We wanted to do things differently from the start:
to build a search firm that was personal and personable, and had the candidates as close to our hearts as our clients;
to work with organisations who really wanted to take off the blinkers and recruit in a more proactive, positive, creative way;
to find the fabulously talented leaders who were being missed because search firms weren’t looking in the right places or giving the right support.
That was the motivation when Sapphire Partners opened its doors in 2005, and it’s what drives us today. Founded by former JP Morgan banker Kate Grussing CBE, we have quietly built a reputation for discovering, nurturing and championing the high calibre candidates that ambitious organisations need but don’t always find.
We made history in 2020 by putting forward the first women for the Bank of England Governor role and have been proud early supporters of various industry initiatives to diversify recruitment.
Part of our strength is our collegiate culture, and we’ve attracted an impressive team with the heart and passion for our values-driven, purpose-led business.
Setting the pace within our industry, strengthening organisations, uncovering talent, growing our reach … for twenty years, Sapphire Partners has been doing something different, and getting great results for the people we work with.
At Sapphire Partners, we know that every search is different.
When we began two decades ago, all our searches had to be. Our mission was to place more outstanding female candidates in senior roles, and there was no ‘network’, database or little black book to achieve that.
So we developed our own way of doing things. We really got to know our clients and our candidates, enabling them to make great, and sometimes surprising, connections. Our ‘reach’ became global and cross-sector. We nurtured relationships, supporting everyone through the process, unafraid to give honest counsel when needed.
We call this ‘Looking Differently’. It goes beyond ‘diverse’ recruitment and we apply it to everything we do - making every search bespoke, global, cross-sector, thoughtful and creative.
Trusted relationships rooted in honesty and transparency are at the heart of our business. They underpin the advice and support we give our clients and candidates.
It is often said that people are the most important asset of an organisation. We think they’re more than that - through their ideas, talents, aspirations and personalities they bring a business to life.
We partner with our clients and candidates to build long-term relationships and gain in-depth insight into their aims, objectives, hopes and dreams. When you work with us we’ll be by your side, advancing your interests, part of your team.
Driven by a collegiate culture, our experienced team strives for best-in-class service because quality matters to us. Your success is our success, whether you are a client or a candidate.
Consultant
“A search is like a puzzle, I love putting the pieces together.”
Works on executive and non-executive roles in asset and wealth management, insurance and banking. Previously worked with PE-backed businesses across multiple sectors. Has worked on roles based in the UK and internationally including Asia and the US. Joined Sapphire Partners in 2020.
Experience in financial services, insurance, asset & wealth management, across public and private businesses. Areas of expertise include corporate governance, regulated industries, DEI, transformation and change, succession planning
Came from the sell side – early career in a European investment bank. Degree in European languages from Bristol University.
Loves all things Mediterranean - she’s originally from Greece - especially the food! A fair-weather runner and mum of three.
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9970
E: liz@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Project Co-Ordinator
“A passion for supporting women”
Works on searches for private equity, infrastructure and technology, as well as Africa’s emerging markets.
Experience in recruitment and HR, having trained with Hays Recruitment and gaining a CIPD qualification. Charmaine is passionate about psychology, the arts, diversity and the recruitment and retention of women - especially women returning to work as professionals after a long career break.
Came from South Africa, where she spent the first half of her career working in recruitment for Africa’s large mining corporations. She has assisted in the start-up of new businesses and supported at CEO and Director levels.
Loves beach walks in St Ives with her family and two dogs, entertaining friends and trying out new recipes.
T: +44 (0)7989 489 528
E: charmaine@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Researcher
“Change is good”
Works on C-Suite searches, with a particular expertise in technology and financial services. Monique has over 12 years of experience recruiting senior-level talent into fintechs, banks, buy-side firms, and other financial institutions, recently delivering a Head of FX Sales and Strategy for a global exchange and a Director of Cloud Transformation for a professional services firm.
Experience in Equities Technology (Merrill Lynch), before being headhunted to build the Sell-Side Quantitative Finance Recruitment desk within a start-up search firm.
Came from the world of social enterprise. In 2007 Monique founded Worda Mouth, an award-winning agency providing media workshops - raising self-esteem and aspiration amongst disengaged youth - and local government consultation solutions. During her time on the board, Monique secured partnerships with the YMCA & Metropolitan police. She studied Computer Science at Kings College London,
Loves the Kaizen Philosophy, her favourite Taiichi Ohno quote being “progress cannot be generated when we are satisfied with existing situations” Monique is also a champion bodybuilder and mother of four young children.
Consultant
“Understanding people and their motivations, that’s a privilege.”
Works on executive and non-exec searches in insurance (including Lloyd’s), asset management, private banking and non-profit/social finance sectors. Joined Sapphire Partners in 2020.
Experience in financial services, as well as telco/tech/manufacturing sectors for FTSE boards.
Came from a twenty-year career in financial services executive recruitment with international organisations including Robert Walters and Whitehead Mann, along with specialist boutique firms The Rose Partnership and RAH Partners. Degree in Economics and Industrial and Organisational Psychology from the University of Cape Town.
Loves reading, running, yoga and spending time with her family and friends.
T: +44 (0)207292 9977
E: sam@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Research Manager
“A diverse mix of people leads to better ideas, decisions and outcomes for everyone”
Works on searches and desk & external research across a wide range of sectors, with a focus on financial services in executive and board level recruitment. Has worked at Sapphire Partners for over thirteen years.
Experience in executive search since 2011.
Came from Clear Channel, where she was Executive Operations Assistant, working with the legal and sales departments as well as customer service, event management and public relations. Prior to that, Jodie worked at the SLGB Knowledge School.
Loves being in the sunshine, experiencing different cultures, travelling and cooking, especially researching and testing new recipes.
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9975
E: jodie@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Managing Director
“never underestimate the impact one voice can have”
Works on executive leadership and board searches, identifying exceptional candidates and providing hands-on leadership for the Sapphire team. In 2005, after spotting an appetite for greater diversity in senior board roles, Kate set up Sapphire Partners to be a market leader in more diverse executive search. Recognised as a thought leader in human capital, diversity, inclusion and equality, Kate received a CBE for services to business in 2022.
Experience in CEO, CFO, NED and Chair searches. Kate has been on multiple trustee boards, including: the Chartered Management Institute (chair of Remuneration Committee); Advisory Board for Rare Recruitment; Business Leadership Committee of Wellesley College; European Advisory Board of the Tuck School (Dartmouth College). Kate was a Trustee of the London Institute of Imagination and served 17 years as Trustee for the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association.
Formally and informally, she continues to mentor high potential talent, with a focus on people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Came from M&A and corporate finance with JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley and worked at strategy consultancy McKinsey (London and New York). She has built an enviable network of women executives across the UK and abroad, and is an inspiring mentor, coach and sponsor, having received numerous awards for her work developing best practice in recruitment and promoting diversity at board and senior leadership level. Originally from the US, Kate has worked in the UK for over 33 years. A proud and active graduate of Wellesley, where she graduated with honours and a double major in Economics and Political Science and Dartmouth, where she received her MBA and was a Tuck Scholar.
Loves cycling, culture (theatre, galleries), foodie haunts and chocolate. She has four adult children, including one with special needs, and a very patient husband.
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9971
E: kate@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Research Consultant
“it’s about a breadth of experience”
Works on a range of sectors, including financial services, industrial, retail, consumer and luxury, media and technology. Julie joined Sapphire Partners in 2021 and carries out research for senior leadership roles in every size of organisation - from large blue-chip multinationals to small, founder and owner-led businesses, private equity-backed companies to non-profit organisations.
Experience in delivering cross-border searches for group and divisional chief executive, non-executive and senior executive roles.
Came from Peridot Partners and Eric Salmon & Partners, where she led the London-based research team. Julie began her career as researcher and then consultant with major international executive search companies GKR, Whitehead Mann/Korn Ferry.
Loves all forms of the arts, travels and reads widely and has a particular passion for culinary adventures.
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9970
E: julie@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Finance Director
Works on leading all financial planning and analysis (FP&A), including forecasting, budgeting, and cash flow management.
Loves cruise ship holidays and being involved with Arborcare – tree hugging at its best!
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
“you’re never too old to dream”
Works on providing key support to the Managing Director and the team. Lisa joined Sapphire Partners in 2017.
Experience in executive search since 2007, supporting at Chairman, CEO, COO, VP and Director levels. Previously, Lisa worked for boutique search companies in pharmaceuticals and bioscience, building on her experience in quality, regulatory affairs and HR in those sectors.
Came from a childhood in Hong Kong, before arriving in England to gain a City & Guilds in Hotel Management and an HND in Business Management. She is part CIPD qualified.
Loves giving back to the community, regularly volunteering at her local hospice. She enjoys cooking, walking, travelling and experiencing different cultures. She’s inspired by this Michelle Obama quote: “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9973
E: lisa@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Junior Researcher
“Be encouraged; either find a way, or make one”
Works on planning search strategies, research and finding candidates that meet clients’ requirements.
Experience in competitive intelligence, industry research and insights, with over 15 years in professional services, financial services and blue-chip firms.
Proving her resilience, determination and ability to overcome obstacles, Bunmi realised her long-time ambition of starting a new career in executive search when she joined Sapphire Partners in 2021.
Comes from events management and coaching firm Aspire, a training company providing leadership events, research and executive coaching for senior female leaders. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies from London Metropolitan University.
She has mentored young girls from diverse backgrounds and If there is no door build one!
Loves walking in woods, laughing out loud, dancing like no one’s watching, spending time with family and friends. Her favourite quote is “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. and her favourite poem is Still I Rise by Maya Angelou.
T: +44 (0)7862 324 266
E: bunmi@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Technology Manager
Works on Sapphire’s technology, IT systems and networks. Supports new technology implementation and troubleshoots hardware, software and network issues.
Loves fishing and holidays to visit his family and home in the Philippines.
Consultant
“It’s about trust”
Works on assisting clients with their human capital needs, including non-executive and board-level appointments, searches for senior functional experts and highly confidential due diligence projects.
Experience in the executive search sector for over 20 years, spanning the UK, Asia and Australia. Veronica joined Sapphire in 2020.
Comes from a career in increasingly senior marketing and product roles at the world’s largest conference company, latterly as Marketing Director for Asia Pacific. She has a BA Honours in English Literature from Cardiff University.
Loves family, friends, the arts and travel. Having spent 17 years of her life living in four different countries and three different continents she is a great believer in the joys and benefits of travel and the multiple perspectives it affords.
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9974
E: veronica@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Technology Director
Works on managing the implementation, development, monitoring, maintenance, upgrading and support of organisational IT systems.
Loves skiing, holidays abroad in the sunshine and being a cool dad to his 3 children.
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Director
“Never underestimate the power of your network and a strong CV”
Works on senior executive and non-executive searches across functional roles and sectors with a focus on financial services. She has an extensive background of over 25 years in executive search and has been with Sapphire Partners since 2010.
Experience in executive coaching and advising senior leaders on their career transitions. She has worked at Ridgeway Partners, Russell Reynolds Associates, Whitehead Mann and GKR, focusing primarily on international financial services and board level recruitment. She brings broad geographic experience and a strong research emphasis to her searches.
Comes from London’s Olympic Bid team, London 2012, Wasserstein Perella and County NatWest. She has an MSc in Human Resource Management from the London School of Economics.
Loves living near the coast and has a great love of the sea. She also enjoys exploring new places, cookery, beachcombing and catching up with friends and family, which are all frequently included in her travels!
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9978
E: sally@sapphirepartners.co.uk
Director
“It’s not about square pegs for square holes – difference is the added value”
Works on helping clients find exceptional, diverse candidates for senior executive and non-executive Chair and NED roles in a variety of sectors - including asset/investment and wealth management, insurance, government and not-for-profit institutions. She also set up and leads Sapphire’s Investment Trust practice, growing the reputation of the firm as a leading executive search partner in the sector.
Experience in talent management, organisational development, intercultural communication and DEI. She is an accredited assessor in Myers-Briggs and Hogan psychometrics.
Comes from over 14 years working as an expert at the European Commission in Brussels, leading entrepreneurship programmes across 15 countries, before returning to the UK in 2012 as a Senior Associate of Brook Graham Diversity Consultants (now part of Pinsent Masons). Caroline was project lead at Cranfield School of Management - co-authoring the government female FTSE women on boards reports - and led the Global Management MA Programme at the University of Buckinghamshire. She joined Sapphire in 2015. She has a BSc in Anthropology from UCL, a MSc in Economics and Marketing and is fluent in Greek and French.
Loves diverse cultures and languages - having spent 30 years living outside the UK – cooking, walking in the country, reading and dancing.
T: +44 (0)20 7292 9976
E: caroline@sapphirepartners.co.uk
