ANDERSONQUIGLEY - Key Persons
Aino joined Anderson Quigley in 2023, prior to which she worked for two boutique executive search firms, specialising in higher education and the not-for-profit sector. She has worked on a number of senior executive and non-executive appointments, ranging from charity CEOs and board members to senior academics and professional services leaders. Aino is driven by her passion to help organisations find leaders who create positive social change. She holds a MA in International Relations and Hispanic Studies and a MSc in Human Resource Management.
Job Titles:
- Research Consultant
- Anderson Quigley in 2023 As a Research Consultant
Aisha joined Anderson Quigley in 2023 as a Research Consultant after transitioning from her role as a Lawyer. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos in 2018.
Her quest for excellence led her to the UK where she recently earned a Master of Laws from the University of Kent in 2023 with a Distinction. Aisha is committed to continuous growth and a passion for delivering exceptional results.
In 2019, Akhil joined Anderson Quigley to provide support in identifying candidates for time-critical interim leadership positions within the Higher Education and Not-for-Profit sectors. Since then, his remit has expanded to include both interim and permanent appointments, and over the last five years, he has played a pivotal role in enhancing Anderson Quigley's influence within both public and private Higher Education. As of 2024, he has successfully led and executed over 200 interim and permanent leadership and executive appointments, contributing to the growth and development of more than 80 Higher Education Institutions.
With a strong passion for constructing diverse leadership and executive teams from the top down, especially for organisations seeking change and transformation, Akhil is committed to further expanding AQ's presence in the UK and beyond. His remit encompasses both academic and professional services leadership roles, and he finds particular satisfaction in identifying and appointing candidates with developmental potential to become the forward-thinking leaders of tomorrow.
Alberto is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School (Centre for Strategic Philanthropy) and has interviewed 200+ CEOs and board members for the Do One Better Knowledge Hub and Podcast in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. He is originally from Argentina and has research interests in diversity, global south philanthropy and sustainable business.
Alberto joined Anderson Quigley as a Partner in 2023 bringing his rich experience across a range of sectors to help global organisations focussed on social impact.
He was formerly Global CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation; Senior Advisor to the Goldie Hawn Foundation; and Director of Development at both the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation and Trinity College, Cambridge. He is a school governor, sits on the Global Council of STIR Education and is a member of the Judging Academy of the World's Best School Prizes.
Alberto holds degrees from the University of Cambridge (Faculty of Divinity) and the London School of Economics (Management) and has published thought pieces in the Economist Intelligence Unit / Economist Impact on issues ranging from climate change and impact investing to gender-based violence and global philanthropy.
With over five years of experience working in executive search, Alicja brings expertise in leading search projects in higher education, life sciences, and finance across the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. She has experience in identifying senior executive talent for universities, pharmaceutical companies, management consulting firms, and asset managers. Alicja is particularly passionate about searches that involve bringing diversity into talent pools.
Job Titles:
- Associate Partner - Schools
Andrew has supplied products and services to the education industry for over 35 years, in that time creating and delivering market-leading learning and teaching content, formative assessments, professional development and training courses, and back office services to Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and schools.
Andrew has worked at a senior director level for a variety of companies involved in supporting leaders, teachers and students, at home and internationally, including Optimus Education, Real Group, Prospects Services, GL Education Group, Pearson and RSAcademics. He was Director of Content at the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), a government non-departmental body focused on delivering teaching and learning in schools through technology. Andrew has been chair of the two main trade associations that represent suppliers of education services to MATs and schools: the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), and the Educational Publishers Council (EPC).
Andrew believes passionately in the importance of school improvement so that all young people are supported to identify and then achieve their life chances. Andrew is Chair of Big Education Trust, a growing MAT which as well as teaching and learning delivers initiatives used by many schools nationwide, including the oracy curriculum Voice21, and the research studies Rethinking Leadership and Rethinking Assessment; a trustee of the Academies Enterprise Trust, one of the largest academy chains in England with 57 schools serving over 33,000 students; and a non-executive director of the Confederation of School Trusts Professional Development Ltd, the sector body for MATs and Free Schools advocating for, connecting and supporting executive and governance leaders.
With over 13 years' experience of working in executive search, Carolyn brings extensive knowledge and expertise of leading challenging education search projects. She has played a key role in identifying high-calibre candidates for prominent appointments across a wide range of education sector organisations.
She has worked on senior executive and non-executive appointments for Government, regulators, universities, colleges and numerous academy trusts. Before entering executive search, Carolyn worked as a personal assistant for two senior politicians at the European Commission in Brussels.
Claire has supported the public sector for over 20 years, providing interim and consultancy solutions to universities, housing associations, local authorities and the NHS. Her speciality is connecting her clients with flexible talent that can help deliver sustainable change, shaping organisations for the future and improving financial and operational outcomes. Claire has built an impressive track record with public sector leaders and helped many organisations identify the right solution in time-critical situations.
Claire also has a passion for providing careers advice and guidance to individuals, especially to those who have not previously considered an interim career before, but whom have unique insights and skills to offer the interim market. Claire joined Anderson Quigley in December 2021 to focus on supporting higher education, healthcare and social housing with senior interim managers and consultancy solutions.
After graduating from Victoria University of Wellington with a BSc in Cell and Molecular Bioscience in 2018, Claudia worked as an Administration Assistant for the New Zealand School Trustees Association. In 2019, Claudia relocated to London and, after time spent travelling in Europe, she moved into administrative roles in recruitment. In 2022, she joined Anderson Quigley's support team and works within the higher education sector.
During the course of a lengthy career in higher education, Deian has worked in six universities, retiring as a Vice-Chancellor in 2010. He has served on the governing bodies of several universities and Further Education Colleges and has been involved in executive search and consultancy for the past decade.
A historian by profession, he has been extensively involved in national educational reform, serving on the Learning and Skills Council and the Healthcare Sector Skills Council. He was also an Apprenticeships Ambassador. Deian conducted the 2009 inquiry into the Student Loans Company on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, after which he was appointed interim Chair.
Deian has wide experience in public service and governance, including most recently serving as president of the National Library of Wales and Expert Adviser to the First Minister of Wales. He serves on the Higher Education Commission and is a trustee of the Council for Academics-at-Risk (CARA) and of the Worshipful Company of Educators. He is also a judge of the annual Times Higher awards and an assessor for the Queen's Anniversary Prizes. He was knighted in 2009 for services to higher education and skills in the UK and has been awarded honorary degrees and fellowships from six universities.
With over 20 years' experience of delivering leadership and public appointments for the education and wider public sector, Ed brings a deep knowledge of the education system and an international network of cross-sector executive, non-executive and political connections.
Having previously developed and led one of the country's foremost education executive search practices, he has a national reputation for exceptional client delivery. His career has been built on one simple mantra: clients and candidates first. His track record ranges from entire top-team restructures and single leadership roles to high profile public and Crown appointments. His career spans the education, government, health and charity sectors - across the UK and beyond.
Ed is a former Chair of an outstanding multi-academy trust and remains involved as a Member. He also provides his sector expertise as an ex-officio advisor to the remuneration committee of a major university.
Ella joined Anderson Quigley in 2023 to support administrative functions within the executive search team. Ella graduated from the University of Otago in 2018, with a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Zoology. Since university, she has worked in administration roles across professional services and event management. After leaving New Zealand to travel around Europe, Ella has settled in London to pursue a career in the professional services sector.
After an early career in professional education, Elliott joined a leading executive search firm in 2003. Focusing on senior education and government appointments, he rose quickly to become a Director and Practice lead, while also completing an MBA at Henley Management College. Before co-founding Anderson Quigley, he spent five years developing and leading the education practice at another major executive search firm.
Collaborating with clients across the education system, Elliott has supported the appointment of vice-chancellors, chief executives and principals, academic and professional services leaders, chairs and board members. He has also supported leadership roles in a wide range of government agencies including funders, regulators and quality bodies. Passionate about delivering an outstanding candidate and client experience, Elliott is proud to have supported a diverse range of candidates, over two decades, to secure exciting and often transformative new roles. Motivated by his own journey through the education system, Elliott enjoys supporting organisations that deliver societal benefit.
Elyse has several years' executive search experience and has played a key role in identifying candidates for key senior positions across the Not for Profit and central government sectors. She joined Anderson Quigley in 2019, prior to which she worked for one of the largest UK-based headhunting firms in their Not for Profit practice. Recent successful executive and non-executive appointments that Elyse has worked on include: Chief Executive, Royal National Institute for the Blind; Chief Executive, Treloar Trust; Chair and Trustees, Whiteley Homes Trust; Director of Research, Prostate Cancer UK; Chief Executive, NACRO.
Before her career in executive search, Elyse worked for various charitable organisations (primarily in fundraising positions). She holds a BA in History from the University of Southampton as well as a Masters in Decorative Arts from the University of Buckingham.
With over twenty years' recruitment experience Grace specialises in executive search and selection for C-level and senior technology leadership appointments within the public and Not for Profit sectors. Actively supporting clients to reduce barriers to recruitment and to promote diversity in the workplace, Grace brings tailored solutions for both permanent and interim leadership roles.
Grace joined the AQ team in 2022 to further expand our work in technology & digital and data appointments; prior to joining the team she built an impressive track record recruiting mid to senior level roles for global charities, UK membership bodies, central and local government and leadership teams within the higher education sector. Grace works with personal integrity, vision, energy, and passion to support her clients and candidates through the recruitment process and beyond.
Grace's recent appointments include Interim Director of IT Projects - City University, Head of Applications & Development - St Marys University, Director of IT - Arts/Heritage Organisation, CIO - Arts/Heritage Organisation, Interim CTO - Private Education Group, Director and Assistant Director of IT - Government Body, Assistant Director of IT - University, Assistant Director of Infrastructure - University, Interim Director of Technology Operations- University and Head of IT - National Charity.
Hayley has supported the education sector for the last ten years, providing executive search and interim and consultancy solutions to Independent Schools, Academy Trusts, FE Colleges, and Universities. Her speciality is understanding the education sector and connecting talent that is passionate about providing high quality inclusive education. Hayley has built a track record with education leaders and helped many organisations identifying top talent.
Hayley has a passion for education, she is a governor for MAT working closely with the head and trust leaders to ensure excellent levels of education. She previously worked closely with England Rugby Schools to deliver inclusive sport in schools and has strong understanding of the curriculum.
Hayley joined the AQ team to further develop the schools and colleges practice and is driven by making a positive difference to the education sector through the quality of leadership appointment.
With over 20 years of executive search experience, Heather has appointed senior roles within health, housing, third sector, local and central government, as well as regulatory bodies.
Joining Anderson Quigley in 2023, Heather continues her work specialising in the appointment of executive roles in the NHS covering acute, ambulance service, primary care, mental health, and regulatory bodies as well as national organisations and Royal Colleges.
Heather has developed excellent networks spanning the public and private sectors, opening new talent pools for hard-to-fill roles. An experienced Executive Coach, she provides bespoke services, advice and guidance to her clients and candidates, reflecting her passion for supporting individuals to fulfil their career ambitions, especially those moving into their first board role. With an unwavering focus on diversity, Heather has taken positive action to tap into diverse networks and design selection processes that enable individuals from all backgrounds to demonstrate their unique skills and experience.
With over 20 years' headhunting experience Helene has appointed to senior roles within the arts, health, and education fields as well as central and local government. Joining Anderson Quigley in 2018, Helene has established and continues her work specialising in the appointment of executive and non-executive directors in the NHS covering acute, ambulance service, primary care, mental health, and regulatory bodies as well as national organisations and Royal Colleges.
In addition to her work with NHS Trusts, Helene has established Anderson Quigley's Board Practice, working across all sectors to appoint Chairs and Non-Executive Directors. She has developed excellent networks across the public and private sectors to encourage greater levels of diversity around the Boardroom table. As well as providing bespoke services, advice and guidance to her clients and candidates Helene is highly motivated to provide careers advice and guidance to individuals, especially to those who have not previously considered a non-executive opportunity before but whom have unique insights and skills to offer.
Prior to Imogen's 20-year career in executive search, she was a senior civil servant with the Department for Education holding departmental responsibilities for higher education funding and before that for further education funding. Having built two successful education practices in two global search firms, she has a reputation for delivering a high-quality service for both clients and candidates in the higher education sector.
She has worked on roles at Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Director, Head of School and Professorial level as well as senior professional services appointments. In recent years, she has also delivered high profile national roles in the training, skills and Not for Profit sectors.
Jessica graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2013 with a BSc (Hons) in Events Management. After working in administrative roles, she has spent the last five years working in the education sector where she supported the Headteacher and managed student admissions of a high achieving independent school in London. Jessica joined the Anderson Quigley team in August 2022 to work as an Executive Assistant supporting the higher education practice.
Before joining Anderson Quigley, John led and developed the UK's foremost public and third sector interim management firms. Over 16 years he built an award-winning team which was twice voted the UK's leading provider of senior interim managers by the Institute of Interim Management.
His achievements include major contributions to government flagship education programmes. He has supported the Department for Education's academy and new schools programme since 2001 and has continued to provide them with a diverse range of consultants to promote and grow these priority education initiatives.
As the UK's most established interim management consultant in higher education, John has worked with over 80 universities, drawing on his unrivalled pool of interim leaders to support universities on a range of academic leadership and professional services interim appointments.
Kate joined Anderson Quigley at the end of 2020 to support administration functions within the Interim Management team. She is originally from Canada and graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2013. After graduating, Kate travelled extensively which led her to New Zealand where she spent almost five years before relocating to the UK.
In New Zealand, Kate worked as a Recruitment Consultant, fulfilling end-to-end recruitment programmes for high volume customer service and sales roles in the public and private sectors.
A graduate of the University of Oxford, Kiersten's career has encompassed senior roles in the private, public and third sectors. Joining Anderson Quigley in 2022, Kiersten brings significant recent experience in supporting the international higher education sector, delivering key appointments in both academic and professional services areas.
Having previous experience in bookkeeping, business partnering, financial analysis and management accounting, Laura joined Anderson Quigley in 2023 as our Finance Assistant. Laura moved from Ireland to Scotland 12 years ago and has since gained experience in a wide variety of roles but is now focussed on building their finance career through further study and working closely alongside our Finance Director.
Laura is an experienced Finance Director with a passion for working with entrepreneurial SMEs in the professional services sector. She has worked with several start-up and high growth recruitment and executive search firms and has been working with Anderson Quigley to create financial stability while building towards ambitious growth plans.
Lucy joined AQ in 2023, bringing her experience in appointing candidates across an array of sectors, including third-sector appointments and in researching and qualifying candidates for significant C-suite opportunities. Lucy has joined Grace as part of our AQ Technology Practice, and also joins our Interim search team.
Nicki leads all corporate, governance, EDI, operations and marketing activity for Anderson Quigley. In addition, she manages our support team, ensuring our firm provides a first class and timely service, allowing our consultants to be fully client and candidate focussed.
Before founding Anderson Quigley with Ed, Elliott and John, she spent most of her career in the publishing industry working across account and brand management, marketing, sales, licensing and operations. She worked for Penguin Books both in New Zealand and the UK before joining The Walt Disney Company and then DreamWorks Animation where she managed the growth and development of the children's licensed publishing business for multiple global territories.
Job Titles:
- Social Media Manager
- Anderson Quigley As Their Social Media Manager
Originally from the USA, Nicole graduated from The University of Delaware with a bachelor's degree in English and spent a decade working in sales and content writing, which blossomed into a social media career. She moved to the UK in 2017 and continued to work in sales, writing, and social media through digital marketing agencies, freelancing, and charitable works.
In 2022, Nicole joined Anderson Quigley as their Social Media Manager to amplify and promote AQ's voice, mission, and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Nicole has a passion for bridging the gap of social inequalities and takes pride in the opportunity to do so in her role.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Finance Director
Orla is a chartered accountant with over 15 years' experience working in a big 4 accountancy firm before joining Anderson Quigley in 2021. She has experience working across a wide range of sectors on audit, forensics and transactions projects, whilst now focussing solely on the recruitment and executive search market. She oversees all finance functions and strategy.
For nearly a decade, Phil has worked in education recruitment. Initially, his focus and specialism was the domestic independent schools sector in the UK; however, in recent years, he has been handling executive searches for education providers globally, facilitating a range of academic and operational leadership appointments for prominent education brands. He enjoys the breadth and variety that education search offers and has experience partnering with charitable organisations and trusts, for-profit private schools, education consultancies, and school groups and associations, as well as working directly with individual school owners and proprietors.
A key driver for the work Phil carries out is the appreciation of the social impact that education leaders have in their communities and beyond. Ensuring that the highest calibre of leaders occupy those positions of influence is a powerful mechanism to positively influence the outcomes of many and is something that ought to require great attention and care.
Phil joined the AQ Team in 2023 to support growth in the Schools practice, and he'll be networking with and engaging education leaders across a spectrum of functions within the education sector, both domestically in the UK and overseas.
Samantha has several years' experience in public sector executive search, specialising in higher education and life sciences. After graduating from Coventry University with a bachelor's degree in Business and Law, she joined a specialist firm owned by the University of Warwick.
This was followed by a move to a boutique firm where she developed a higher education desk running end-to-end processes for permanent appointments in the sector, as well as supporting on CEO appointments across wider sectors. Samantha joined Anderson Quigley in 2022 to support and grow the education team.
Sophie joined Anderson Quigley in 2021 to support administrative functions within the executive search team. After graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history, she moved to London in 2019 to pursue her career supporting the public sector. Sophie has recently completed a Master of Public Policy with First Class Honours.
With over 13 years' experience working in executive search, Sophie brings significant expertise in identifying high calibre candidates for executive and non-executive appointments across a wide range of education and Not for Profit organisations.
Sophie joined Anderson Quigley in 2019, having previously worked for a leading public sector executive search firm.