Perrett Laver is one of the leading executive search firms working towards a better society through our Social Impact and Environment sectors. We believe passionately in the wider transformative benefits and value that organisations within these sectors bring. We are deeply committed to advising organisations that promote change and demonstrate impact in these areas.
We advise humanitarian and development NGOs, domestic voluntary and community organisations, environment and sustainability organisations, philanthropic foundations, research institutes and think tanks, governments and international institutions, as well as impact investors and social enterprise organisations on world-class appointments. We have a deep passion for the outcomes and impact our clients and candidates deliver in society and for the planet.
Our mission is to identify and engage with inspiring and diverse leaders who will lead organisations as they find solutions and tackle the challenges facing communities and ecosystems. We provide outstanding executive search and professional leadership advice and support, based upon a deep understanding of the sectors we serve, the contexts in which we operate, and by taking both a global and local approach, and with a deep commitment to diversity in all its forms. By attracting and retaining the very best talent, our clients can foster a culture and set of behaviours which ultimately enhance their ability to live their values and deliver on their mission.
Perrett Laver is the leading executive search firm serving the INGO sector. We have significant expertise in working to identify leaders who can move on a global (commonly South-North, South-South) and often cross-sectoral basis and have been privileged to work with many of the leading and innovative organisations working across the sector on both non-executive and executive level roles.
We also focus on domestic non-profit sectors around the globe and our experience and expertise in these span the full gamut of senior management team portfolios alongside Chair, Trustee, and Chief Executive-level appointments for small, entrepreneurial, founder-led organisations to the largest charitable funders. In the UK, for example, we have worked with around one third of the top 154 charity brands to date.
Perrett Laver has significant experience in advising philanthropic organizations whose desire is to promote the well-being of others as expressed financially through the generation donation of individuals, communities and corporations. These organizations are promoting ideas, events or actions that aspire to create conditions for people to thrive or underserved causes to be address.
The sustainability spectrum is broad and Perrett Laver has covered a number of roles across the sector. This spectrum covers organizations like, Green Climate Fund as the funding instrument for the UN Framework on the Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Environmental Defense Fund who are working on sustainability issues that protect the indigenous communities' way of life, WorldFish on sustainable food security, to Greenpeace International who is campaigning on the negative effects of global environmental and climate change on society.
We also have been involved in the leadership of environmental and climate think-tanks through the public private partnership organization entitled, Climate-KIC (knowledge information centre). We also have worked in the ESG standards for the private sector to show compliance with sustainability standards through our work with the Global Reporting Initiative.
The flows of capital have changed the way the world does and seeks to do business. Through a social conscious awakening of responsible investing, investors are creating more demand for investments with a "triple bottom-line" including social, environmental and financial returns. These investments are not new but have recently been coined with the term, impact investing.
Perrett Laver has been on the ground floor in advising organizations including Big Society Capital, Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), VisionFund International, Oikocredit Coop and Gary Community Investments in their pivotal roles as the field of impact investing and social enterprise grows.
Perrett Laver has a significant track record of supporting research institutes and think tanks around the world. Our work with think tanks and research institutes covers a full breadth of functions and topics such as social policy, economics, international development, environment and sustainability, technology, and culture.
Through all our work with this sector, including senior appointments for IDS, ODI, APHRC and WorldFish, we have highlighted the importance of combining both technical expertise and academic credibility with strategic leadership. Of great importance is the ability to sustain and grow these organisations in an incredibly challenging funding and policy environment.
Perrett Laver has a substantial track record of advising Government and International Institutions. During a time of increased demand for efficiencies and increased pressure on economies and infrastructure, we understand the need for exceptional leadership that combines emotional intelligence, operational capacity and strategic vision.
We are experienced in providing advisory and search support for core government departments, non-departmental public bodies and associated organisations, as well as organisations with an international membership, scope, or presence.
As Global Senior Partner, Arabella is responsible for the long-term strategic development of Perrett Laver alongside the acceleration of its commercial growth.
Arabella has been at Perrett Laver for over twelve years and was Global Head of the Social Impact and Environment Practice for 8 years. Arabella scaled and diversified Perrett Laver’s Social Impact and Environment Practice to become one of the leading advisors on leadership recruitment in the sector.
Arabella’s experience at Perrett Laver includes senior Chair, Board and Chief Executive appointments across the Social Impact and Environment Sector. This includes working with INGOs, Foundations, domestic non-profits, the UN, research institutes, social enterprises and at the intersection of the social impact and private sector.
Arabella holds a MA (Hons) in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh and a PG Dip in Psychology at the Institute of Education, University of London.
Erik is a Partner and leads Perrett Laver’s office in San Francisco.
His experience in senior level executive search includes Board, Chief Executive and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in Higher Education and Research, Health and Social Care and Global Non-Profit Practices.
Erik holds BA in History from Menlo College in California, where he was class Valedictorian and an MSt in History from the University of Oxford. Before joining the firm, he held the position of Business Development Manager for the international political consulting firm Oxford Analytica.
Janelle is Managing Partner of our Australian operations and leads our office in Sydney.
Her senior level executive search experience includes Senior Academic and Administrative appointments globally in higher education and research and for organisations across the cultural and sports sector
She holds a Bachelor degree in Social Science and a Master degree in Marketing from The University of Newcastle, and a Master degree in Management from The Australian National University. Janelle has significant experience in strategic marketing and communications, student recruitment, relationship management, events, business development and international relations. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Janelle held senior management roles at the Australian National University and the University of Newcastle and is experienced in sports administration having held the position of General Manager for Netball Tasmania, and has also held senior marketing and communications positions in the mining and not-for-profit sectors. Janelle has travelled extensively, particularly across Asia.
t: +61 (0) 2 6198 3270
Sophia is Partner & Global Practice Head, Social Impact and Environment.
Her experience of senior level executive search includes Board, Chief Executive and Senior Administrative appointments internationally in the Global Non-Profit and Social Impact space.
Sophia holds a BA (Hons) in History from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and an MPhil in International Relations from the University of Oxford. She is also a Trustee of the Margaret Pyke Trust and Population Sustainability Network. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, she worked as Parliamentary Assistant to Lord Skidelsky and on the Secretariat of the Centre for Global Studies.
t: +1 646 853 4435
Jill is Managing Partner, Scotland & Joint Head, Higher Education, UK
Her experience of senior level executive search includes advising on Chair, Trustee, Chief Executive and executive team searches across the Non Profit and Social sector and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in the Higher Education and Research and Global Non-Profit Practices.
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.
t: +44 (0) 7540 914659
Siobhan is Partner, a Regional Practice Head, Social Impact and Environment, Americas.
Her experience of senior level executive search includes Board and Executive appointments in the Global Non-Profit Practice.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics and Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Natasha is a Partner, Climate, Environment & Conservation Lead.
Her experience of senior level executive search includes Board and Executive appointments in the Global Non-Profit and Social Impact Practice.
Natasha holds an MSc in International Relations from the University of Nottingham and has long volunteered for a global youth movement. She leads the practice's work in the environment and sustainability sector and was recently seconded to Clean Air Fund, a start-up philanthropy, to support them on rapid growth.
