Consultant search
Partners
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Amanda Smithson Managing PartnerAmanda Smithsonamanda.smithson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0273London
Amanda is the Managing Partner and a member of the Investment Banking, Private Equity, Board and Executive Assessment practices. She advises on leadership development, team effectiveness and senior appointments across investment banking, private equity and the boardroom. Prior to Blackwood, Amanda worked at Morgan Stanley; she spent ten years in Mergers & Acquisitions in London and New York before becoming COO of the Investment Banking Division EMEA. She is a certified professional executive coach, Meyler Campbell Mastered, AC and WABC accredited and qualified with the British Psychological Society in psychometrics, including Hogan, FIRO-B, NEO PI-R, Wave, G-LJI, LJI, Implicitly®, TKI and MBTI®.
Prior experience: Morgan Stanley
Education: English & Law at Cambridge University
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Martina Ashley PartnerMartina Ashleymartina.ashley@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0277London
Martina is a Partner and member of the Financial Services Practice. She has a particular expertise in moving and building teams and defining the strategy and execution of building new routes to market. She has worked extensively on the firm’s Diversity initiatives and is also an Ambassador for The Diversity Project.
Prior experience: Goldman Sachs
Education: Politics & Philosophy at Bristol University
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Harry Chetwood PartnerHarry Chetwoodharry.chetwood@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0289London
Harry is a Partner and Chair of the Financial Services Practice. He has particular expertise in advising clients on succession planning, strategic reviews and working with start-up groups ahead of launch. Prior to joining Blackwood, Harry worked within search focusing on investment management and corporate finance. He started his career as an Assistant Fund Manager at Smith & Williamson Investment Management. Harry is a Trustee of the Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation and a member of the MCC Nominations Committee.
Prior experience: Smith & Williamson Investment Management
Education: Theology & Anthropology at Durham University
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Joanne Clayton PartnerJoanne Claytonjoanne.clayton@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0297London
Joanne leads the Private Equity Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She advises clients across the sector on their needs within the investment team, IR and operating functions, with a particular specialisation in senior team leaders across new investment strategies and first-time funds. She has worked extensively on the firm’s Social Mobility initiatives.
Prior experience: Freshminds
Education: Modern History at St Andrews University with a year studying History & Political Science in the US
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Annie Doherty PartnerAnnie Dohertyannie.doherty@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0263London
Annie is a Partner and member of the Financial Services Practice. She specialises in advising clients across the liquidity spectrum on their senior leadership needs and strategies. Her diverse client work across asset classes has included senior investment leadership roles as well as CIOs and distribution professionals.
Prior experience: Saxton Bampfylde Hever
Education: Sociology & Law at Durham University
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Maria Henderson PartnerMaria Hendersonmaria.henderson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0282London
Maria leads the Consumer Practice. She has extensive experience advising international clients in all sub-sectors of consumer, included branded fashion and luxury goods.
Prior experience: MBS Group, Korn Ferry, Skill Capital
Education: Latin American Literature & Politics, University College London
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Jonathan Lee PartnerJonathan Leejonathan.lee@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1804London
Jonathan leads the Technology Practice and co-leads the FinTech Practice. He has worked extensively across media, entertainment and technology enablement with a particular focus on the digital optimisation of businesses.
Prior experience: The Zygos Partnership, Russell Reynolds
Education: Sports Science at Durham University
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Richard Marshall PartnerRichard Marshallrichard.marshall@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0260London
Richard leads the Business Services Practice and advises listed, private and private equity-backed businesses across the entirety of business services. He has particular expertise in professional services, technology-enabled services and education.
Prior experience: Astbury Marsden
Education: Geography with International Relations at Plymouth University
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Nigel Lloyd Associate PartnerNigel Lloydnigel.lloyd@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0284London
Nigel is a member of the Private Equity and Investment Banking Practices. He focuses on recruiting senior Investment Banking professionals across M&A, sector coverage and Leveraged Finance. Within Private Equity, he specialises in Investor Relations appointments.
Prior experience: Global executive search firm & Close Brothers (now DC Advisory)
Education: English Literature at University College London
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Shaneen Makhani Associate PartnerShaneen Makhanishaneen.makhani@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0251London
Shaneen is a member of the Private Equity Practice with a particular focus on leading senior and mid-level appointments. She is also a member of the Financial Services Practice advising clients and candidates on the cross over between all forms of investment.
Prior experience: Disaster relief charity
Education: Politics & International Relation at Warwick University with a year studying Economic Globalisation & Development at SOAS, University of London
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Jamie McKinnell Associate PartnerJamie McKinnelljamie.mckinnell@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1810London
Jamie co-leads the Real Estate Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. He advises real estate investors, owners, operators, and consultants on both executive and non-executive leadership hires. He has worked with clients in the sector for over 15 years in both London and Hong Kong, and has successfully conducted assignments across the EMEA, Asia Pacific and North American markets.
Prior experience: Sousou Partners
Education: History at Leeds University
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Imogen Moon Associate PartnerImogen Moonimogen.moon@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1801London
Imogen leads the Real Estate Practice and is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She advises clients across real estate and asset backed strategies with a focus on building investment teams across the capital structure. She has expertise in conducting cross border searches and advises on hiring diverse candidates.
Prior experience: Oxford Capital Partners
Education: English Literature at Oxford University
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Michela Ruggeri Associate PartnerMichela Ruggerimichela.ruggeri@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0285London
Michela leads the Investment Banking and Infrastructure Practices and is a Member of the Financial Services Practice. She has a particular focus on building teams within investment banking boutiques as well as advising infrastructure funds.
Prior experience: Heidrick & Struggles
Education: Modern Languages at Cambridge University
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Will Terry Associate PartnerWill Terrywill.terry@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0253London
Will is an Associate Partner and a member of the Financial Services Practice. He leads the Private Markets team. He has considerable experience advising a variety of clients including alternative investment firms, long-only funds, hedge funds, family offices and pension funds. He has particular expertise in private markets, equities and alternatives.
Prior experience: Specialist executive search firm within the equities team
Education: Literature & Philosophy at Leeds University
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Chris Unwin Associate PartnerChris Unwinchris.unwin@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)161 241 3305Manchester
Chris leads the Financial Officers Practice as well as Blackwood’s regional coverage, with responsibility for the firm's activities in the North and Midlands, advising businesses on board level succession, management changes and leadership effectiveness.
Education: French & German at Oxford University
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James Barker PrincipalJames Barkerjames.barker@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0290London
James co-leads the Leadership Advisory practice. He specialises in leadership assessments and executive coaching, supporting business leaders with decisions as part of Board or Senior Leadership restructuring or development, M&A due diligence, succession planning or culture change processes. James has extensive international experience working with clients across a diverse range of sectors. He is certified in a variety of psychometric assessment tools, has partnered clients to develop and implement a range of leadership and functional competency frameworks and is a valued executive coach.
Prior experience: Mercuri Urval, Frost & Sullivan
Education: Sociology at Durham University; MBA at Warwick Business School
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Katharine Davenport PrincipalKatharine Davenportkatharine.davenport@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1811London
Katharine is a member of the Business Services team and works on assignments across a variety of sub sectors. Prior to joining Blackwood, Katharine worked as an analyst at a business intelligence and risk consulting firm.
Prior experience: S-RM Business Intelligence
Education: Development Studies at LSE; Geography at University of Oxford
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Jenny Goslett PrincipalJenny Goslettjenny.goslett@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0264London
Jenny is a Principal in the Financial Officers Practice with expertise in Group CFO, Group Financial Controller and Group FP&A hiring. She largely focuses on searches in B2C related sectors.
Prior experience: Korn Ferry
Education: Spanish & Italian at St Andrews University
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Charlee Hawkins PrincipalCharlee Hawkinscharlee.hawkins@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0257London
Charlee is a Principal in the Financial Officers Practice. She has expertise in Group CFO and regional finance roles across the UK, Benelux and Scandinavia. She largely focuses on B2B businesses across the services and technology sectors.
Prior experience: Walker Hamill
Education: Geography at Sussex University
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Joel Holford PrincipalJoel Holfordjoel.holford@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0262London
Joel is a member of the Financial Services Practice with a focus on investment management, including advising long-only funds, hedge funds, family offices and pension funds.
Prior experience: Specialised executive search firm focussing on C-level strategy and business development roles within Europe
Education: Philosophy & Economics at Durham University
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Poppy Moore PrincipalPoppy Moorepoppy.moore@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1813London
Poppy leads the Healthcare Practice and has extensive experience advising international listed, private and private equity backed businesses across pharma services, healthcare services, diagnostics and devices.
Prior experience: The RSA Group
Education: Social & Political Science with Philosophy at York University
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Jessica Rowland PrincipalJessica Rowlandjessica.rowland@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0272London
Jessica is a member of the Consumer Practice, working on assignments across all subsectors, with specific experience in multisite businesses.
Prior experience: MBS Group, Clarity
Education: Management at University of Warwick
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Lucia Ruck Keene PrincipalLucia Ruck Keenelucia.ruckkeene@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1817London
Lucia is a member of the Financial Services Practice. She leads assignments for a variety of investment clients across public and private markets. She has a particular expertise in responsible investment and has her CFA Level 4 Certificate in ESG Investing.
Prior experience: Kinnevik
Education: English Literature at Edinburgh University
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Chris Tugwell PrincipalChris Tugwellchris.tugwell@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1814Principal
Chris is a member of the Business Services Practice and typically focuses on the Engineering, Industrial, Property Services, Environmental Services, Infrastructure and Outsourcing markets within private equity and high growth companies.
Prior experience: Drax
Education: Economic and Social History at University of Liverpool
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Grace Wookey PrincipalGrace Wookeygrace.wookey@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0256London
Grace is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across the sector, with a focus on B2B software and IT services. Prior to joining Blackwood, Grace worked at a specialist recruitment firm with a focus on the life sciences sector.
Prior experience: Meet Recruitment
Education: Economics at Birmingham University
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Alexandra Anton Senior AssociateAlexandra Antonalexandra.anton@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0252London
Alex is a Senior Associate within the Financial Services Practice, working across Real Asset and Investment Banking mandates.
Prior experience: Freshminds
Education: Law at King’s College London
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Anneka Ghedia Senior AssociateAnneka Ghediaanneka.ghedia@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0288London
Anneka is a member of the Financial Services Practice with a focus on Investment Management, including assignments across long-only funds, hedge funds, and credit funds.
Prior experience: Specialist search firm placing investment professionals across credit strategies
Education: Accounting & Finance at the London School of Economics & Political Science
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Daria Koren AssociateDaria Korendaria.koren@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1812London
Daria is a member of the Consumer Practice, working on assignments across all subsectors, with a particular focus on international branded goods and tech-enabled, high growth consumer businesses.
Prior experience: Founders Keepers, The MBS Group
Education: Modern and Medieval Languages (Spanish & Italian), University of Cambridge
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Claudia Marcelletti Senior AssociateClaudia Marcelletticlaudia.marcelletti@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0812London
Claudia is a member of the Consumer Practice, working on assignments across all subsectors, with specific experience in international branded goods and media.
Prior experience: The Walt Disney Company, MBS Group
Education: International Marketing, King’s College London; Political Science & Communication, Luiss Guido Carli University
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Annabelle Massy-Collier Senior AssociateAnnabelle Massy-Collierannabelle.massy-collier@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0292London
Annabelle is a Senior Associate in the Private Equity Practice. She advises clients across private equity and broader private markets, with a focus on mid-level and junior hiring.
Education: Classics at University of Bristol
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Andy Stevens Senior AssociateAndy Stevensandy.stevens@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0275London
Andy is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across the sector, with a focus on B2B software and IT services.
Education: Geography at Oxford University
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Kathryn Bonner AssociateKathryn Bonnerkathryn.bonner@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0265London
Kathryn is a member of the Financial Officers Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: History at University of Cambridge
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Archie Brown AssociateArchie Brownarchie.brown@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1803London
Archie is a member of the Financial Officers Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: War Studies & History at King’s College London; Contemporary Chinese Studies at Oxford University
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Ben Gnauck AssociateBen Gnauckben.gnauck@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0286London
Ben is a member of the Investment Banking team and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: Public policy research and risk intelligence analysis
Education: Modern European Studies at Nottingham University; Economics & Politics at Bristol University
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Lati Gutta AssociateLati Guttalati.gutta@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0255London
Lati is a member of the Investment Management team and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: Human, Social & Political Sciences at Cambridge University
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Patrick Hayes AssociatePatrick Hayespatrick.hayes@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1809London
Patrick is a member of the Business Services team and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: English Literature & History at Nottingham University
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Isabella Imi AssociateIsabella Imiisabella.imi@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0295London
Isabella is a member of the Consumer, Retail & Leisure team and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: PER
Education: French & Italian at University of Oxford
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Emma Lanigan AssociateEmma Laniganemma.lanigan@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0280London
Emma is a member of the Private Equity team and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Education: International Relations at Bath University
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Kirsty Millar AssociateKirsty Millarkirsty.millar@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0271London
Kirsty is a member of the Business Services team and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: Contingent recruitment focusing on investment teams within Private Equity funds
Education: MRes Sports Science; Physiology & Sports Science at University of Glasgow
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Molly Stooke AssociateMolly Stookemolly.stooke@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0296London
Molly is a member of the Technology Practice and works on assignments across all practice areas.
Prior experience: Events industry organising supercar rallies
Education: Journalism at Portsmouth University
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Jay Angel Administration and Internal HR OfficerJay Angeljay.angel@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0270London
Jay is an Administration and Internal HR Officer, and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Prior to joining Blackwood, Jay volunteered as an Administrator at an employment and training charity.
Education: He holds a City & Guilds NVQ in Business & Administration.
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Olivia Clayton Office ManagerOlivia Claytonolivia.clayton@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0250London
Olivia is the Office Manager and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Front of house in the hotel industry and as a volunteer at an orphanage in South East Asia
Education: Sport Studies at Southampton Solent University
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Emy Guerrieri Executive AssistantEmy Guerrieriemy.guerrieri@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0800London
Emy is an Executive Assistant in the Consumer, Retail & Leisure Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Team Coordinator/Personal Assistant at Teneo
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Hannah Johnston Senior Executive AssistantHannah Johnstonhannah.johnston@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1816London
Hannah is a Senior Administrator in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Criminology & Sociology at Surrey University
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Rosie Leslie Executive AssistantRosie Leslierosie.leslie@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1805London
Rosie is an Administrator in the Executive Assessment team and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration, and IT Group. She is qualified in administering a variety of Psychometric tools.
Education: Psychology at City, University of London
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Becky Lyken Executive AssistantBecky Lykenbecky.lyken@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0254London
Becky is an Administrator in the Financial Services Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Primary Education, Age 5-11 at Brighton University
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Mutsa Mutiti Financial ControllerMutsa Mutitimutsa.mutiti@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0294London
Mutsa is the firm’s Financial Controller and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Finance and capital projects at South Bank University and at Space Craft Architects
Education: Business Administration and Accounting at Solusi University
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John Pearson IT AnalystJohn Pearsonjohn.pearson@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)207 220 0259London
John works in the IT team and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: IPS Totalstaffing and AON Risk Services
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Issy Petts Executive AssistantIssy Pettsissy.petts@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1808London
Issy is an Administrator in the Financial Services Practice and is also a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Team Assistant at Rothschild
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Lizzie Rawcliffe Executive AssistantLizzie Rawcliffelizzie.rawcliffe@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7110 0267London
Lizzie is an Administrator in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Psychology at Northumbria University
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Katie Walker Executive AssistantKatie Walkerkatie.walker@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1802London
Katie is an Executive Assistant in the Corporate Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Adult Health Nursing at Cardiff University
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Terry Wells Chief Technology OfficerTerry Wellsterry.wells@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)207 220 0287London
Terry is Blackwood’s Chief Technology Officer and is a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: BAE Systems, ABN Amro and Lloyds Treasury as an independent consultant
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Olivia Whitely Executive AssistantOlivia Whitelyolivia.whitely@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 1818London
Olivia is an Administrator in the Financial Services Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Prior experience: Executive Assistant for 10 years supporting C-Suite in a range of industries, including Private Healthcare, Internet Engineering and Real Estate
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Andrea Woods Executive AssistantAndrea Woodsandrea.woods@blackwoodgroup.com+44 (0)20 7220 0258London
Andrea is an Administrator in the Financial Services Practice and a member of Blackwood’s Finance, Administration and IT Group.
Education: Spanish with European Economics & Politics at Aston University