Howgate Sable - Specialist Independent Executive Search Consultancy with an International Reach

The boutique advantage in executive search: how Howgate Sable supports businesses

Hiring the right executive talent is more challenging than ever. With a growing skills gap, rapid technological advancements, and fierce competition for top leaders, businesses need more than just a solution-provider, they need a trusted partner. We sat down with...

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2025 – the year of rebirth for interim management

Natasha Cleeve runs the interim executive search practice at Howgate Sable. An interim expert, she has spent her entire career in the search market specialising in interim management. We sat down with Natasha to discuss the specific challenges and opportunities...

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A new era for Howgate Sable

We are delighted to reintroduce the 38-year-old executive search firm Howgate Sable, which will continue its mission of ‘delivering talent, enabling change’ as it works to support businesses around the world. Under the guidance of Neil Humphreys, the firm will...

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The vital role the CISO has to play in the boardroom

A version of this article first appeared on The Stack, the online newspaper for digital leaders By Rebecca Hopkinson The boardroom has a skills shortage – and it’s in the shape of exceptional CISOs. The cyber skills shortage is rapidly...

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A Q&A with our cybersecurity and risk advisor, Andy Watkin-Child

Andy Watkin-Child is an internationally renowned cybersecurity and risk expert, who acts as our advisor of cybersecurity and risk. A 20-year veteran of cyber security, risk management and technology, Andy has held international leadership positions in first and second lines...

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Howgate Sable extends into cyber security and risk

Howgate Sable has expanded into global cyber security and risk with the appointment of a renowned expert to advise its clients on their cyber approach and offer training where needed. Cyber expert Andy Watkin-Child has joined the firm as an...

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The power of research in executive search

Executive search is a highly specialised area of recruitment that relies on experience and connections to find and attract highly skilled senior people to new roles. At Howgate Sable, we have excelled in this field for more than 30 years,...

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The infrastructure landscape is ripe with opportunity

The vast scope for fund investment hasn’t been dampened by coronavirus. As we begin to exit the uncertainty of the last year or so, funds are actively looking for the right opportunity — and there is plenty to be...

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Get on the ground, roll your sleeves up and get the job done — how to lead from the ground up

Leading by example is an oft-touted catchphrase and you’d be forgiven for considering it management speak. But, as we hear from our latest interviewee Jason Holt, leading well is about developing a true and lasting relationship with your people to...

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From RAF Pilot to TV Producer, how career pivoting can be a resounding success…

By Nick Irving, partner Over my years working within the aviation industry, I’ve had the pleasure in meeting some interesting people. In our series of interviews, we wanted to talk to people who have great careers and fascinating stories to...

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The view from a non-exec: how to tackle business uncertainty for success

Non-execs provide an invaluable source of advice, cross-sector input and experience to executive boards. The role of a NED is to provide independent oversight and constructive challenge to the Executive Directors of a business; they are an important part of...

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‘The anatomy of successful people’ – board advisor, mentor, investor and podcast host, Jeannette Linfoot, shares her secrets for success

Jeannette Linfoot knows the meaning of success. Hugely successful in her own right, she has had executive board roles at Thomas Cook, First Choice, TUI and Saga – where she was CEO of the PLC’s tour operating division. It’s through...

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“Integrity and Trust have to be higher up a company’s values nowadays” says Jonathan Brown, chairman of law firm Hill Dickinson

Jonathan Brown, from law firm Hill Dickinson, lifts the lid on navigating a pandemic from the helm of one of the UK’s leading legal firms Jonathan is the non-executive Chair of Hill Dickinson LLP and a fee earner in the...

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Working in the travel industry for 30 years, I thought I’d seen it all!” Chris Browne tells us her views on the pandemic, diversity and the future for business

Continuing our series interviewing some of the brightest minds and successful people in the UK, Howgate Sable partner, Nick Irving, chatted to Chris Browne OBE. Chris was COO and MD of TUI, where she orchestrated the successful merger of First...

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Protecting employees’ mental health – a must-do not a should-do

Mental health – we all have it. It encompasses our overall functioning and psychological wellbeing, including our ability to cope with positive and negative emotions in every aspect of our lives. Until relatively recently, though, the subject of mental wellbeing...

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Why living your values is so vital for corporate success

By Chris Green, partner Values make or break a company’s success. It’s a bold statement, but one that I hold true. Without true internalised values, I don’t believe that a person can incisively see through the noise to the crux...

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Remote Control – who’s responsible for managing a post-pandemic remote workforce?

The outbreak of COVID-19 triggered a global work-from-home experiment practically overnight. Initially, the roll-out of remote working was a concern for many corporates – a fifth, according to Hitatchi Capital Business Finance – but as the weeks have waged into...

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Is there a golden bullet for corporate leadership in uncertainty?

Effective leadership is vital for making a strong business — but it has never been more important than it is today. The covid-19 outbreak has tested organisations all over the globe and tragically we’ve already seen businesses fall victim to...

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The Budget – Our Thoughts

What an interesting Budget; the Chancellor seemed very comfortable with his delivery. We’re all pleased the response to the current Covid-19 outbreak is proportionate. Let’s hope the worst-case scenario doesn’t happen and businesses are not going to be destroyed through this global crisis. But we also wanted to comment on...

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Finding the right excom leaders in transport

By Chris Green, aviation and transportation practice, Howgate Sable Finding the right leader for the business is vital in any sector. It’s imperative that every member of the executive committee is a perfect fit and works together to achieve success,...

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Why does digital fall on deaf ears within the boardroom? The cost of digital-illiteracy with Neil Humphreys and Suzanne Jozefowicz

When I started my career in search, ‘digital’ wasn’t a term I encountered. Over the years that followed, society gradually became more digitally literate before digital erupted into a power that impacts our lives daily, makes or breaks businesses and...

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Howgate Sable takes on new technology partner to propel future growth

Executive search firm Howgate Sable has announced a new partnership with Not Actively Looking (NAL) – the candidate management and executive search software company. The Not Actively Looking platform allows c-suite executives to self-manage their own profiles, as well as...

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Doing business in China: what you need to know

Doing business in China is a world away from what many western businesses are used to. But, as the Chinese economy is growing steadily, it’s a territory that should be ignored at your peril. Boasting the world’s second largest economy...

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The Indian question: what’s the business opportunity?

Once known as the jewel in the crown of the British Empire – and now a vital part of the Commonwealth – India has long been an important ally and partner for the UK. While it’s been over 70 years...

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From the Navy to headhunting – meet Chris Green

Chris Green recently joined the Manchester team here at Howgate Sable and will join partners Neil Humphreys and Nick Irving in delivering a broad range of projects across our EMI and aviation practice groups. Bringing impressive experience sourcing high-level candidates...

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Doing business ‘Down Under’: an eye on Australia

Australia has long been a loyal brother of the UK, both in terms of business and culture. This close alignment is reflected in the fact that Australia is the most popular destination for British expats. Over 43,000 Brits head ‘down...

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Tips for a successful organisation redesign

Redesigning an organisation is a minefield. Get it right and you will reap the benefits in increased productivity, reduced wastage and a more engaged workforce. Conversely, however, getting it wrong can be disastrous. In this, the third of our series...

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New Health Secretary sets out vision for the NHS

Mark Iliffe, partner Jeremy Hunt may have been the longest serving Health Secretary in UK political history, but he won’t go down as the most popular, particularly with many of those working within the NHS. However, now he has finally...

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The return of the corporate raider

Neil Humphreys, partner It’s official: the corporate raider is back en vogue. A controversial phenomenon that was widely considered to be a relic of the 1980s along with the mullet and Smash has made its way into the modern business...

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Assessing your operating model: what’s right for your business?

The second in our series of blog posts exploring organisation design looks at how to identify the right operating model for your business. Based on a seminar delivered by business consultant Mark LaScola, in partnership with Hill Dickinson, this blog...

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Executing the inevitable – my take on the Sainsbury’s / Asda merger

Nick Irving, retail partner When news broke that Sainsbury’s and Asda were preparing a merger, many journalists and commentators were taken aback. Naturally, the story made headlines and the media scrambled to try and unpick the messages – just what...

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Organisation design: When to modernise your operating model

We recently held a fascinating seminar on organisation design with renowned business consultant Mark LaScola, in partnership with Hill Dickinson, and wanted to share the key takeaways in a series of blog posts. This first one looks at what organisation...

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Can the private sector be good for your health?

The NHS dominates the provision and delivery of healthcare in England, but a significant under utilised resource exists in the form of the private healthcare sector. Some may wince at the thought of a publicly funded system potentially working in...

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Changing the mindset on Brazil

As the home of the world’s eighth largest economy, Brazil continues to be a globally important territory for many businesses. Identified as a rapidly advancing ‘tiger’ country by economist Jim McNeill, Brazil joined Russia, India and China as the ‘ones...

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Should you look outside your sector for talent?

When it comes to hiring a new member of the board, there’s long been the question of whether to focus more on a candidate’s knowledge of and experience within the sector, or their unique talent, skills and abilities. It seems...

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Q&A with partner Neil Humphreys

What’s your background and how did you come to work at Howgate Sable? Having toyed with the thought of joining the RAF at 18, I decided to go to university to study Organisation and Management. After working on a lean...

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Q&A with new partner Mark Iliffe

What’s your background, how long have you worked in the industry and how did you come to work at Howgate Sable? I began my career in recruitment at Michael Page in 1997 and remember it being the exact week that...

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Executive search: what’s the value?

Although the unacquainted person may assume that ‘executive search partner’ is just a sophisticated name for a recruiter, the term is certainly not made up for effect or to make us feel superior – what it involves is a wholly...

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How to use communications to effectively handle a crisis

No matter where the headquarters are, how many people are employed there or which industry it falls under, all companies will experience a form of crisis at some point – from a product recall to employee lawsuits, anything is possible....

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The reign is over: Monarch’s collapse

One week on from the announcement that Monarch Airlines had run out of runway and was entering administration, we thought we’d take a look back at the company’s spectacular take-off, how it fell from grace and what it means for...

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Q&A with associate partner Rebecca Hopkinson

What’s your background and how did you come to work at Howgate Sable? I have always been in sales-related roles, beginning with selling mobile phones during my three years at Salford University, where I did a degree in Business Information...

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Q&A with Alison Sharman

Alison Sharman is director of finance and support services at Howgate Sable. 1. What’s your background and how did you come to work at Howgate Sable? I read Maths at Oxford and then went on to train as a chartered...

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Q&A with partner Nick Irving

1. What’s your background and how did you come to work at Howgate Sable? After graduating from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Geography, specifically volcanology, I joined a graduate scheme at a major supermarket group. I’d worked...

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Thomas Cook Flight Training Experience

Recently I was fortunate enough to spend some time at Thomas Cook’s flight training centre in south Manchester. The purpose of the visit was twofold; to catch up with a friend of mine, Captain Clive Richardson who is the General...

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Supplier Development, a Critical Path

Supplier Development, a Critical Path I recently conducted a survey of attitudes and opinions within a group of Senior SQA (Supplier Quality Assurance) Executives. Having worked on several assignments in this space in the last 18 months, it was clear...

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Emotional Intelligence – practical implications, the search consultants view

In my day job, I am genuinely fortunate to meet all manner of people, it truly is one of the great joys of this profession that you get to meet some key movers and shakers. So given that on a...

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LONDON / MANCHESTER / DALLAS / ZURICH

Delivering Talent, Enabling Change

Delivering Talent, Enabling Change

Cybersecurity

Infrastructure

Aviation & Transportation

Supply Chain & Industrial

Consumer

Nick Irving

Pauline McGuirk

Natasha Cleeve

Mark Iliffe

Marie-Caroline von Ledebur

Rebecca Hopkinson

Neil Humphreys

The boutique advantage in executive search: how Howgate Sable supports businesses

2025 – the year of rebirth for interim management

A new era for Howgate Sable

The vital role the CISO has to play in the boardroom

A Q&A with our cybersecurity and risk advisor, Andy Watkin-Child

Howgate Sable extends into cyber security and risk

The power of research in executive search

The infrastructure landscape is ripe with opportunity

Get on the ground, roll your sleeves up and get the job done — how to lead from the ground up

From RAF Pilot to TV Producer, how career pivoting can be a resounding success…

The view from a non-exec: how to tackle business uncertainty for success

‘The anatomy of successful people’ – board advisor, mentor, investor and podcast host, Jeannette Linfoot, shares her secrets for success

“Integrity and Trust have to be higher up a company’s values nowadays” says Jonathan Brown, chairman of law firm Hill Dickinson

Working in the travel industry for 30 years, I thought I’d seen it all!” Chris Browne tells us her views on the pandemic, diversity and the future for business

Protecting employees’ mental health – a must-do not a should-do

Why living your values is so vital for corporate success

Remote Control – who’s responsible for managing a post-pandemic remote workforce?

Is there a golden bullet for corporate leadership in uncertainty?

The Budget – Our Thoughts

Finding the right excom leaders in transport

Why does digital fall on deaf ears within the boardroom? The cost of digital-illiteracy with Neil Humphreys and Suzanne Jozefowicz

Howgate Sable takes on new technology partner to propel future growth

Doing business in China: what you need to know

The Indian question: what’s the business opportunity?

From the Navy to headhunting – meet Chris Green

Doing business ‘Down Under’: an eye on Australia

Tips for a successful organisation redesign

New Health Secretary sets out vision for the NHS

The return of the corporate raider

Assessing your operating model: what’s right for your business?

Executing the inevitable – my take on the Sainsbury’s / Asda merger

Organisation design: When to modernise your operating model

Can the private sector be good for your health?

Changing the mindset on Brazil

Should you look outside your sector for talent?

Q&A with partner Neil Humphreys

Q&A with new partner Mark Iliffe

Executive search: what’s the value?

How to use communications to effectively handle a crisis

The reign is over: Monarch’s collapse

Q&A with associate partner Rebecca Hopkinson

Q&A with Alison Sharman

Q&A with partner Nick Irving

Thomas Cook Flight Training Experience

Supplier Development, a Critical Path

Emotional Intelligence – practical implications, the search consultants view

The boutique advantage in executive search: how Howgate Sable supports businesses

2025 – the year of rebirth for interim management

A new era for Howgate Sable

The vital role the CISO has to play in the boardroom

A Q&A with our cybersecurity and risk advisor, Andy Watkin-Child

Howgate Sable extends into cyber security and risk

The power of research in executive search

The infrastructure landscape is ripe with opportunity

Get on the ground, roll your sleeves up and get the job done — how to lead from the ground up

From RAF Pilot to TV Producer, how career pivoting can be a resounding success…

The view from a non-exec: how to tackle business uncertainty for success

‘The anatomy of successful people’ – board advisor, mentor, investor and podcast host, Jeannette Linfoot, shares her secrets for success

“Integrity and Trust have to be higher up a company’s values nowadays” says Jonathan Brown, chairman of law firm Hill Dickinson

Working in the travel industry for 30 years, I thought I’d seen it all!” Chris Browne tells us her views on the pandemic, diversity and the future for business

Protecting employees’ mental health – a must-do not a should-do

Why living your values is so vital for corporate success

Remote Control – who’s responsible for managing a post-pandemic remote workforce?

Is there a golden bullet for corporate leadership in uncertainty?

The Budget – Our Thoughts