients to look at the broadest talent pool possible. We have a strong track record delivering diverse talent for our clients and are active members of Real Estate Balance and WIRE.

Director & Head of Real Estate

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Senior Associate

Executive Assistant

Associate

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Head of Knowledge Management

Corporate Functions

The Corporate Functions practice specialises in providing executive search and leadership advisory services to Group level and divisional functions across financial services. This includes Finance, Treasury, Actuarial, Risk and Compliance, Internal Audit, Operations, and General Counsel.

 

The practice works across Investment Management, Real Estate, Insurance, Retail & Corporate Banking, FinTech, and Private Equity providing Board and executive search, succession planning, and leadership development advice. Our deep market knowledge and expertise are focused on delivering increased leadership capability and best in class functional succession.


Our executive search mandates have included UK, European, and Global talent mapping exercises which highlight a breadth of talent pools – including the ‘less obvious’ – to identify best in class functional leadership capability for any relevant search or succession planning exercise. We have been successful in supporting our clients to understand the broader talent pools available and improving senior level diversity and succession planning, alongside increasing functional leadership impact within financial services.

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Research Analyst

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Executive Assistant

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Director & Head of Insurance

Director & Head of Real Estate

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Human Resources

As a firm we have a long track record of working with businesses to strengthen their People function. As businesses continue to grow and change, so does the focus and pressure on the People agenda. As a strategic imperative, we support the imperative of having strong leadership in the CPO function. More broadly, our experience spans placing CHRO/CPOs, Heads of HR, Reward & Performance, Organisational Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Talent into key positions across a range of sectors including Banking, Real Estate, Insurance, Asset Management, Private Equity, Hedge Funds and Professional Services.  We also support the Board practice around Remuneration Committee appointments. Please contact the relevant sector lead for further information.

Financial Controller

Head of Knowledge Management

Principal and Head of Technology, Digital & FinTech Practice

Executive Assistant

Global Reach

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Per Ardua Associates Ltd
Level 14, Tower 42
25 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1HQ

Paris

Frankfurt

Zurich

Amsterdam

New York

Bermuda

Per Ardua Associates Ltd
Level 14, Tower 42
25 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1HQ

Stockholm

Edinburg

Munich

Abu Dhabi

Cologne

Luxembourg

Miami

Belfast

Dublin

Sydney

Singapore

Per Ardua Associates Ltd
Level 14, Tower 42
25 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1HQ

Paris

Frankfurt

Zurich

Amsterdam

New York

Bermuda

Per Ardua Associates Ltd
Level 14, Tower 42
25 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1HQ

Stockholm

Edinburg

Munich

Abu Dhabi

Cologne

Luxembourg

Miami

Belfast

Dublin

Sydney

Singapore

Say Hello

Charles Harvey

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Charles Harvey

Director & Head of Asset and Wealth Management

Charles joined in 2012 to build the Asset & Wealth Management practice.  This practice serves a broad range of investment-related organisations including asset managers, wealth managers, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, private equity and pension funds.  Charles leads this work and has extensive experience at Board and C-suite level as well as broader leadership roles.  The practice is international and works with clients across Europe, the Middle East and North America.


Alongside the day job, Charles has recently gone back to basics by acquiring a very energetic young dog and as a first time dog owner has discovered that it is not all plain sailing.

Simon Lowndes

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Simon Lowndes

Director & Head of Corporate Functions

Simon is a Director at Per Ardua and leads our Corporate Functions practice.

 

Simon joined in 2010 to build Per Ardua’s capability in hiring for executive leaders within the Finance & Actuarial, Risk & Compliance, Operations, and Internal Audit functions.  He works across Investment Management, Real Estate, Insurance, Retail & Corporate Banking, FinTech and Private Equity in the provision of executive search and leadership advisory and is a member of each of these sector practices.  As part of the Board practice, he also undertakes searches for Board Risk and Audit Committee appointments.

 

Simon is also a member of Per Ardua’s D,E&I Committee and is proud to have established our partnership with The Brokerage.  He sits on The Brokerage’s Changemaker Board, with Per Ardua being one of the founding supporters of their Young Leaders Programme.

Jennifer Jones

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Jennifer Jones

Director & Head of Pantheon Leadership

Jennifer is the Director of Pantheon Leadership and is accountable for our advisory work from Board and CEO services to executive development and assessment.

 

 She joined in 2018 to establish Pantheon Leadership.  Working across the globe with clients in Financial Services and Technology, Jennifer partners with Boards, CEOs, senior executives and their teams as they shape change and adapt through necessary individual, group or organisational transitions. Leading our team of psychologists and coaches, developing up to date research and relevant capability for our clients, Jennifer focuses on data driven insight, systemic interventions and long-term sustainable outcomes.

 

Jennifer is a certified business psychologist, executive and systemic team coach, holds degrees from University of Manchester and Aston University and is a TEDx speaker on executive adaptability.

 

She is proud of being from North Wales and has a keen interest in the levelling up of society and business. She lives with her husband, four children and a menagerie of animals, and is proud of the difference her work can make to others, even if her family don’t always appreciate it at the time!

Simon Hearn

Chair

Simon Hearn

Chair

Simon founded Per Ardua Associates in May 2008 and Pantheon Leadership in February 2018. Having conducted a management buy-out (MBO) in 2021, He now acts as an advisor to the MD, Jamie Risso-Gill and chairs our Remco.  Simon coordinates our Board practice and is a  member of the Insurance practice. In addition he is responsible for our Client Feedback process and Firm training. Simon attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and Harvard LPSF – 2013).

 

Simon is an ex-Chairman of his local Samaritans centre and is still a listening volunteer.

David Schofield

Senior Associate

David Schofield

Senior Associate

David is a Senior Associate at Per Ardua and works on Board, C-suite and senior leadership roles in the Asset & Wealth Management and Real Assets practices.

He is responsible for advising clients and executing searches across a broad range of investment-related organisations including asset managers, wealth managers, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, private equity and pension funds, with a particular focus on senior investment and distribution appointments. David holds a BA (Hons.) in Ancient History from the University of Bristol.

Having been the first person in his family to attend university, David has a passion for socioeconomic mobility and, outside of work, is a keen amateur artist.

Helen Aron

Senior Associate

Helen Aron

Senior Associate

Helen is a Senior Associate at Per Ardua Associates within the Corporate Functions practice. She is a HR specialist covering a range of senior HR roles, including CHROs, Deputy Head of HRs, Heads of Talent, Heads of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Remuneration Committee Chairs. In addition to her search work, Helen acts as a DE&I Leader for the firm, working on all Per Ardua’s DE&I initiatives, both internally and externally. This includes long term succession planning, tracking of data and research into pertinent diversity issues within financial services. Helen also works with Pantheon Leadership to provide best-in-class leadership advisory services for our clients.

Having studied Literature and Film at university, Helen is an avid reader. For her sins, she is also a long-suffering supporter of Watford FC!

Hannah Russell

Executive Assistant

Hannah Russell

Executive Assistant

Hannah is the Executive Assistant to Kate Hammar, Director and Real Estate Practice Leader, Charles Harvey, Director and Asset Management Practice Leader and David Schofield, Senior Associate.

Hannah is proud to have a BA Honours degree in English Literature and is a keen reader.

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Milly Pryke

Research Analyst

Milly provides research support on assignments within Financial Services, working across the Real Estate, Asset Management, Banking, Insurance and FinTech practices.

Milly joined Per Ardua Associates in September 2022 after completing her BA (Hons) in English Literature at University College London (UCL).

Harry Hearn

Director & Head of Insurance

Harry Hearn

Director & Head of Insurance

Harry joined Per Ardua in September 2008 as a Researcher. He has spent the last 14 years specialising in assignments across the UK, International and European Insurance Markets. He has completed work in both specialist and functional areas, across General Insurance, the Lloyd’s and Company Markets, Broking and Reinsurance.

As a strong advocate for Mental Health causes and charities, Harry has undertaken a number of challenges / expeditions, included Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp and most recently rowing across the Atlantic, to bring much needed awareness and support in breaking the stigma and taboo around Mental Health; specifically across the Financial Services Sector.

Harry holds a BSc (Hons) in The Built Natural Environment from the University of the West of England.

Oji Okolie

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Oji Okolie

Principal, Head of Execution Performance

Oji joined the firm in 2019 and works across all our practices to ensure execution performance and delivery remains of the highest quality for our clients.  Her responsibilities include leadership of the Research and Knowledge Management function.

 

Oji is also a real estate specialist and has a strong track record executing searches with Real Estate clients globally including Private Equity, Investment Managers, Sovereign Wealth Fund, Propcos, Operators and Developers.

 

Passionate about increasing greater diversity in financial services, Oji co-chairs the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at Per Ardua Associates.

Lydia Kennedy

Executive Assistant

Lydia Kennedy

Executive Assistant

Lydia is the Executive Assistant to Harry Hearn, Director and Head of Insurance and Oji Okolie, Principal and Head of Execution Performance.

Lydia is also a member of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee and organises regular events supporting this.

Ruaraidh Maclean

Senior Associate

Ruaraidh Maclean

Senior Associate

Ruaraidh executes assignments within the Insurance, Consumer Financial Services and Asset Management practices. 

Prior to joining Per Ardua in 2022 Ruaraidh’s experience was gained with global headhunting firm Odgers Berndtson, working as a Researcher in the Oil & Gas and Maritime & Shipping practice.

Ruaraidh holds a BA in Business Management gained from Robert Gordon University. 

Tom Adams

Research Analyst

Tom Adams

Research Analyst

Tom provides research support on assignments within Financial Services, working across the Real Estate, Asset Management, Banking, Insurance and FinTech practices.

 

Tom joined in October 2022 after completing a BA (Hons) in French Studies from the University of Bristol

Jamie Risso-Gill

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Jamie Risso-Gill

Managing Director & Head of Banking & Consumer Financial Services

Jamie is the Managing Director of Per Ardua and Head of the Banking and Consumer Financial Services’ Practice.

 

He joined the firm in 2009 to establish the Banking and Consumer Financial Services’ Practice and became the Managing Director in 2018.  In addition to running the business, Jamie focuses on searches at Board and senior executive level across senior business leadership and functional roles in Banking and Consumer Financial Services. He is also a member of the Board Practice.

Kate Hammer

Director & Head of Real Assets

Kate Hammar

Director & Head of Real Assets

Kate is a Director at Per Ardua and Head of the Real Assets practice.

She joined in 2016 to build the Real Assets practice.  Working with EMEA based Real Estate clients including Private Equity, Investment Managers, Sovereign Wealth Fund, Propcos, Operators and Developers she has an excellent track record hiring for the Board, C-suite and senior leadership roles across all functions including acquisitions, asset management, capital raising, research, finance, development, strategy, HR and tech.

Kate is also a member of Per Ardua’s RemCo.
In addition to leading the Real Estate practice, she is proud to be a working mother and continues to push the diversity agenda with her clients and her children!

Natalie Conway

Executive Assistant

Natalie Conway

Executive Assistant

Natalie is the Executive Assistant to Jamie Risso-Gill, Managing Director and Banking and Consumer Financial Services Practice Leader; Simon Hearn, Chairman; Jennifer Jones, Director of Pantheon Leadership, Per Ardua Associates’ Leadership Advisory business; and Executive Assistant to the Pantheon Leadership Team.


She joined Per Ardua in 2013, supporting across all assignments within these Practices and organises industry events on the company’s behalf. She began assisting Pantheon Leadership, which focuses on assessment and coaching at the Board and C Suite level at the beginning of 2018, when it was established.

 

In 2022, she was promoted to Team Leader of the Executive Assistants.

 

Natalie is proud to have completed the London Marathon and has an Art and Design Foundation Diploma from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design.

Lauren Timlin

Operations Associate

Lauren Timlin

Operations Associate

Lauren oversees the management of information within the business and focuses on the requirements of the Team in terms of implementing the process of capturing, developing, sharing and effectively using organisational knowledge.

 

Lauren holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Greenwich, is a self-confessed rock chick and proud cat mum.

Charlotte Stacey

Research Analyst

Charlotte Stacey

Research Analyst

Charlotte is a Research Analyst at Per Ardua.


She joined in 2021 and works in research across all the practices, but with particular focus on Corporate Officers and Functional Technology roles.

 

Charlotte is proud to have completed her MSc in International Management from Kings College London before joining Per Ardua. 

Jorden Hinscliff

Executive Assistant

Jorden Hinscliff

Executive Assistant

Jorden is the Executive Assistant to Maaike Kitsantas, Chief Operating Officer and Simon Lowndes, Director Corporate Functions.

Prior to joining Per Ardua in April 2022, she worked within the Creative Industries & Education sector as an Administration Manager, where she provided support at Director level.

Jorden attended Palmers College where she gained qualifications in a Legal Secretarial Studies course.

Gill Hammond

Financial Controller

Gill Hammond

Financial Controller

Gill is the Financial Controller at Per Ardua.

She joined in 2008 as a founder member of Per Ardua with responsibility for running the office and dealing with all financial matters, as well as providing administrative support to Simon Hearn with whom she clocked up an impressive 20-year partnership!

Recently, Gill has stepped down from the Office Manager role and now concentrates purely on the finance side, working three days a week, which allows her more time with her family and her garden!

Alex Langridge

Principal and Head of Technology, Digital & FinTech Practice

Alex Langridge

Principal and Head of Technology, Digital & FinTech Practice

Alex is a Principal at Per Ardua and runs the Technology, Digital and FinTech practice.

 

He joined in 2018 to build the Technology, Digital and FinTech practice. He co-ordinates the firm’s Private Equity and Venture Capital practice. His client base includes Banks, Insurance Companies, Asset Management Businesses, Payment Companies, Private Equity, Venture Capital and Capital Market Infrastructure businesses. He has an extensive track record of hiring at Board, ‘C’-suite and senior management levels. He has worked in North America, the UK and continental Europe. His focus is on hiring transformative ‘C’-suite leaders within scale financial institutions, building leadership teams for high-growth fintechs and insurtechs, building technology Advisory Boards and appointing digitally savvy NEDs and Chairs.

 

Alex is a member of Per Ardua’s DE&I committee and leads all efforts on neurodiversity.

 

He is proud of his single ‘hole in one’ at golf and hopes he can repeat it again.

Olivia Anderton

Research Associate

Olivia Anderton

Research Associate

Olivia is a Research Associate in the Insurance team, where she specialises in assignments across the UK, International and European Insurance Markets.


Prior to joining Per Ardua in May 2023, Olivia worked in the research department at Eames Partnership. During her tenure with the company, she completed work in both specialist and functional areas, across General Insurance, the Lloyd’s and Company Markets, Broking and Reinsurance.


Olivia completed her BSc in International Business from the University of Leeds in 2020.

Freddie Montagu

Principal, Digital & Technology

Freddie Montagu

Principal, Digital & Technology

Freddie joined Per Ardua in 2024 as a Principal, to lead the Digital & Technology capability. With extensive experience in search, Freddie has a proven track record working with companies undergoing significant growth and transformation, where solving technology issues around transformation, security, digital, product, cloud and data are central for success.

 

Prior to joining Per Ardua, Freddie was a senior member of Korn Ferry’s Global Technology & Digital Officers Practice and also led the EMEA Cyber Security Centre of Expertise. During that time, Freddie led a variety of Group CIO, CTO, CDO and CISO searches for both public and private equity backed businesses. Prior to entering search, Freddie worked in the Insight & Communications team for a global loyalty marketing company, where he worked closely with one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains.

 

He holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from Durham University.

George Davies

Executive Consultant

George Davies

Executive Consultant

George joined Per Ardua in March 2023 to support their position and growth plans for the Insurance Practice and the wider Financial Services Board work. This work will build on his experience in Board Succession, Board Composition and Executive Search. Working alongside Pantheon Leadership, Per Ardua brings together both relevant industry experience and leadership advisory services to build market-leading teams and maximise individual potential.

He has spent the last six years in Executive Search having been at Marsh McLennan for thirty six years where he held numerous positions at both Executive and Regulated Board level.

He takes little satisfaction that his children have chosen to live on the other side of the world so any searches in Australia and Hong Kong would be greatly appreciated.

Maaike Kitsantas

Chief Operating Officer

Maaike Kitsantas

Chief Operating Officer

Maaike joined Per Ardua in March 2023 to the senior management team to support the growth of the company.

She has 30 years of management experience having worked across London, Amsterdam, Brussels, New York, and Scandinavia. Most recently she spent over a decade with an executive search firm. Prior to that she was 9 years with Carlson Marketing Group a global marketing agency. She started her career at British Airways. She has managed large diverse teams covering Operations, Client Services, Marketing and HR as well as leading executive search. Maaike has an MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

She enjoys a fun game of tennis any time.

Matthew Wilkinson

Financial Controller

Matthew Wilkinson

Financial Controller

Matthew is the Financial Controller at Per Ardua and is responsible for the management of the day-to-day finances as well as providing support with any strategic initiatives from a financial perspective.

Prior to joining Per Ardua in 2024, Matthew has enjoyed working primarily with SMEs, most recently in the senior executive coaching & mentoring space as well as software development and distribution. During his Audit training he worked largely with SMEs and enjoyed learning directly from business leaders on how they ran their respective businesses, his major areas of experience included: Financial services, Manufacturing & Distribution and Retail.

He has lived in London, South Africa and Malta. He loves to travel and will take any opportunity to do so.

Matthew holds a BCom in Accountancy from Wits University in South Africa, where he also completed his audit training.

Natasha Stewart

Executive Assistant

Natasha Stewart

Executive Assistant

Natasha is Executive Assistant to Harry Hearn, Director and Head of Insurance and George Davies, Executive Consultant (maternity cover for Lydia Kennedy).
Prior to joining Per Ardua Natasha worked as an Executive Assistant withing various Executive Search and Recruitment firms in the Financial Services market.
Natasha is a keen swimmer and is a member of an open water swimming club.

Sriram Naresh

Research Analyst

Sriram Naresh

Research Analyst

Sriram provides research support on assignments within the Corporate Functions practice, working across Investment Management, Real Assets, Insurance and Banking. Prior to joining Per Ardua, Sriram enjoyed a broad range of leadership positions in Rowing and Hockey at Durham University. Sriram also enjoys cooking, with his speciality being a signature chicken curry from South India.
Sriram completed his BA in History from the University of Durham in 2023.