Technology, Media & Telecoms
We find the people who will change the way we create, consume, learn and interact with each other.
Overview
Our firm has a deep love and interest in the TMT sector and has partnered with many organisations at the forefront of the industry. Over the years we have worked at senior levels across the sector and advised organisations ranging from pure plays to start-ups, FTSEs through to creative and film businesses. We have also been highly involved in working across the regulatory framework for these sectors and on industry body appointments.
What Our Clients Say
“It was their ability to find candidates just outside the edge of the box and having a compelling reason to go with them.”MD, Global Media Business
“They are always prepared and know the market. I can trust them, we have a relationship and they will work hard.”Director of People, Global Publishing Company
“They really understood what the client was looking for and that sets them apart.”Candidate, Luxury Brand
“They really work with you to understand the requirements for the post, the candidate pool, they keep you updated, you never have to chase them, their information is good quality, and their candidates are good quality.”Global HRD, Financial Services Business

Corporate Officers
We recognise that functional leaders must be able to partner with the CEO, the board and each other, anticipating strategic issues and proactively maximising opportunities for the organisation within their domain. Increasingly, they must do so on a global stage, working across boundaries, cultures and regulatory regimes. Furthermore, they are expected to oversee the development of their own talent pipeline, developing a bench of leaders beneath them. With our well-established Corporate Officer Practice we are known in the market for advising on senior appointments.
Team
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..
Augusta Bunting

Consulting Team
Augusta has worked in executive search in the UK and Australasia and is now part of the consulting team at Saxton Bampfylde where she works predominantly on board level appointments. Augusta has led on numerous executive and non-executive assignments across the commercial, public and not for profit sectors and is part of the team here partnering with organisations to carry out board and governance reviews. She is interested in the transfer of skills across sectors and how good governance can drive success in organisations that make a difference to society. She has a first class Masters from the University of Auckland.
Craig Buffkin

International Partner, Head of Global Media Practice
USA
Craig Buffkin is the founder and managing partner of Buffkin/Baker, Saxton Bampfylde's international partner through Panorama. He leads the Global Media Practice and has completed search work at board, executive and senior level both nationally and internationally for a wide range of private, public, venture-backed, and private equity-back companies. Prior to search, Craig was a director in a national technology search firm with 5 offices and over 75 consultants. He has completed over 250 engagements while involved in both firms. Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
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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News
South of Scotland Enterprise announces permanent Chief Executive
South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) has announced its new permanent Chief Executive. Jane Morrison-Ross, currently CEO of ScotlandIS, will take on the key leadership role in February 2021 to drive forward SOSE’s vision to be bold, ambitious, and deliver for the South. At ScotlandIS, the industry body and cluster management organisation for the digital and […]
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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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News
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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News
Life beyond the crisis: how the new workplace might look and how companies will need to adjust
Last month, our HR Leadership Series events were held virtually and we were delighted to be joined by Bruce Daisley – former European Vice-President of Twitter and author of Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat. Bruce shared with us his insights which drew upon his own personal experience and reflections. Prior to the crisis, Bruce had already […]
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News
5 Key Behaviours of Successful Leaders in Digital Prosperity
Strong leadership is vital, both in this time of huge upheaval and as we continue to use digital technologies to move forward and forge a way in the new normal. Leaders in a digital environment have undergone fundamental changes too, however. Gone is the world of command and control: in its place is a leadership […]
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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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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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News
Tech Nation Chair announces Stephen Kelly new Chair
The technology industry body Tech Nation has announced its new Chair. Stephen Kelly succeeds Eileen Burbidge, who has been in the role for the past five years. As Stephen Kelly takes over the role, he brings his entrepreneurial scaleup achievements – having grown and floated a silicon valley start-up on the NASDAQ – and extensive […]
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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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Insight
HR Leadership: Sharing Experiences through COVID-19
Executive leaders are working hard to respond to uncertain timelines and arguably a lack of clear direction. Our most recent webinars with HR leaders have explored ways to navigate a gradual return to work, supporting employees as a new, and quite different, “normal” establishes itself. Collective learning from our conversations are highlighted below. Reflect on […]
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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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Insight
The Constant of Change: Embracing the Skills Evolution
An award-winning Scottish business leader, Nora Senior joined us to share her view on the fears that often surround the implementation of technology and innovation, and the leadership skills required to ensure businesses are primed and ready for the economic environment of the future – whatever that may look like. Your leadership experience in executive and […]
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News
A Portfolio with Purpose: interview with Benny Higgins
We were delighted to have the chance to talk to Benny Higgins and hear about his self-identified chameleon-like approach to his differing non-executive roles. As he emerges from a very successful and high profile career in financial services, most recently as inaugural CEO of Tesco Bank, Benny’s non-executive portfolio now encompasses public, not-for-profit and commercial […]
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Insight
Cultivating Culture: An Innovative Approach to People Strategy
In her role as Group HR Director for CYBG, we welcome Kate Guthrie who talks to us as the organisation prepares to transform four diverse banking brands into a digital first bank. She shares her thoughts on the benefits of integrating technology into HR functions and the challenges of creating a cohesive culture while maintaining the integrity […]
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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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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
Andy Leyshon appointed as Chief Executive of the UK’s Film Distributors’ Association
The UK’s Film Distributors’ Association (FDA) has appointed Andy Leyshon as its new Chief Executive, succeeding Mark Batey who has held the post for two decades. Previously, Andy Leyshon was Managing Director UK & Ireland of STX International. He has also recently been serving as a distribution consultant for Gower Street Analytics, working with clients across […]
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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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Insight
Authenticity at the core: how to optimise internal communications
Interview with Siobhan Newmarch, Portland Communications
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Insight
We Own This: The Employee-Ownership Advantage
Business ownership has seen a gradual revolution over recent decades, with founders increasingly seeing the advantages that employee-ownership can bring for business growth, resilience and success. Employee-ownership is now the fastest growing form of business ownership in the UK, delivering 4 per cent of UK GDP annually. Giving greater power to a larger number of […]
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Insight
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a topic that is permeating virtually every area of our lives, both personal and professional, and features regularly in the news. Whilst fans and sceptics abound, we asked Catalina Schveninger, Global Head of Learning at Vodafone, to talk at a recent HR Leadership Breakfast and tell us why she believes it […]
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News
Which? appoints Charlotte Cool as Group Communications Director
Which? has announced the appointment of Charlotte Cool to the newly created post of Group Communications Director. Charlotte will lead external and internal communications across the Which? group, continuing to build its membership and its impact in making consumers’ lives easier, safer and fairer. Charlotte joins Which? from ASDA where she was Vice President of Corporate […]
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