Our People

David Allen is a Principal Consultant at Perrett Laver, working across the firm’s Board, Global Higher Education and Global Chairs & Professors Practices. David was previously Registrar and Deputy Chief Executive of the University of Exeter from 2009, having been Registrar and Secretary since 2003. Prior to joining Exeter, he held similar positions at the universities of Birmingham and Nottingham.

He is currently a member of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Board, and a nonexecutive Director of South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. He has previously served on the Board of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and has chaired uniquely both the Association of University Administrators and the Association of Heads of University Administration. David was awarded an OBE for services to higher education in the 2012 New Year’s Honours List.

Birgit is a Principal Consultant at Perrett Laver and leads the Sydney office. She began her career as a Research Fellow in Berlin moving to the University of Warwick to work in the Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations and the Department of Politics and International Studies. She then joined a novel research grants programme that sought to support partnerships between UK universities and charities, and was subsequently appointed as Head of Grants at the Royal Society and Director of Programmes at the British Academy.

Since joining Perrett Laver, Birgit has taken a lead in further expanding our work in Australasia, working on PVC appointments for Monash University, a significant programme of academic and professional restructure at Murdoch University, and various professorial and leadership positions at RMIT, including the President of RMIT University Vietnam, as well as UNSW and the Universities of Melbourne and Sydney amongst others. Birgit holds a PhD in Sociology and an MA in Race and Ethnic Studies from the University of Warwick, as well as an MA in Political Science from the Freie Universität Berlin. She has travelled extensively, including spending six months in China learning some Mandarin.

Fiona Carruthers is a Principal Consultant at Perrett Laver, specialising in senior appointments for UK Higher Education Institutions.  Fiona has considerable experience having spent the majority of her career in Executive Search working with a variety of organisations in both the public and private sectors.  For the last decade she has been focused on Higher Education having helped to establish the Practice for Heidrick and Struggles and more recently working at Odgers Berndtson. She has advised on Vice-Chancellor appointments for a range of Universities, including a number of research intensive institutions, for example Bristol, Cambridge, Hull, Kings College, LSE, UCL, Reading, Southampton, St Andrews and Warwick; she has also assisted with the appointments of Heads of House including Master of Balliol College and Principals of Somerville and Green Templeton Colleges, Oxford; and the appointments of the Chief Executives of HEFCE and UUK.

Fiona also has considerable experience of undertaking Non-Executive and Chair appointments in both the private and public sectors.  Recent examples include assisting Loughborough University, Keele University and University of Bedfordshire with their appointments of Chair of Council.

Susie is a Research Associate at Perrett Laver, having previously been a Senior Project Manager across Perrett Laver’s Higher Education and Non-Profit practices. During her time with the firm, Susie has worked on a broad range of assignments in Europe and Asia Pacific, including a number of Vice-Chancellor and other senior higher education appointments as well as numerous senior executive level and board appointments for organisations such as Amnesty International, Oxfam and Prostate Cancer UK. Recent clients include University College London, the University of Birmingham, Murdoch University, RMIT University Vietnam and the University of Sydney.

Susie holds a BA (Joint Hons) in Politics and French from the University of Bristol. She speaks fluent French and conversational Japanese.

Gareth is a Senior Consultant at Perrett Laver. He has significant experience of senior executive level and professorial appointments across higher education. Gareth spent the end of 2012 on secondment to our Sydney office where he worked with clients across Australia, returning throughout 2013 to support our team. Gareth works extensively in Higher Education globally and has recently advised Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, RMIT University, the University of Sydney and Murdoch University in Western Australia, the latter on a programme of nine appointments, including seven Deans. He is also engaged on a number of Chair/Professor searches with the University of Manchester, in the School of Chemistry and the Faculty of Medical Sciences, and the University of Adelaide in the Faculty of Engineering.

Gareth holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford, having studied as a mature student at Harris Manchester College. He has previously worked for HSBC and the University of Oxford.

David is a Principal Consultant at Perrett Laver and heads the Global Chairs & Professors practice which finds leading research academics for the world’s top universities. He joined Perrett Laver in 2009 and has worked on a wide range of senior appointments in higher education and associated sectors, advising on the appointment of numerous Vice-Chancellors/Presidents, PVCs/Vice-Presidents, Deans of Faculty, and professional service Directors for universities across the world.  He has led both the development of the Global Chairs & Professors practice, which currently serves clients in the US, South Africa, the UK and Continental Europe, the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland PRC, and Australasia, and also Perrett Laver’s rapidly growing work in China and Hong Kong.

David has a first class honours degree from Keble College, Oxford and a PhD from Selwyn College, Cambridge. He started his career teaching in Nigeria for three years and before joining Perrett Laver had served as a minister of a church and as a theological college lecturer. He has published two books as well as numerous book chapters, articles, and reviews.

Lucy Hayes is a Senior Consultant at Perrett Laver and leads our Schools Practice. She has advised on a senior leadership searches for a wide range of independent schools, academies, educational charities, and schools groups both in the UK and overseas.

Lucy has worked extensively across the independent sector and has advised on searches for Heads, Heads of Prep and Pre-Prep Schools and Bursars. In the UK, her recent experience includes the appointments of the Managing Director (Independent Schools) at United Learning, the Principal of Harrogate Ladies’ College and the Head of Grimsdell, Mill Hill Pre-Prep School. She has handled the searches for the Heads of Epsom College and Canford School, and has advised on the appointment of a new Bursar for the Royal Grammar School Guildford. Internationally, Lucy is currently working with the Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), one of Australia’s preeminent boys’ schools on the appointment of a new Head, and she recently concluded the search for the Heads of two new independent schools in Zambia.

Her experience of the state sector is equally wide ranging. She has recently advised Reading School on the search for a new Principal and has supported academy groups including United Learning and the Creative Education Academies Trust on senior leadership appointments.

Beyond this, Lucy has supported a wide range of national educational organisations on senior leadership appointments. She is currently working with the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to appoint a new Chief Executive, and has previously advised United Learning, UCAS, Inspiring Futures, STEMNET and MyScience.co on similar appointments.

Lucy holds a degree in Modern History from the University of Oxford.

Alexandra Henson is a Senior Project Manager at Perrett Laver working within the Global Chairs & Professors practice and is charged with providing support and advice to clients, candidates and colleagues throughout the executive search process, upholding the highest quality of care and delivery at all times. Her experience at Perrett Laver includes working on senior executive level appointments across Higher Education as well as a number of multiple chair campaigns for client institutions in the UK, Russia, Hong Kong and mainland PRC.

Alexandra holds a double BA (cum laude) in Anthropology and Italian Language from the University of Rhode Island and is a Freeman of the City of London. Prior to joining Perrett Laver she worked at the global search and selection firm, Michael Page International, and before that instructed Business English courses at Merck Serono and Universidad Technologica Nacional in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Erik is a Senior Consultant at Perrett Laver and has worked on a wide array of senior executive and board appointments in a range of sectors. In higher education, recent clients include twelve Russell Group institutions, such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Leeds and the University of Manchester, as well as a wide range of Scottish institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee and the University of the West of Scotland. In the health sector, he has advised on Board level appointments for NHS Trusts as well as leadership appointments in several medical research centres. He has also worked with international not-for-profit clients, such as WorldVision and WWF.

Erik holds an MSt in History from the University of Oxford and a BA in History from Menlo College in California, where he was class Valedictorian. Before joining the firm, he held the position of Business Development Manager for the international political consulting firm Oxford Analytica.

Sarah is a Consultant at Perrett Laver and has worked on a number of senior executive and board level appointments across the global higher education and health sectors, including most recently the President & Rector and Provost of Imperial College London, the Chairs of Council at Keele University and the University of Leeds, Deputy Vice-Chancellors at a number of institutions including Plymouth University and Roehampton University, and the Chief Executive, three non-executive directors and Chairman of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Sarah holds a BA (Hons) in English and Related Literature from the University of York. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, she worked for an HR consultancy in the account management function and also trained as a career coach.

Nicole Kamaleson is the Principal Consultant of the Global Development Practice and America Regional Office for Perrett Laver. She is an expert in human resources, organisational and board development with strategic as well as tactical global experience. In addition to extensive consulting work, she has held various executive roles with large INGOs. Nicole’s chief responsibility has been directing the global HR function including strategy development and implementation of HR business processes and systems towards the achievement of the corporate objectives.  Nicole has also successfully executed board policy development and governance capacity building across Africa including being the lead developer of World Vision International and Vision Fund International’s global corporate governance guidelines.

Her recent experience in the firm includes the placement of the Chief Executive of International Confederation of Midwives, Executive Director of ODI, Chief Executive of Oxfam GB and Executive Director of Oxfam International, Finance Director of World Vision and Programmes Directors for Mines Advisory Group and Farm Africa.

Nicole holds a BA in Business at the University of Sioux Falls and a Masters of Human Resources Development at Azusa Pacific University in California.  Her work has spanned the globe from the Philippines and Thailand, to Swaziland and Senegal, to Haiti and Honduras and many places in between.  She has lived abroad nearly 20 years in Romania, Kenya, Hungary, England and more recently back to the East Coast of the US.

Simon is one of Perrett Laver’s co-founders. His diverse experience in senior level executive search includes CEO and board-level appointments in higher education, international development, the voluntary sector, life sciences and financial services. Simon has recently advised the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxfam GB and the Wellcome Trust. He previously worked for many years as a senior partner within one of the largest global search groups, where he was Secretariat with responsibility for supporting business development and international growth. He also founded and led the global life sciences practice group.

Simon holds a first class degree from the University of Oxford and an MBA from the London Business School (including a semester at the Tuck School, Dartmouth College). Simon is also an advisor to the University of Oxford’s McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life, and throughout his career has been very active as Chair and Trustee of a number of INGOs.

Gordon is a Consultant in the Global Chairs & Professors Practice. He specialises in finding leading research academics for the world’s top universities and contributing to our growing activity in North America and the Asia Pacific region. Examples of his work include key strategic appointments at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University College London and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, as well as multi-professorial searches for City University London, Lancaster University, University of Leeds and University of Manchester.

Gordon holds a B.A. in Classics and Anthropology from the University of Alberta, an MPhil in Archaeology from the University of Glasgow, a PhD (on the looting and illegal trading of antiquities) from the University of Cambridge (Homerton College) and Corporate Executive Training from the University of Alberta School of Business. He has held research positions at the University of Texas and the University of Westminster and was Collections Management Advisor at the University of Alberta. He also brings government experience from the UK and Canada where he managed a socio-economic evaluation team and received a Premier’s Award for outstanding client services.

Gordon is an Associate Scholar on the Intellectual Property in Cultural Heritage Project.

Matthew is a Senior Research Associate at Perrett Laver. His experience at Perrett Laver includes working on senior executive level and board appointments for organisations across the Higher Education and Global Health sectors. Examples include Cambridge University Health Partners, Imperial College London, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Wellcome Trust, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. He currently jointly leads the Research Team across the company, and sits on the firm’s Corporate and Social Responsibility Team.

Matthew holds a BA (Hons) in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge. He previously worked at the BBC as a Researcher for Factual Television Documentaries.

Alison is a Project Manager at Perrett Laver Australia and is charged with supporting candidates, clients, and colleagues to ensure the highest quality of care throughout the executive search process. Her experience at Perrett Laver includes working on a number of senior executive level appointments as well as a number of chair roles in the Higher Education.  Alison has supported institutions including the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Wollongong, the Australian Technology Network, RMIT Vietnam, and Murdoch University.

Alison holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Sydney.  Prior to joining Perrett Laver she led the Sydney University Musical Society as its President.  During that time she also worked as a tutor in Mathematics, and has a keen interest in new technologies and their application to both individuals and organisations.

Arabella is a Consultant at Perrett Laver. Her experience at Perrett Laver includes senior executive level and board appointments across higher education, global development, healthcare, schools and the non-profit sector. She has recently advised the University of Sussex, University of Leeds, Oxfam GB, UNICEF UK, HelpAge International and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In addition, Arabella has advised the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the David Ross Education Trust and the Mary Ward Settlement.

Arabella holds a MA (Hons) in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She has a keen interest in Psychology having completed a PG Dip at the Institute of Education, University of London. Arabella previously worked as an Event Manager at Rouge-Events before joining Perrett Laver.

Dan is one of Perrett Laver's co-founders. His areas of expertise are senior level executive search, primarily CEO and Board-level appointments, in the education, healthcare, not for profit and private equity sectors. Prior to co-founding Perrett Laver, he worked for many years as a senior partner within one of the largest global search groups, and also spent a year as Chief Operating Officer leading the recruitment, human resources and resource management functions of a client organisation.

Dan has recently advised the London School of Economics, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and WWF on leadership searches.

Dan holds a first class honours degree and an MPhil in Economics and Politics of Development, both from the University of Cambridge, where he was a member of Jesus College. A Cambridge University rugby blue, Dan played first class rugby for a number of years and represented Cambridge, Oxbridge, Rosslyn Park and Surrey.

Dan is a member of the Governing Body of the Guildford High School for Girls; a member of the Local Governing Body of Lambeth Academy; and an Ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK.

Patrick is a Researcher at Perrett Laver and Head of Knowledge Management for the company. He has worked with a wide range of organisations, from the British Film Institute to Crossrail, as well as with Perrett Laver’s Board practice on appointments such as the Chair of Council at the University of Leeds. More recently he has supported Tate in their search for a new Director of Collection Care, the University of Portsmouth in the appointment of a Dean for their Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries and the British Council on the appointment of a Director of Education for the Middle East and North Africa.

Before joining Perrett Laver, Patrick worked as a Programme Assistant for Electoral Reform International Services, as an Actor and also completed an internship with New Philanthropy Capital, the charity consultancy and think tank. He holds a BA (Hons) in History from the University of York and an MPhil in the History, Philosophy and Sociology of Science from the University of Cambridge.

Robin is a Senior Research Associate at Perrett Laver. Robin works in the Global Higher Education Practice on senior academic leadership and university administrative appointments with a range of international and UK higher education institutions. Examples include the Deans of Faculties at the University of Melbourne, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Murdoch University in Western Australia, City University London and Heads of Departments at the University of Liverpool’s joint-venture in China, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool and the University of Surrey, and the Chief Administrative Officer at the University of Wollongong. Robin also has experience as a Senior Research Associate at the Global Chairs & Professors Practice, where he has worked on chair and senior professorial appointments with a range of research universities globally, including the University of Sydney, University of Leeds, and Queen’s University Belfast. He undertook a secondment between 2012 and 2013 at the Sydney Office to help expand Perrett Laver’s Asia Pacific operations.

Robin holds a BA (Hons) and an MA in Philosophy from Durham University and is fluent in Cantonese and has conversational Mandarin. Robin previously worked as a Teacher in his native Hong Kong, before joining Perrett Laver as a Research Associate.

Jill is a Senior Consultant at Perrett Laver and leads the firm’s UK non-profit practice. She has advised on Chair, Trustee, Chief Executive and executive team searches across the social sector.  She recently supported the MS Society and British Heart Foundation on their Chief Executive appointments as well as key executive leadership roles for Macmillan Cancer Support, Diabetes UK and CfBT Education Trust. She is passionate about supporting not-for-profit organisations enhance their governance structures and has worked on trustee appointments for Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Raleigh International, Prostate Cancer UK and Royal Voluntary Service.  Jill regularly works alongside other Perrett Laver practices such as Health & Social Care, via the firm’s strong track record working with medical research charities, and Global Development & Foundations with non-profits operating in the UK such as Christian Aid, British Red Cross and UNICEF UK.  She was also responsible for Perrett Laver’s work with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Jill is a member of the company’s Corporate Responsibility Team and organises employee volunteering across the firm.  Jill holds an MA in International Relations from the University of St Andrews. She has lived and worked in Japan and spent her early career in the UK charity sector. She is a trustee of Business Launchpad.

Thomas Weinberg is a Consultant at Perrett Laver. He has advised on a broad range of senior executive and board-level appointments across higher education, non-profit and private sectors. Within higher education he has advised upon senior appointments at the Universities of London, Manchester, Westminster, Cardiff University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. In the non-profit sector he has advised Transparency International, MAG, Farm Africa, SNV, the Wellcome Trust, Amnesty International and the WWF/Luc Hoffmann Institute.

Tom holds an MA (Hons) in Ancient History and Classical Archaeology from the University of Edinburgh and is a FGASA qualified ranger. Prior to joining Perrett Laver he worked at creative agencies in the communications industry for clients including Virgin, Premier Foods and major government accounts including the Department of Health.

Siobhan Wesley is a Consultant in the Global Chairs & Professors Practice at Perrett Laver. She holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages (Russian and French) from Durham University and an MA in Film Studies from University College London. Siobhan began her career interpreting between Russian, French and English for a Refugee Centre in South France, after which she moved to London to join Perrett Laver. During her time at Perrett Laver Siobhan has conducted a wide range of successful global searches in academia, from chairs to cross-university leadership positions. Leading on Equality and Diversity for the firm, she is passionate about our sector’s potential to enhance the diversity of perspectives represented in key leadership positions across the globe.

Zara is a Senior Consultant at Perrett Laver with an extensive track record of assignments with a number of partner institutions within higher education. She has advised upon Vice-Chancellor appointments for the Universities of Plymouth and Northumbria, and upon a multitude of senior academic and non-academic leadership posts for institutions across the UK and overseas, including Universities of Oxford, Surrey, Heriot-Watt, University College London, Trinity College Dublin, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

Zara also leads Perrett Laver’s Arts, Heritage and Foundations Practice, and has led on various searches for Director-level and Non-Executive posts for organisations including the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Royal Photographic Society, Greenbelt Festivals, the National Marine Aquarium, and the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Zara holds a degree in Music from the University of Oxford and is currently working towards obtaining a degree in Psychology. Prior to joining Perrett Laver she was a Commercial Marketing Executive with WH Smith.