Take a closer glimpse into the people at Saxton Bampfylde and our global partners with our regular team insight feature. Sian Carnegy-Arbuthnott joined our Consulting team in Scotland in early 2019.
Past, present and future
I joined Saxton Bampfylde after relocating home to Scotland after many years living and working in London. As a member of the consulting team here I am fortunate to work with clients across many of Scotland’s main industries from consumer goods, financial services, arts & culture and education. The firm’s distinctive culture and strong value set coupled with the variety and breadth of the work we do makes Saxton Bampfylde a very unique and enjoyable place to work. We are a small, close-knit team in Scotland but never feel too far from our London partners!
Rainy day dreams
In an ideal world I would spend a rainy afternoon inside indulging in an addictive crime boxset on Netflix, however I am more likely to be found braving the elements at Murrayfield watching my fiancé play rugby, swiftly followed by celebrations or in some cases commiserations, over a glass of something quirky at Panda & Sons.
True passion
Having raised a flock of sheep since I was 12 years old – surprising to most but not to me – I still enjoy escaping to the Angus glens from Edinburgh for a weekend to visit them!
Who – dead or alive – do you view as a particularly inspiring leader, and why?
The Duchess of Cambridge. Her global influence on culture by celebrating the success of others and her ability to focus on how she can use her position of influence to give more to those in need and bring attention to important humanitarian issues.
Which three words describe your view of Scottish business spirit?
Tenacious, entrepreneurial and meaningful.
Are there sectors you would identify which are starting to put a greater emphasis on innovation than in the past?
In addition to being a global leader in traditional industries like finance, Scotland thrives in innovative sectors like technology, life sciences and renewable energy. It constantly amazes me how many interesting, disrupter-style brands start-up and flourish here such as Skyscanner and Genius; two powerful examples of entrepreneurial-led, challenger businesses, which have changed the way we think about both respective industries.
How important is an innovative spirit in identifying leaders? Are there sectors where this attitude is in more demand?
To be a leader with an innovative spirit is to have passion, vision and focus. In today’s evolving world this feels ever more important across all sectors where creativity and entrepreneurship is essential to succeed.
How would you describe your first year at Saxton Bampfylde?
Quick!
Sian Carnegy-Arbuthnott joined Saxton Bampfylde in 2018 as a member of the consulting team based in the Edinburgh office. She joined from a leading global executive search firm based in the firm’s London office where she was a member of the CEO & Board practice with a focus on main board and direct-report appointments across a broad range of sectors, including retail, consumer and industrial. Sian holds an MA in History of Art from the University of St Andrews.
