LEADERSHIP TEAM
Charles Whitaker
Founder & CEO
Charles is the Founder and Chairman of Connaught, which he launched in 2006 as the first “Search Solutions” company in the executive search industry. He conceived and delivered the Executive RPO model as an embedded service within a FTSE 100 company, developing its wider application to major corporations to save cost, contribute to competitive advantage via deep strategic partnership, to support their overall corporate strategy, and to be the most ethical company in the industry.
Charles has extensive expertise across the financial services, technology, real estate, defence and aerospace sectors and specialises in building high performance delivery teams across international platforms.
Formerly a professional soldier, Charles was educated at Sandhurst and The Staff College, his latter appointments including command of an operational reconnaissance squadron in the Balkans, and Chief of Staff of a Brigade. He entered the Executive Search industry in 2001 and also provides pro-bono support to charities focused on finding employment for injured ex-servicemen.
Nick Bunkum
Director
Nick has deep sector experience in the financial services, IT and technology, retail, property, professional services and energy.
Nick joined Connaught Search in 2007 as Client Director for a Fortune 500 Global Technology client that was an early and extensive adopter of Embedded Search, which he delivered internationally. He later became Customer Services Director of Connaught Search and is now a Director of the business.
With over 25 years’ experience, Nick began recruiting IT specialists in the UK, eventually moving to Brussels to manage a European operation. He then joined a US management consultancy where for five years he led the EU recruitment team hiring consultants in twenty-two countries, before joining Cambridge Technology Partners as Head of Recruitment. Nick then worked as a Director of a boutique executive search firm focused on technology and e-commerce sectors.
Email : nick.bunkum@connaughtsearch.com
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Nick Turner
Client Director
Nick has 30 years’ experience as an international search specialist, with emphasis on executive positions in IT, Telecommunications, Engineering, Financial sector and more.
Nick started his recruitment career in the UK and has since worked in USA, the Middle East and Australia, the latter where he led the Telecoms practice for the largest human resource consultancy in the southern hemisphere.
Returning to the UK, Nick then moved in-house, at first leading recruitment for Cisco across their Emerging Markets and Nordic Regions, subsequently building from scratch the EMEA recruitment capability for Polycom.
Nick worked alongside Connaught for many years, employing them as the preferred choice to deliver high level executive search operations. He recently joined Connaught, bringing his considerable international experience to support their delivery platform for premium clients.
Fiona Barnes
Financial Controller
Fiona joined Connaught in 2009 as Financial Controller, with all the functional support and financial administration of the company falling under her remit.
Fiona’s meticulous organisational and financial skills have driven considerable improvements in the efficiency of the company, to ensure its smooth running. Her systems have earned the notice of - and highest commendation from - HMRC.
Prior to joining Connaught, Fiona was PA and Office Manager to the Chairman of a Commercial Property developer, a Knightsbridge Surveyor and also to fashion designer Bruce Oldfield.
Email: fiona.barnes@connaughtsearch.com
Andy Gibb
Non-Executive Director
Andy has deep sector experience in the energy, professional and financial services.
Andy worked for 25 years in Royal Dutch Shell, including roles as Head of Global Recruitment, HR Director of the pioneering SMDS Gas to Liquids plant in Malaysia, and in the Middle East.
Subsequently he was Director of International Resourcing for Ernst & Young International, and Head of Global Resourcing for Man Group, the major FTSE100 hedge fund group based In UK, Switzerland and the USA. At Ernst & Young Andy recruited Partners within Europe in Corporate Finance, Tax, Law, and Audit working with the senior leadership teams in each country practice to identify and confirm the business need, and then to recruit the best people.
A Fulbright Scholar, Andy chaired the British Fulbright Alumni, and is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist who developed Shell’s recruitment and selection methods. He is the author of “Get that Job!” a complete guide to recruitment and selection. Andy joined the Board of Connaught as a Director in early 2010.
Email : andy.gibb@connaughtsearch.com