About us
We’ve been on the growth journey and understand the need to stay nimble and preserve optionality.
You may not need all of the expertise that we offer on day one, but our goal is to provide you with timely and right-sized support and grow with you.
Our fractional team model is designed to set you up for the next chapter to allow you to keep moving forward.
Why we exist
We’ve supported companies scaling from zero to 350+ people across leadership search, team growth and culture development.
All our Partners and Advisors have significant executive level experience. We understand how your business works and know what good looks like for you.
Our market knowledge and network spans Capital Markets, Fintech, Insurtech and (Re)Insurance creating a unique convergence point for talent.
Why partner with us?
We know where the pitfalls lie and how to be nimble
Our entire team has worked in executive roles at growth companies.
We have a strong philosophy of focusing on driving outcomes and getting to the answer quicker.
We go deeper. From time-consuming details to managing complex situations, we are your sherpas and sparring partners on the road to success.
Where companies struggle
Our Philosophy
We believe that successful companies exhibit the following super-powers:
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to attract the highest caliber people
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to scale the enterprise
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to expand beyond their initial warm network
Even the strongest founders need support. They have a duty to their investors and a duty to their teams and they need to deliver on their milestones and their mission.
Our team has the expertise to help you build your vision faster. Our core solutions combine our many decades of industry experience with best in class technology and automation.
Meet Your Partners
Stafford Lowe
Partner – Bermuda
Stafford has significant experience that spans global Capital Markets executive search, in house HR and Operations Management. He has also held the role of Chief of Staff and Member of the Management Board at a high-profile, regulated digital asset exchange.
His experience working at 4 fast growing fintech companies in multiple senior management capacities enables him to work closely with the executive management teams at our clients to help plan how to build and scale their organizations.
He is also a Former Fintech Advisor to the Bermuda Government and a Founding Committee Member of the NEXT Digital Asset Industry Forum.
Specialisms: Capital Markets | InsurTech | Digital Assets | Blockchain |
Experience
Chief of Staff; Business Management
Operations Management
Finance, Accounting & Payroll Management
Legal Contracts; Term sheet negotiation
Global Human Resources Management (UK, US, Singapore, Switzerland & Bermuda); Global Recruiting
Capital Markets and Financial Market Infrastructure
Significant executive Committee and Board Level experience
Company Director
Partner Profile
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Over 20 years of capital markets experience; broad-ranging leadership roles at venture capital, private equity and corporate backed FinTech start-ups; extensive blockchain / DLT experience
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Equally adept at client-facing and internal leadership roles; exhibits passion and capacity to accept all challenges, proactively solve problems, and to constantly drive the business forward
- Versatile hands-on experience in the roles of Chief Operating Officer, Finance Director, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief of Staff and HR Director for teams ranging from 25 – 150 people
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Experience setting up entire suite of back-office functions for multi-jurisdictional companies and managing the productivity of both in-house and outsourced resources
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Significant executive Committee and Board Level experience
Tim Reed
Partner – Bermuda
A rare blend of large enterprise experience running global marketing teams at major institutions combined with building marketing functions from scratch as Chief Marketing Officer at numerous FinTech start-ups.
Expertise includes: Strategic marketing, Go-to-market planning, Content marketing, Event and conference management, Public relations/Social Media, and Marketing automation.
Experience
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Strategic marketing: competitive analysis, audience segmentation and messaging platform development
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6-12 month comprehensive marketing plan development
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Content marketing/thought leadership (social media strategy, writing, video production, podcasts, etc)
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Event and conference management
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Marketing automation: email marketing, funnel management, sales enablement
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Public relations
Partner Profile
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CMO-level entrepreneurial strategic marketer with US/global leadership experience launching, growing and turning around businesses
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Distinctive ability to develop corporate narratives and thought leadership programs that increase market leadership. Partners with sales teams to develop demand generation strategies that drive revenue and profitability
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Over 25 years’ experience delivering B2B marketing expertise in brand positioning, public relations, web, content and growth marketing
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Expertise across all asset classes including digital assets, fixed income, equities, FX and futures
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Thorough understanding of the institutional Wall Street space having held senior positions on the sellside, exchange and tech platform space
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Experience rebranding and repositioning from Fortune 500 companies to early stage start-ups
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Created a major institutional crypto conference from scratch and lead marketing as a fraction CMO for some of the crypto ecosystems leading brands
Simon Clarke
Partner – London
Simon has significant experience both in executive search and as a talent leader in within the Financial Services and Technology sectors. He acts as a trusted adviser to leadership teams providing advice and guidance to senior management on all aspects of talent acquisition, resource planning and employer brand strategy.
He has performed search mandates globally and works with a wide range of clients across all functions identifying the very best, transformational leaders.
Previously, Simon worked at SIX Digital Exchange, R3 and several global executive search firms.
Specialisms: Capital Markets | InsurTech | Digital Assets | Blockchain |
Experience
Significant global talent sourcing across EMEA, APAC and US
Full recruitment lifecycle management across all functions
Significant contact base within global FinTech
Participative leadership style, inclusive and culturally aware D&I champion
Acknowledged brand ambassador mindset
Partner Profile
Passionate about global talent sourcing, DEI and brand awareness
Significant experience of developing and managing teams of recruiters across Technology and Financial Services sectors
Demonstrable record of responsibility for the entire resourcing process, providing advice and guidance to senior management on all aspects of talent acquisition, onboarding and brand management
Designed and delivered resourcing strategies to identify first class technical, corporate and commercial talent to support high growth hiring plans
Participative leadership style, inclusive and culturally aware D&I champion and brand ambassador
Created and delivered successful graduate and internship programs
Hannes Heyns
Partner – Bermuda
Hannes is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with a decade of experience in initiating and growing early-stage ventures. He excels in transforming concepts into sustainable businesses, having been a founder, director and CEO for numerous RegTech, GovTech, and FinTech companies.
An alumnus of the prestigious Singularity University Global Startup Program (GSP19), Hannes also holds an MEng in Enterprise Engineering from Stellenbosch University and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria, showcasing his robust background in both business strategy and technical acumen.
Paul Coleman
Chief Technology Partner – Bermuda
Blue chip pedigree with over a decade of startup experience. Co-founded, raised investment, drove growth, and sold startups.
Experience building tech strategies and teams mission aligned that deliver. Magic power, bridging business and technology.
Former policy advisor for the Bermuda Government.
Capabilities
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Buy or Build decisions; offshore, near-shore, in-house team decisions
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Evaluation / qualification for technical hires
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Partner and vendor selection; who to select and how to implement (including Cloud)
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Regulatory requirements; InfoSec hygiene; Security testing
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MVP Development
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DevOps / CICD Management
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Bridging the gap between business and technology (including investor communications)
Partner Profile
successful CTO with an M.B.A. 25 year startup and blue-chip experience in growing and leading technology teams
Known for delivering results, cross team collaboration, growing high performance teams, and creating usable technology
Keen sense for prioritizing and making tradeoffs between cost, scope, quality and schedule
Recognized for building consensus among diverse teams, coaching employees, and ensuring teams have proper focus, necessary resources, and training to achieve success
Experience managing many world class technology projects, from end-to-end
Proficient at explaining complex technology and technical issues to non-technical peers
Extensive hands-on technical experience including legacy, serverless, web and desktop applications with millions of users
Effective verbal and written communicator. Attentive listener and mentor. Confident public speaker. Experienced with public relations and the press
Sharon Dauk
Partner – Connecticut
16 years as Executive Coach to senior executives and their teams at companies ranging from Fortune 100 to early stage.
10 years Investment Banking experience at Morgan Stanley and Smith Barney. 15 years experience as private investor, board member and mentor to emerging growth companies.
Experience
Accredited Executive Coach and Professional Mentor
Culture development including vision & mission; core values and behaviors; mindset development
Workshop facilitation
Conflict resolution
Trusted sounding board for senior executives
Over 20 years of diverse professional experience as an investor, board member, financial advisor and business executive
Partner Profile
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Executive Coach and Mentor working with Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Key Managers to achieve their goals and overcome their greatest challenges
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Combines an extensive business background with formal Coach training to provide a highly focused approach as an independent, objective confident to help you to set and achieve your greatest goals
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Over 20 years of diverse professional experience as an investor, board member, financial adviser and business executive provides a unique perspective on key issues facing business leaders at all stages and at all kinds of companies
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I will work with you as your thinking partner in a challenging yet supportive way to help you see things from different perspectives all geared toward helping you be more successful, confident and happy.
Leona Mondsee
Partner – London
A seasoned finance leader, having scaled regulated businesses from day one through multiple fundraises, high growth, and global expansion. Leona is adept at working cross functionally to provide strategic support to the C-Suite for maximum impact, and just as strong directly steering commercial decisions or negotiations.
Leona’s experience leading large multinationals and complex business, as well as high growth technology focused startups brings a unique insight and ability to execute at pace.
Specialisms: Fintech | Digital Assets | Insurtech | Regulated markets
Experience
- Finance Leader of the Year 2022 – Generation CFO independent awards in association with ACCA
- Executive MBA at Warwick Business School – Overall Grade awarded Merit – Entrepreneur specialism,dissertation subject – Valuation methods of loss making technology companies, Grade awarded, Distinction.
- ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 1 st time passes, fully completed in 15 months
- MCSI – Full member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments
- STA Diploma in Technical Analysis
- ICA – International Compliance Association membership
Partner Profile
- Experienced CFO/FD but able to work at all levels
- Extensive financial services and regulated markets experience including full product design and a robust understanding of regulation to develop commercial advantage
- Demonstrable skills in financial and growth strategy including experience, M&A, restructuring, international expansion and fundraising.
- Strong, current experience with IFRS and US GAAP
- Proven experience working at board level including early stage, high growth and regulated markets
- Significant governance experience with excellent communication and leadership skills
- Excellent analytical skills and commercial focus. Strong problems solving skills with the ability to identify priorities and see the big picture
Liz Schaefer
Partner – Bermuda
Liz has over 20 years of experience in senior Operations Management roles with a proven record in project management, delivering results against tight deadlines.
She is a highly motivated, energetic and results driven business professional with strong technical, communication and interpersonal skills and a keen interest in utilizing technology, team collaboration and new product development to achieve and maintain operational excellence, and economic efficiencies that ultimately benefit the financial results of any company or organization.
Experience
- Business systems management, billing operations, software implementation and system integration
- Business infrastructure project management, general change management
- Business process and procedure re-engineering
- IT / telecommunications operations coordination and help desk management
- General HR related operations
- Revenue assurance and expense management
- Logistics, shipping coordination, and local and overseas vendor relationship management
- Marketing and communications operations management
- Sales operations and customer relationship management
- General office and back-office operations
Partner Profile
- 20 plus years in a senior management role, driving business decisions.
- 20 plus years’ experience in the telecoms industry including in depth knowledge of current wireless technologies, billing systems development and management.
- Corporate sales skills
- Proven track record in project management with delivering results on tight deadlines
- High degree of proficiency in quickly assessing and comprehending business requirements leading to the implementation and / or integration and management of software solutions and platforms for developing new business processes to improve overall company performance.
- Highly skilled in communicating/translating complex system requirements, related to business processes, between vendors and end users.
- Comprehensive process development and training skills
- Excellent interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, MAC OS, Salesforce CRM, Slack, Asana, and many other software tools.
Gabrielle Higham
Partner – Bermuda
Gabrielle is a highly accomplished, motivated and results driven professional having a sustained record in defining and providing effective financial strategic leadership. She has over 25 years of leadership experience as a Finance Director, Chief Operating Officer and COO and over the course of her career has work extensively with private equity backed companies.
She has extensive commercial experience in delivering a wide variety of change management projects.
Experience
- Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting and shaping relevant business KPIs to evaluate business drivers and subsequent activity and profitability
- Experienced in private equity capital structures, reporting and stakeholder management
- Considerable operational experience in procurement, HR and IT management including the selection and implementation of a number of ERP systems
- Managed trade exits to include preparation of vendor due diligence and management of the whole due diligence and sale process on behalf of (as part of) the management teams
Partner Profile
- Excellent manager with extensive experience in recruiting, developing and motivating teams
- Strong in corporate governance and statutory responsibilities
- Managed a variety of change programs delivering operational and organizational efficiency and considerable margin improvement
- Selected, negotiated, delivered and integrated a number of acquisitions and disposals
- Actively engaged in commercial negotiations with clients and suppliers worldwide – usually the more challenging ones
Malcolm Butterfield
Partner – Bermuda
Malcolm possesses an extensive background in strategic advice and a broad range of advisory services which include restructuring, corporate finance, transaction services regulatory compliance and infrastructure to senior executives in both the private and public sectors of Bermuda’s International Business Industry.
He has worked as Bermuda’ Chief Regulator and was instrumental in leading and developing Bermuda’s Insurance and Reinsurance Industry and creating the platform for Bermuda’s dominance in the global marketplace.
Experience
- Broad and specialized experience in organizational, communication and decision-making skills, having led and managed large groups of professionals in both the private and public sectors.
- In addition to strategic and advisory services is well equipped with strong experience to develop and provide executive search services and other HR services to the Bermuda
- He has serviced on many Bermuda Government Boards which include Insurance Advisory, Immigration, and Bermuda Tourism Board.
- He has serviced on the board of Appleby College in Oakville Ontario for 14 years, the last seven years as the Chair.
Partner Profile
- He was a managing partner at KPMG Bermuda for almost twenty years and in this role established the largest advisory practice in Bermuda
- Has extensive contacts with many business disciplines which include corporations, law firms, various services providers, advisors, consultants and government officials both globally and locally.
- He graduated from St Mary’s University in Halifax Nova Scotia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
- He is an accomplished tenor vocalist and a current member of Bermuda’s Chamber Choir.
Gareth Moody
Partner – New York
Gareth is a proven sales leader with 20 years of experience building start-ups and running international teams in technology, AI and fintech markets.
Holding a Physics degree, he applies data-driven processes to understanding, markets, creating Go-To-Market processes and identifying that ever-elusive “product-market fit”.
Experience
- End-to-End Sales Processes
- Revenue Operations
- Building & Managing Top Performing Sales Teams Process Improvements
- CRM Implementations
- Stakeholder & Board of Director Management
- Persuasive Communications
- Market Data
- Market Structure
- Tradfi and Digital Asset market knowledge
Partner Profile
- Competitive go-to-market expert with strong Fintech and Market Data background
- Skilled in mapping markets and developing sales approaches that crack a market and then scale.
- Synthesized Sales into a set of processes that can be taught and repeated. Extensive trajectory in the practice of building and scaling up efficient sales operations.
- Expertise in traditional finance and digital assets, specialized knowledge of Credit and Rates market structure and data.
- Authority in emerging artificial intelligence landscape.
- Expert in Email Marketing, Spreadsheets and GoogleDrive.