Independent Executive Search and Research Consultant – Working at Senior Management and Board Level to find and connect the right people
“You have found us candidates we did not think we would be able to attract”
Background
I am an independent executive search consultant and researcher with over 30 years of experience working with leading executive search firms and corporate organisations. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with Fisher Dillistone and PWC before establishing my own business, following brief stints in publishing and with EY.
I amassed a wealth of experience. I have worked with senior management and board-level executives across various job functions, including general management, sales, marketing, communications, operations, finance, legal, visitor experience, and human resources. My work has spanned various markets and geographies, particularly emphasising consumer-facing organisations of all types. I have honed my expertise in board work across sectors recently, specialising in the arts, culture, heritage, education, and charities. Known for fostering longstanding working relationships, I am recognised for the meticulousness and thoroughness of my search process.
When undertaking an assignment, I aim to achieve the best possible result for my client and the candidates involved. To achieve this, I adopt a partnership approach, working closely with my clients to meet their needs. The following outlines the work I typically undertake:
My qualifications:
I have a BA Hons in Philosophy & English Literature from the University of East Anglia and an MSc in Organisational Behaviour from Birkbeck College, University of London. I am also a licensed career counsellor with Career Counselling Services and qualified with the British Psychological Society Levels A and B in occupational testing.
Executive Search
- Defining the requirement and preparing the Candidate Brief
- Finding suitable candidates
- Assessing candidates, longlisting and interviewing
- Helping with shortlist interviews and selection of the preferred candidate
- Agreeing terms of appointment and finalizing a contract
Executive Search Research
- Candidate identification or mapping exercises
- Candidate and source approach calls
- Reporting and assistance with paperwork as required
- Client meeting attendance
Executive Search Training
- Training in executive search process and techniques
- Getting the briefing you need
- Finding candidates and sources
- Making approaches – including those tricky initial telephone calls
Career Advisory
- Supporting people through times of career transition, such as senior Army leavers and senior executives moving from full-time to portfolio careers
- Advising on CVs, how to maximise networks and refreshing interview skills
Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
Testimonials
“As the Deputy Chair of Kids in Museums, I worked closely with Jocelyn Buxton on the search for a new Chair to lead the charity with a growth agenda. My fellow trustees and I were impressed with the impressive range of candidates Jocelyn found that met our brief as well the depth and quality of her research and meticulous management of the process. It can be a difficult decision for a small charity to use professional search but we were delighted with the outcome and had a unanimous Board agreement that this support to our charity was excellent value.”
Elizabeth McKay, Deputy Chair Kids in Museums and Director & CEO of London Transport Museum
“Jocelyn worked with the Bevis Marks Synagogue Heritage Foundation in 2022 to bring in two new Trustees with skills that are highly valuable but difficult to recruit. Our Board were impressed by her knowledge of the sector, her understanding of our environment, the quality of candidates she was able to attract and the professionalism and thoroughness of the process. We would not have found these individuals ourselves and they are making a great contribution to the Foundation.”
Howard Martin, former Chair, Bevis Marks Synagogue Heritage Foundation
“Jocelyn worked with me in my executive search business, for more than six years, supporting some significant search assignments across the arts and heritage sectors in the UK and internationally. She goes the extra mile in finding candidates, paying attention to diversity in all its forms and is excellent at both her candidate and client handling. Her extensive experience in the commercial sector means that she can bring people from outside the cultural sector to Board – and to appropriate executive - assignments. She works to deadlines and can be relied upon to deliver a good outcome in both large and smaller organisations, understanding the different challenges which they face. Jocelyn is a quality, experienced, professional search executive.”
Liz Amos, MBE
“Jocelyn has worked with our search firm for over 25 years which is a testament to the high regard in which we hold her and the quality of her work. She takes time to understand the brief, often picking up on issues which we may have missed, is diligent in her pursuit of candidates and then is able to deal with them, making our life much easier. She is a high quality executive search professional who goes far beyond that which is expected of her. Candidates, clients and all with whom she comes in contact have been impressed by her attention to detail and the quality of the work delivered.”
David Dumeresque, Partner, Tyzack
Some Recent Assignments
- Charity and Heritage: Chair, Trustees, President
- Universities: Programme Leader Design; Conservation Centre Director; Secretary to the Council; Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Director of Culture
- University Museum: Director
- Membership Organisation: Independent Directors
- Fintech: Finance Director
- Investment Trusts: Various NEDs
- International Food Group: Global VP
- Telecoms: Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
- Manufacturing: Strategic Sales Director
- Investment Trust: NEDs
- Corporate Finance: Director Compensation Practice
- Professional Services Group: Chief Executive
- Museum: Chair and Trustees; Director
- International Gallery/Museum: Director Contemporary Collection; Director
- Theatre: Chair