Government & Public Sector
Saxton Bampfylde has been a leader in public sector search for almost thirty years. We combine depth of expertise in government with creativity and cross-sector reach.
Overview
We specialise at the interface of government with other sectors, bringing our expertise across the commercial, education, research, health and cultural sectors to bear on senior appointments. We combine our own established UK expertise with access to global talent, and deep understanding of international talent markets through our active international public sector practice. Our experience ranges from the highest-profile and most heavily-scrutinised roles to the most unusual and specialist. The public sector is rapidly changing. It is often poorly understood by those outside it: opportunities are underestimated, stereotypes outdated. In a competitive market for talent, we are ideally positioned to identify and attract leading individuals, in the UK and beyond.
Our clients













Consulting Team

Jessica Kenny

Sophie Tredinnick

Alex Richmond

Hatty Cadman

Jamie Wesley

Pamela Leonce

Stephen Bampfylde

Jonathan Morgan
Jessica Kenny

Consulting Team
Jessica joined Saxton Bampfylde as a Researcher working across all sector areas before becoming the Head of Research, leading our 30 strong in-house research team. Jessica now works as the Associate Consultant in our Public Sector practice, advising on appointments across government and regulation. She has an MA in International Security and Terrorism and a BA in Politics, both from the University of Nottingham.
Sophie Tredinnick

Consulting Team
Sophie Tredinnick joined Saxton Bampfylde’s consulting team in 2018 as head of the Government Practice having spent over 10 years working in Government and the Civil Service in policy, strategy and operational roles including managing a £500m government grant scheme, developing policy and strategy for electric vehicles, the environment and EU Exit. She also worked on increasing diversity in recruitment and on multifaceted organisational design and transformation. Sophie set up the REACH programme in collaboration with the Cabinet Office – a programme to support talented disabled people in 2019.
Alex Richmond

Consulting Team
Alex Richmond joined Saxton Bampfylde in 2013, having previously worked for an education charity. As a member of our consulting team, Alex advises on board-level appointments across sectors, with a particular focus on government and healthcare, and on commercial and non-profit organisations that face into the public sector. Alex has a BA in History from the University of Cambridge, and previous to returning to the UK for university he grew up overseas in Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Hatty Cadman

Consulting Team
Hatty Cadman joined Saxton Bampfylde in 2013. She has more than fifteen years’ experience in executive search, advising clients across the private, public and non-profit sectors on senior executive and non-executive appointments. She has a particular expertise in health and care, and in working at the interface of the public and commercial sectors with service delivery and innovation organisations. Hatty has a BA in History from the University of Oxford, and is a Governor of The Queen’s School. She was elected onto Saxton Bampfylde’s Board of Trustees in 2018.
Jamie Wesley

Consulting Team
Jamie leads our higher education practice having joined the firm in 2012. He has advised and supported university and research-focussed clients on appointments at executive and non-executive level, primarily Chair, CEO, Vice-Chancellor, Provost, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean positions. Jamie also works with organisations at the intersection of industry, academia and government such as research funders, R&D businesses, independent research institutes, learned societies, membership bodies and commercial subsidiaries. Jamie graduated with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the universities of Durham and Oxford respectively.
Pamela Leonce

Diversity and Governance Advisor
Pamela is an Advisor on diversity and governance at Saxton Bampfylde. She has extensive leadership experience having been an Executive Director across housing, health, social care and the criminal justice sector. As the Chair of Inquilab Housing association and a board member of Green Park Housing she brings a wealth of experience in company culture, governance and diversity. Her non-executive roles include: Barclays Foundation Bank, Westfield Shopping Centre and Advisor to Mayor of London Pamela is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a qualified English as a Second Language teacher.
Stephen Bampfylde

Consulting Team
Stephen is co-founder and Chairman of Saxton Bampfylde. He began his career working for IBM and Whitehall, where he spent nearly 10 years before moving into top level executive search. For 27 years he has been involved in the recruitment of executives to senior positions across all sectors. He helped establish the worldwide professional association AESC in Europe and was its international director for a number of years. Outside executive search, he has been involved with the advisory boards of the Business Schools at Cambridge and City Universities, is a Trustee of the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, and is former Chairman of the Guildford Cathedral Council. Stephen read Economics at Jesus College, Cambridge and studied corporate finance at London Business School..
Jonathan Morgan

Consulting Team
Jonathan has worked in search for over 10 years and heads our regulation and government affairs practice. He joined the consulting team at Saxton Bampfylde after heading our education research. He has advised on board level appointments across the private, public and not for profit sectors; he also leads our competition practice. Jonathan read Chinese at Edinburgh University, has a diploma in management from Cambridge, and is an alumnus of Kellogg School of Management. Jonathan is a governor of Purley Nursery and Children's Centre.
Featured

News
Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Awards – Saxton Bampfylde wins the ‘Making a Difference Award’
Saxton Bampfylde has been announced as the winner in the “Making a Difference” category at the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Awards (RIDI)! Each year the RIDI awards bring together leading change makers in the recruitment sector to celebrate the very best of disability confident recruitment. This Award highlights those who have excelled in levelling the […]
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Insight
Board Evolution in a Time of Crisis
At the beginning of lockdown Stephen Bampfylde held a series of webinars with Patrick Dunne to discuss the challenges facing boards and the impact of the crisis on governance. These were an opportunity for Patrick to share some of the key themes coming out of his recently published book ‘Boards: A Practical Perspective’ and allowed […]
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Saxton Bampfylde wins AESC’s inaugural ‘IDEA’ Award for outstanding contribution to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in leadership
This week at their annual AESC Global Conference, the global Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) presented its inaugural “IDEA Award” for outstanding contribution to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (or “IDEA”). The AESC IDEA Award was established this year to support the goals of the AESC Diversity Pledge, signed by more than 100 CEOs of leading executive […]
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STEP – A new holistic coaching and development programme for diverse leaders
Saxton Bampfylde have been privileged to work with so many organisations who actively seek to diversify their leadership teams and provide development opportunities for their upcoming talent. As leadership advisors, we have a pivotal role to play in the development of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic leaders, and particularly those at a point of transition to […]
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Professor Richard Trembath appointed Senior Vice President and Provost (Health) of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre
Professor Richard Trembath has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Provost (Health) and Executive Director of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre from the 1 September 2020. A clinician scientist of international renown through his work in medical and population genetics, he is a former NIHR Senior Investigator and Fellow of the Academy […]
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Appointment of Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE as next Chair of the National Audit Office
Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE has been announced by the Prime Minister and the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as the next Chair of the National Audit Office (NAO). Dame Fiona has been chosen following an open competition that was led by Parliament, with the preferred candidate chosen by a selection panel that included […]
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National Cyber Security Centre announces Lindy Cameron as new CEO
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ – has announced that Lindy Cameron will become its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms Cameron will lead the UK’s principal technical authority on cyber security as it continues to help make the UK the safest place to live and work online. Her role […]
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Professor Paul Monks to join Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as new Chief Scientific Advisor
The University of Leicester’s Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science Paul Monks is to join the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as its new Chief Scientific Advisor. The Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Science and Engineering succeeds Professor John Loughhead, who is currently the Department’s Chief Scientific Advisor. […]
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Insight
Humanity at the Heart of Digital Prosperity
Over our near 35-year history, Saxton Bampfylde has supported some of the most successful organisations in the UK and further afield, to identify and appoint senior leaders capable of building confidence and utilising their experience in times of change. During this time, one of the most fundamental changes to stem across all areas of life […]
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Insight
Leading like never before: what the pandemic paradigm means for leaders
Saxton Bampfylde’s Leadership Services team works as an extension of organisations across the UK to help them appoint and develop the very best leaders. They consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the traits of leadership that will subsequently be most relevant. The regulation sector spans almost every area of consumer and corporate life. […]
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News
Dr Ros Rivaz appointed as new Chair of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
The NDA has announced that Dr Ros Rivaz has been appointed as Chair of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, succeeding Tom Smith, whose term as Chair ends on 31 August 2020. Minister for Business and Industry, Nadhim Zahawi, said: The UK has unrivalled expertise in nuclear decommissioning, cleaning up the environment, boosting the economy and delivering […]
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Insight
Shifting Sands: The role of the board in a crisis
Stephen Bampfylde shares his insights and observations specifically focused on the role of the Board and its evolution in the time of crisis.
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News
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser named as the new CEO of UK Research and Innovation
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has appointed Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS as the new CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Professor Leyser is a leading British plant biologist and Director of the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. Starting the position on Monday 29 June, as UKRI CEO, Professor Leyser will guide […]
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News
WWF appoints Tesco’s Dave Lewis as Chair of the board of trustees
In a significant appointment, WWF-UK has announced that Tesco CEO Dave Lewis will join the charity as Chair of the Board of Trustees. With environmental issues increasingly important to people in the UK, and a series of crucial milestones on the climate and nature emergency over the next year, businesses and politicians must make the […]
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Royal Statistical Society appoints Stian Westlake as Chief Executive
Royal Statistical Society has announced the appointment of Stian Westlake as its new Chief Executive. Stian takes up the role in July 2020. As an executive director at Nesta from 2009 to 2017, Stian ran the organisation’s think tank. Under his leadership, the team launched a range of initiatives on data and evidence, including the […]
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Insight
The virtual interview: what you need to know
With the impact of lockdown and the ban on all but ‘essential travel’, most organisations find themselves having to rely on video call / conferencing technology in order to meet candidates and carry out interviews. Although the current level of uncertainty has impacted many organisation’s appetite for making senior executive or non-executive appointments, many find […]
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News
People Moves in International Development – H2 2018 – 2019
Welcome to the latest review by Saxton Bampfylde of people moves in International Development covering the final months of 2018 and 2019. Our latest People Moves review covers the latter half of 2018 and 2019, a period that may be seen in future years as a pivotal, transitional period in the international development and humanitarian […]
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News
Reach Disability Mentoring Programme – Round table event
We enjoyed a great first round-table event in the REACH disability mentoring programme. A lively discussion with an inspiring group from a range of organisations, discussing the importance of being open about disability. Our core agenda was about empowering disabled talent, specifically addressing stigma, celebrating what works, looking at blockers and generating ideas. We were […]
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News
ACL Appoints Lesley Cowley as Chair of the Board
The Board of the world’s leading airport coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited, is pleased to announce that Lesley Cowley OBE is to become its new Chair succeeding Jeff Halliwell, whose term of office comes to an end in March 2020. Lesley brings to ACL her wide experience as a non-executive director including chairing the boards of the […]
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News
Leading with James Ashton Podcast launches second series supported by Saxton Bampfylde
We are delighted to announce our support for the second series of ‘Leading with James Ashton’, a leadership podcast that speaks to people at the top of their game in business, charity, the arts and beyond. Each episode features two leaders from very different organisations discussing their take on leading vital causes, famous brand names […]
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News
World Mental Health Day 2019
World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, but each year, 10 October is set aside as a day for everyone to show their support for better mental health and to encourage […]
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Insight
Double (no) Trouble: Taking the stress out of multiple appointments
Adding a new face to a senior leadership team can have a huge impact on the diversity of thought, range of skills and approaches to work, the team dynamics and the culture. These elements can, of course, have a significant knock-on impact for the rest of the organisation. It is essential that you are armed […]
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News
Saxton Bampfylde partners with Civil Service to launch new disability mentoring programme REACH
Saxton Bampfylde has teamed with the Civil Service to launch a new mentoring programme designed to help support Civil Service employees with disabilities to maximise their career potential. Mentors participating in the programme are executive level leaders from outside the Civil Service who have either a lived experience of disability or have been involved in […]
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Dr Angela Wilkinson appointed as new Secretary-General of the World Energy Council
The World Energy Council has appointed its first woman Secretary General. Dr Angela Wilkinson will lead the development of timely, credible and insightful analysis on the state of the energy system and future evolution. She holds a PhD in Physics and has provided strategic advisory services to leaders in government, business, and civil society for […]
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Insight
Walk the Line – Government & Regulatory Affairs in a Changing Landscape
Over the past 30 years Saxton Bampfylde has been working alongside some of the most successful businesses in the UK, and has developed a strong reputation for our work in the public affairs space. We recognise that in an ever more complex political and economic climate, particularly the regulation and government affairs function across these […]
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News
New Defra Chief Scientist appointed
Professor Gideon Henderson has been appointed by Defra to be the department’s new Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA). Professor Henderson, currently a Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford and until recently its head of department, will join Defra in October this year. He will replace Sir Ian Boyd, who is leaving Defra after […]
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News
Gwen Parry-Jones OBE announced as Magnox Chief Executive Officer
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has announced the appointment of Gwen Parry-Jones OBE as Chief Executive Officer of Magnox Ltd. The appointment is a vital step towards Magnox Ltd becoming a subsidiary of NDA in September 2019, when Gwen will officially take up her post. Before starting work as CEO of Magnox, Gwen will be seconded […]
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Insight
The Magic of Ministry: A first timer’s guide to the public sector non-executive role
As one of the leading executive search firms advising on public appointments for over 30 years, Saxton Bampfylde has developed a strong interest in how people who have developed their careers outside of government find the process of being appointed to, and then the experience of holding, non-executive roles in the public sector. This year […]
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News
People Moves in International Development – 12 month review
Welcome to Saxton Bampfylde’s latest review of People Moves in the international development and humanitarian sector in the past year. Clearly it has been a period of extraordinary change. Beyond the strategic and operational challenges facing organisations seeking to maintain momentum to the SDGs or addressing burgeoning civil and environmental crises, the wider geopolitical climate […]
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