The Team

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

Director

Charlie Harvey

Charlie is a Director at Stephenson Executive Search (SES) and heads up the firm’s legal practice. He works with both private practice and in-house clients and specialises in moving Partners, Counsel and Senior Associates, as well as General Counsels and Heads of Legal. Charlie has been involved in some of the most senior moves in the London legal market in recent years.

Prior to SES, Charlie worked for seven years as a Finance lawyer at Magic Circle firm Slaughter and May before spending three years as a Banking lawyer at Farrer & Co. He has a deep understanding of what it takes to hire and retain first-rate lawyers and is known for “taking the time to deeply understand not just the business and the role but importantly [candidates] as a person”.

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.

Consultant

Neil Harvey

After Cambridge University, Neil qualified as a solicitor working at Magic Circle firms Linklaters and subsequently Clifford Chance, where he was a partner for 23 years specialising in Corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions.  Neil was a Relationship Partner for a number of large global companies and the Head of one of Clifford Chance’s corporate teams in London.  For several years, Neil was a member of the CBI’s Companies Committee.

Subsequently Neil acted as a Consultant to Clifford Chance for 4 years, assisting with their Academy programme, training and mentoring senior lawyers with a view to partnership.

In 2019, Neil joined Stephenson Executive Search as a Consultant.

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.

Associate

Esther Adenuga

Esther went to King’s School Bruton and then read Law at University of Southampton, graduating with a 2:1.

After University, Esther spent the summer as an Executive Search intern.  

Esther joined Stephenson Executive Search in 2023 as an Associate in the legal arm, focusing on junior appointments in private practice and in-house. 

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.