Founder and Managing Director
Billy Stephenson F.C.S.I
Billy is Founder and Managing Director of Stephenson Executive Search (SES) and heads up the firm’s financial services practice. He focuses on C suite and senior appointments in the asset management, private wealth management and family office sectors and works across investment, distribution and operational functions. Billy operates at board level and works with FTSE 100, FTSE 250, AIM listed and private companies. He also handles senior appointments in the Fintech sector.
Prior to SES, Billy was an investment advisor at Credit Suisse where he managed the assets of high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. His client base consisted of charities, financial market professionals, companies, trusts and entrepreneurs.
Billy is a Chartered Fellow of Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments, a Freeman of the City of London and serves on the board of a charity. He is a judge at the WealthBriefing Awards and a judge at the Spears Wealth Management Awards
Chairman
Tim Stephenson
Tim began his career in the Army before working in industry for fifteen years in a range of senior appointments. He co-founded Stephenson Cobbold in 1987 and founded Stephenson & Co in 1994.
He has built a significant headhunting practice specialising in main Board appointments, both executive and non-executive, in the financial services sector and he is highly respected for his insight into Board effectiveness.
Business Consultant
Alex Arnot
Alex is an experienced board advisor – ranked #1 on LinkedIn. He advises award winning recruitment companies and has helped build a search firm from 8 to more than 120 people across 4 countries in under 4 years.
Alex is an expert in accelerating company growth, revenue, profit and shareholder value and, having chaired in excess of 1,000 board meetings, he is well placed to know what makes a successful recruitment company.
Consultant
Harry West
Harry went to the University of Leeds where he studied Business Management and Marketing and graduated with a 2:1. He then went on to study a Master’s degree at Edinburgh University.
Harry previously worked as a Recruitment Consultant and specialised in the Enterprise Performance Management sector; he dealt with clients in the consulting and finance sectors and advised them on the best candidates and practices to take forward.
Harry joined Stephenson Executive Search in 2021 as an Associate in the financial services division. He focuses on junior appointments in the asset management, private wealth management and family office sectors and works across investment, distribution, and operational functions. Harry is now a Consultant and holds the CISI Level III qualification.
Consultant
Archie Houldsworth
Archie went to Edinburgh Napier University where he graduated with a first-class degree in Business Studies.
Archie previously worked within recruitment, specialising within the life sciences. His role involved supporting biotech and pharmaceutical companies with hiring in North America, a role he held for over two and a half years.
In January 2024 Archie joined Stephenson Executive Search as a Consultant in the financial services division. He focuses on junior appointments in the asset management, wealth management and family office sectors. Archie is now pursuing his CISI Level III qualification.
Executive Assistant and Operations Manager
Jessamy Edwards
Jessamy went to Exeter School and then to London South Bank University where she trained as a Children’s Nurse. In 2019, Jessamy enrolled at Oxford Media & Business School before graduating in 2020.
Jessamy joined Stephenson Executive Search as an Office Manager and Team Assistant. She is now Operations Manager and Personal Assistant to the Founder and Director.
Personal Assistant
Alison Few Brown
In 2011, Alison began working in executive search and joined Stephenson Executive Search in 2016. She is based in the Hampshire office and works closely with Tim Stephenson; she carries out research relating to board level appointments in the financial services sector, handles administration to ensure smooth operational efficiency and acts as a point of contact for both the firm’s clients and candidates.
Prior to headhunting, Alison has worked in marketing, public relations, an independent preparatory school and at British Satellite Broadcasting.
Team Assistant
Emily Blount
Emily started her career at EY after gaining a place on their degree apprenticeship scheme specialising in Assurance.
In 2021, she left to attend Oxford Media & Business School, graduating with Distinction Honours.
Emily joins Stephenson Executive Search as a Team Assistant.