SES represented in the Spears 500 Top Recommended

This year has been a record year for Stephenson Executive Search, a headhunting firm that focuses on appointments in the private banking, private wealth management and family office sectors. The company has doubled in size, hired more executives and expanded into the legal sector whilst continuing to service its existing client base.
‘Our core business continues to be in wealth management’ says Billy Stephenson, founder and managing director. ‘But we have also seen an increase in demand from international multi-family offices looking to establish themselves in London as well as financial technology firms looking to target “next gen” clients’

Stephenson was previously a Private Banker at Credit Suisse where he spent 6 years managing the wealth of high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. In 2012, he founded Stephenson Executive Search; the company now also provides high level board reviews, advice on governance and non-executive hires.

Key to the success of the firm is fulfilling the role of a trusted advisor.
‘Clients discuss their business objectives and growth plans with us’ says Stephenson, ‘so confidentiality is paramount. We need to understand their strategy in order to represent them effectively and accurately in the wider market. This means we can find candidates with the right skills and personality traits to best benefit our clients now and in the future’.
‘This year there has been a discernible increase in demand for candidates who focus on ESG. Companies are finding that there is a significant relationship between a company’s ESG credentials and their standing in the marketplace. We believe this trend will continue as investors, particularly millennials, become more sensitive to climate, impact and sustainability issues. Equally, diversity remains high on the agenda and the commitment of companies signing up to the Women in Finance Charter is encouraging and will do much to reduce the gender pay gap.’