Our People

Arshya is a Research Associate in the Global Higher Education practice. 

Arshya holds an MSc in Organisational Psychiatry and Psychology from King's College London. Before joining Perrett Laver, she was a Research Assistant at London Business School, where her research focused on mindsets and role-modelling in individuals from underrepresented groups. She has also conducted research on areas such as work engagement, resilience, growth mindset, post-traumatic stress & growth.

She is fluent in English and Hindi. 

Beth is the Office Manager and Front of House at Perrett Laver. She is charged with maintaining daily office procedures, welcoming clients and candidates, and the management of the meeting room diaries. Beth has 5 years’ experience in office administration and worked previously as the Administrator of a Primary School.

Beth holds a First Class Honours degree in English and Modern Languages (French) from Magdalen College, Oxford, and was the recipient of the Doncaster Prize for Modern Languages at the college in 2013. She speaks fluent French and conversational Spanish, and she is also an accomplished pianist to ABRSM Diploma level.

Cecily is a Project Manager for Perrett Laver.

She provides support for the clients, candidates, and colleagues in the Higher Education practice throughout the executive search process.

Cecily holds a BA (Hons) degree in History from the University in Manchester and a Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of Law. Cecily has over two years previous experience in the Civil Service working for the Department for Education and the Government Legal Department.

Danielle is a Principal Researcher in the Global Higher Education practice.

She holds a BA in History and English from Westmont College, an MA in History from the University of Toronto, an MSt in Jewish Studies from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in History from Rutgers University. Her academic research focussed on Holocaust survivors and refugees in Displaced Persons Camps across Italy. She speaks conversational Italian and Yiddish and has a basic reading knowledge of French and Spanish.

Dong is a Consultant at Perrett Laver.

Her experience of senior level executive search includes Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in higher education and research globally.

Dong holds a PhD in Urban Studies from King’s College London and a master’s degree in Social Research Methods, with a specialisation in migration, in Durham University. Dong’s academic interests centre on social mobility, urban development and smart cities. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, she worked as a Post-doctoral Researcher in Smart Cities at University of Exeter.

Ellen is a researcher in the Global Higher Education Practice.

Ellen holds a MA in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS, being awarded Best Dissertation; and a BA (Hons) in Politics and International Relations from Loughborough University. Her research focused on US foreign policy in Libya, and how the use of weapons in conflict impacts rates of gender-based violence against women.

Ellen is an activist and is the current Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for People & Planet, the UK’s largest student activist network. She is particularly passionate about feminism, mental health and environmentalism, and the use of direct action to drive systemic change.

Emma is a Senior Research Associate at Perrett Laver.

She holds First Class Honours in Law from the University of Manchester with an academic interest in policy surrounding race and gender-based violence.

Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Emma previously worked in operations at a recruitment firm and as a teaching and learning associate.

Isaac is a Research Associate in the Global Higher Education practice, specialising in Education roles in the South East.

Prior to joining Perrett Laver he was a student, and he holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Cambridge. During his time at Cambridge he was an editor at The Cambridge Student, and frequent contributor to a range of student publications.

He has also worked as a columnist for Impakter, a publication focused on sustainability.

Jaanvi is a Research Associate at Perrett Laver. 

She holds a BSc in International Development and a DipHE in Pharmacy from The University of Reading with an academic interest in policy development and governance.

She speaks English and Gujarati and conversational Spanish, Swahili and Hindi. As well as, Jaanvi has experience working for UK and International NGOs. 

James is a Senior Research Associate in the the Global Higher Education Practice. 

His executive search experience includes professional services, fundraising, research, and academic leadership across a range of higher education and research institutions.

James holds a BA in Human Geography from Cardiff University, having specialised in international politics, energy systems, and race and gender studies. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, he worked at a London based building maintenance company, operating in routine maintenance and company finance.

James McSean is a Senior Consultant in the Higher Education Practice

James joined Perrett Laver from Queen Mary University of London, where he was Head of the Principal’s Office, supporting the senior executive of the University and leading the executive support team. Prior to that James spent ten years at Imperial College London across a variety of roles, including five years providing high-level support and policy advice to the Provost.

James holds a BA degree in History from the University of Cambridge.

James is a Consultant in the UK Higher Education Practice. 

Starting his career in teaching, his experience of senior level executive search includes appointing senior leaders across not-for-profit, public institutions, health and higher education environments within professional services, academic services and non-executive boards. His clients have included the University of Bristol, Queen Mary University of London, University of Essex, University of Law and cross-sector organisations such as Barts Life Sciences.

James holds a BA in Geography from the University of Birmingham and a PGCE from the University of Cambridge.

Lucy is a Consultant in the Global Higher Education practice.

She studied English Literature at the University of Edinburgh.

Matt is a Research Associate. 

Matt recently graduated from Sussex University achieving a 2:1 in Economics Bsc. He has a strong passion for sustainability with a focus on environmental economics. Motivated by the Higher Education sector, he enjoys being able to work alongside this sector.

Sanjana is a Research Associate in the Global Higher Education Practice.

Sanjana holds an MA in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS, University of London and has a background in Economics. Prior to joining Perrett Laver she was working with the Middle East Treaty Organisation in the capacity of a researcher for policy and advocacy. Her areas of expertise and specialisation include global affairs, public policy and international economics.

Simon is a Principal Project Manager.

He is part of our Global Higher Education Team and works across several of our client and candidate processes and the wider firm. He is charged with providing support and advice to clients, candidates and colleagues throughout the executive search process.

Simon holds a BA Criminology and Sociology degree from Manchester Metropolitan University. Prior to joining Perrett Laver Simon was a research analyst for a professional services firm in London, working with organisations across the third, private, and public sectors to help them achieve impact in their field.

He speaks conversational Hebrew.

Sukhpal Uppal is a Consultant in the Global Higher Education practice.

His senior level executive search experience covers a range of appointments across governance, communications, marketing, human resources, and academic and research leadership. This includes a number of Vice-Chancellor appointments at, among others, Durham University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Birmingham.

Sukhpal holds a First Class Honours degree in French and Spanish from University College London and speaks fluent French and Spanish.

Thivya is a Project Manager, working across all sectors of the company.

Her role includes supporting the Project Management Team with various aspects of the executive search process, upholding the highest quality of care and delivery at all times.

Thivya studied BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary’s University of London. Thivya is fluent in Tamil and English.

Tom is a Principal Research Associate in the Higher Education Practice.

Tom holds a BA (Hons) degree in History and an MSc with distinction in International Security & Risk from the University of Southampton.

Tom has previously worked in the Law & Education faculty at the University of Southampton and has also worked as an Honorary Clinical Teaching Fellow at University College London, helping to conduct project research for the Interventional Medicine and Surgical department.

Urvashi is a Senior Research Associate.

Her experience of senior level executive search includes Chair and Professorial appointments globally in higher education and research.

She holds a BSc in Biology from the University of British Columbia, and an MSc and a PhD in Tropical Medicine and Parasitology from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.  Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Urvashi was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, USA investigating the role of mosquito immunity and its relevance to malaria.

Xavier is a Research Associate in the Global Higher Education practice.

Prior to working at Perrett Laver, he worked at legal recruitment firm, headhunting lawyers across the City. He has also interned at Mind HK -Hong Kong’s affiliate of Mind, and Community Business - Hong Kong’s leading CSR not for profit.

Xavier holds a BA in Philosophy from University College London, where his dissertation focused on the Liar’s Paradox.

Xavier is a native speaker of French and English, and studied Italian and Spanish to a conversational level.