What excites you most about Oxford HR’s future?
We know these are turbulent times, and a lot of my thinking is focused on how we respond to support our clients through them. While Oxford HR has long been known for executive search and senior-level hiring, we’re continually adapting to meet the changing needs of the sector and the organisations we work with by offering a broad range of leadership services.
One of our greatest strengths is our people. We have a highly qualified team with deep sector expertise, many of whom have worked together for years and built strong relationships with both long-standing and new clients. Our culture of recruiting staff who bring first-hand sector experience means we can quickly understand the challenges our clients face and adapt our support accordingly.
With our global presence, specialist knowledge, and expanding range of services, I believe Oxford HR is uniquely positioned to continue partnering with this remarkable sector that we all care so deeply about. I’m also excited about the opportunity for us to further strengthen our thought leadership and contribute to the conversations shaping the future of the for-purpose world.
What are some of your priorities for your first year?
We have worked hard to respond to the evolving needs of the sector. Today, we’re offering an increasingly broad range of services, including leadership and organisational development consulting, coaching, succession planning support, HR consulting, and interim solutions amongst other things.
One of my key priorities is to continue strengthening these services so that they become as established and impactful as our executive search offering. By diversifying what we provide, we can build deeper, longer-term partnerships with both existing and new clients, supporting them across a wider range of challenges and opportunities.
This aligns closely with our ambition to become a trusted strategic partner throughout the leadership journey, rather than being involved at just one point in the process.
What was the most formative experience in your career?
Moving from the private sector, working with organisations such as Microsoft and Frost & Sullivan Consulting, to working in the field with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) changed my life forever. I spent extended periods in both Myanmar and Haiti, including in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010. Seeing first-hand the impact that MSF teams were making in those environments fundamentally changed how I viewed work and the kind of impact I wanted my own career to have.
After starting a family and becoming less able to travel internationally, I joined Oxford HR. It felt like the perfect place to combine my commercial background with my desire to contribute to the wider for-purpose sector. Twelve years later, that still holds true. We continue to work with inspiring organisations across an ever-evolving global landscape. Even though Oxford HR has been around for more than 30 years, we’re constantly introduced to new organisations doing incredible work in communities around the world. Oxford HR has allowed me to stay connected to the sector and continue contributing to meaningful change, even though my own role looks very different today.
What issues keep you awake at night?
The current global landscape and the impact it is having on people is something I think about a great deal.
Many outstanding organisations are facing significant financial pressures, which means they’re often forced to focus on survival rather than fully delivering on their missions. At the same time, there are many talented professionals looking for opportunities to contribute their skills to purpose-driven work, but fewer roles are available.
It’s been an incredibly difficult period for many organisations and individuals. While I’m proud of the way Oxford HR has supported our clients through these challenges, it hasn’t been easy. Thinking about how we continue to adapt, remain relevant, and help as many organisations and candidates as possible is something that certainly keeps me awake at night.
What helps you stay energised in and outside of work?
One of the things that keeps me motivated is knowing that, in our own small way, we’re helping organisations make a positive difference in the world. Of course, there are challenges and frustrations along the way, but the feedback we receive from the market regularly reminds us of the value of what we do. It makes me incredibly proud of both the team and the work we’re doing in such a diverse and global sector.
Outside of work, my two young boys, Gabriel and Etienne, certainly keep my energy levels high. They bring a lot of joy, perspective, and activity into everyday life.
Having been with Oxford HR for 12 years, I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. We have a talented team, a strong culture, and a shared sense of purpose that connects us both inside and outside the office. That’s something very special, and it’s a big part of what keeps me energised every day.
