Meet The Team

The headhunting experts.

Jules oversees the company's financial and operational management, ensuring top-tier recruitment and executive search services. With nearly two decades of experience in recruitment and corporate affairs, she also manages EA's Coaching & Mentoring network. Jules has completed a certificate in Counselling and pursued further studies in Counselling & Skills at Birkbeck.

Jules Shelley
Chief Executive
One Team
Connect

Gavin has over 25 years of headhunting experience, specialising in executive search for senior leaders. He advises global boards on appointing corporate affairs leaders, trade body CEOs, and communications experts. He is a Past Master and Honorary Court Assistant of the City of London Company of Communicators.

Gavin Ellwood
Executive Chair
Executive Search
Connect

Geraldine has 25+ years' headhunting experience, specialising in C-suite executive search for corporate communications, policy, and public affairs across corporates, charities, and regulators. A qualified solicitor, she has also held COO and HRD roles with global recruitment firms.

Geraldine Heatherington
Director
Executive Search
Connect

Bijal is an Associate Director and runs the finances of the company. She has worked in commercial finance since graduating from Durham with an Economics degree. She has over 20 years’ financial experience, 10 years of which have been in recruitment.

Bijal Vaucelles
Head of Finance
Finance & Operations
Connect

Olivia is an Associate Director and leads our Corporate & Regulatory Practice. She specialises in senior-level interim and permanent recruitment across communications, policy, and public affairs. Before this she led an interim recruitment team at a major London firm.

Olivia Grant
Associate Director
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Felicity leads the Health and Not-for-Profit team, delivering exceptional recruitment and search services. She consults on team structures, pay grades, and multi-hire projects. She recently launched ‘Parents in Corporate Affairs’ a network supporting parents returning to work.

Felicity Lowes
Associate Director
Health & NFP
Connect

Alec leads our Membership Practice, ensuring top talent for association and professional body leaders. He has a decade of experience recruiting senior policy, public affairs, and communications professionals. He previously worked for a FTSE-250 recruitment firm and in events, communications, and political research.

Alec Zetter
Head of Membership
Membership
Connect

Kate ensures the smooth and efficient functioning of the company and supports the Board with operational leadership. She has two decades of experience in SMEs, including 10 years as a high-level executive assistant within the property and recruitment sectors. 

Kate Stratford
Head of Operations
Finance & Operations
Connect

Naomi leads our Not-For-Profit and Education team, specialising in recruiting senior managers and directors in marketing, communications, and policy. She enjoys working with a broad range of clients which include large national charities, top universities, and small NGO’s.

Naomi Brown
Head of Not-for-Profit
Health & NFP
Connect

James has over a decade of experience recruiting communications and public affairs professionals across various sectors. He leads sales, account management, and appointing senior corporate affairs practitioners. During the Covid pandemic he was Head of Volunteering for our CommVolunteers initiative.

James Green
Associate Partner
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Catherine specialises in headhunting top talent in public affairs, policy, and external communications. She partners with private sector clients and regulatory bodies. She is a passionate advocate for career development, especially through her involvement with groups such as Women in Public Affairs. 

Catherine Almond
Managing Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Barry specialises in recruiting senior communications, policy, and public affairs professionals in health and life sciences across the UK, Europe, and globally. He previously worked in corporate and public affairs for a leading trade association and served as a Political Adviser to a Secretary of State.

Barry Hartness
Associate Partner
Health & NFP
Connect

Josh specialises in recruiting public affairs, research, policy, and communications professionals in health and life sciences. He previously worked at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), leading the Patient Organisation Forum, and served as a Senior Adviser to a Government Minister.

Josh Gray
Principal Consultant
Health & NFP
Connect

Rachel has 20 years of recruitment experience, specialising in interim roles in corporate and internal communications, public affairs, and public policy across various sectors. She previously worked in consumer PR for top communications consultancies, including Ketchum.

Rachel Smith
Principal Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Alex specialises in mid-senior level recruitment for policy, public affairs, and communications roles in health and life sciences. With three years of experience, he has built strong connections with regulators, membership bodies, and charities. Before this, he worked as an educator and academic mentor in the UK and Korea.

Alex Cannon
Senior Consultant
Health & NFP
Connect

Florence has nearly a decade of recruitment experience, specialising in mid to senior-level roles in communications, corporate affairs, and sustainability. She holds an MSc in Sustainable Development and has a background in HR and Customer Communications within the not-for-profit and professional services sectors.

Florence Goddard
Principal Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Naomi is a Principal Associate Consultant specialising in junior to mid-level recruitment for associations and professional bodies. She has multiple years of experience recruiting for roles in policy, fundraising, public affairs, communications, and events. Naomi joined after earning a BA in International Business Management from Cardiff University.

Naomi Sharma
Principal Associate Consultant
Membership
Connect

Caitlin is a Principal Associate Consultant specialising in junior to mid-level recruitment for associations and professional bodies. With years of experience in roles like policy, fundraising, public affairs, communications, and events, she joined Ellwood Atfield after earning a BA in International Relations and Politics, Political Communication from Cardiff University.

Caitlin Delaney
Principal Associate Consultant
Membership
Connect

Rebecca is a Principal Associate Consultant specialising in junior to mid-level roles in communications, public affairs, and policy. She works with our corporate and regulatory clients. Before joining Ellwood Atfield, she earned a Business Management BSc from Cardiff University.

Rebecca Kwan
Principal Associate Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Josh specialises in the recruitment of junior to mid-level public affairs, policy, and communications professionals in our Not-for-Profit team. Before this, he worked for a FTSE-250 agency recruiting for the public sector, and studied Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Josh Hill
Principal Associate Consultant
Health & NFP
Connect

Ellese is the Executive Assistant to the Search Practice, ensuring smooth assignment delivery. She completed an MBA in 2023, focusing on sustainability and green supply chain management. Before relocating to London, she was an Executive Assistant at a renowned Hollywood talent agency.

Ellese Padilla
Executive Assistant
Executive Search
Connect

Harry supports the smooth delivery of the company’s back-office work. Before joining Ellwood Atfield, Harry worked in accountancy practice. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics from Loughborough University.

Harry Fairman
Finance & Operations Assistant
Finance & Operations
Connect

Ben joined in 2005 and grew the business over 18 years to become a 100% employee-owned company leading in communications and advocacy recruitment. After the company became employee-owned in 2023, he became a senior adviser to the Board. 

Ben Atfield
Senior Adviser
Senior Advisors
Connect

Geraldine joined in 2009 to lead the executive search practice and was later appointed Chairman. After the company became employee-owned in 2023, she became a senior adviser to the Board. Before this, she spent 16 years in corporate affairs roles, including Director of Corporate Communications at Lloyds TSB Group and Director of Corporate Relations on the ExCo at Prudential Plc.

Geraldine Davies
Senior Adviser
Senior Advisors
Connect

Gavin has over 25 years of headhunting experience, specialising in executive search for senior leaders. He advises global boards on appointing corporate affairs leaders, trade body CEOs, and communications experts. He is a Past Master and Honorary Court Assistant of the City of London Company of Communicators.

Gavin Ellwood
Executive Chair
Executive Search
Connect

Geraldine has 25+ years' headhunting experience, specialising in C-suite executive search for corporate communications, policy, and public affairs across corporates, charities, and regulators. A qualified solicitor, she has also held COO and HRD roles with global recruitment firms.

Geraldine Heatherington
Director
Executive Search
Connect

Ellese is the Executive Assistant to the Search Practice, ensuring smooth assignment delivery. She completed an MBA in 2023, focusing on sustainability and green supply chain management. Before relocating to London, she was an Executive Assistant at a renowned Hollywood talent agency.

Ellese Padilla
Executive Assistant
Executive Search
Connect

Olivia is an Associate Director and leads our Corporate & Regulatory Practice. She specialises in senior-level interim and permanent recruitment across communications, policy, and public affairs. Before this she led an interim recruitment team at a major London firm.

Olivia Grant
Associate Director
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

James has over a decade of experience recruiting communications and public affairs professionals across various sectors. He leads sales, account management, and appointing senior corporate affairs practitioners. During the Covid pandemic he was Head of Volunteering for our CommVolunteers initiative.

James Green
Associate Partner
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Catherine specialises in headhunting top talent in public affairs, policy, and external communications. She partners with private sector clients and regulatory bodies. She is a passionate advocate for career development, especially through her involvement with groups such as Women in Public Affairs. 

Catherine Almond
Managing Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Rachel has 20 years of recruitment experience, specialising in interim roles in corporate and internal communications, public affairs, and public policy across various sectors. She previously worked in consumer PR for top communications consultancies, including Ketchum.

Rachel Smith
Principal Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Florence has nearly a decade of recruitment experience, specialising in mid to senior-level roles in communications, corporate affairs, and sustainability. She holds an MSc in Sustainable Development and has a background in HR and Customer Communications within the not-for-profit and professional services sectors.

Florence Goddard
Principal Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Rebecca is a Principal Associate Consultant specialising in junior to mid-level roles in communications, public affairs, and policy. She works with our corporate and regulatory clients. Before joining Ellwood Atfield, she earned a Business Management BSc from Cardiff University.

Rebecca Kwan
Principal Associate Consultant
Corporate & Regulatory
Connect

Alec leads our Membership Practice, ensuring top talent for association and professional body leaders. He has a decade of experience recruiting senior policy, public affairs, and communications professionals. He previously worked for a FTSE-250 recruitment firm and in events, communications, and political research.

Alec Zetter
Head of Membership
Membership
Connect

Naomi is a Principal Associate Consultant specialising in junior to mid-level recruitment for associations and professional bodies. She has multiple years of experience recruiting for roles in policy, fundraising, public affairs, communications, and events. Naomi joined after earning a BA in International Business Management from Cardiff University.

Naomi Sharma
Principal Associate Consultant
Membership
Connect

Caitlin is a Principal Associate Consultant specialising in junior to mid-level recruitment for associations and professional bodies. With years of experience in roles like policy, fundraising, public affairs, communications, and events, she joined Ellwood Atfield after earning a BA in International Relations and Politics, Political Communication from Cardiff University.

Caitlin Delaney
Principal Associate Consultant
Membership
Connect

Felicity leads the Health and Not-for-Profit team, delivering exceptional recruitment and search services. She consults on team structures, pay grades, and multi-hire projects. She recently launched ‘Parents in Corporate Affairs’ a network supporting parents returning to work.

Felicity Lowes
Associate Director
Health & NFP
Connect

Naomi leads our Not-For-Profit and Education team, specialising in recruiting senior managers and directors in marketing, communications, and policy. She enjoys working with a broad range of clients which include large national charities, top universities, and small NGO’s.

Naomi Brown
Head of Not-for-Profit
Health & NFP
Connect

Barry specialises in recruiting senior communications, policy, and public affairs professionals in health and life sciences across the UK, Europe, and globally. He previously worked in corporate and public affairs for a leading trade association and served as a Political Adviser to a Secretary of State.

Barry Hartness
Associate Partner
Health & NFP
Connect

Josh specialises in recruiting public affairs, research, policy, and communications professionals in health and life sciences. He previously worked at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), leading the Patient Organisation Forum, and served as a Senior Adviser to a Government Minister.

Josh Gray
Principal Consultant
Health & NFP
Connect

Alex specialises in mid-senior level recruitment for policy, public affairs, and communications roles in health and life sciences. With three years of experience, he has built strong connections with regulators, membership bodies, and charities. Before this, he worked as an educator and academic mentor in the UK and Korea.

Alex Cannon
Senior Consultant
Health & NFP
Connect

Josh specialises in the recruitment of junior to mid-level public affairs, policy, and communications professionals in our Not-for-Profit team. Before this, he worked for a FTSE-250 agency recruiting for the public sector, and studied Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Josh Hill
Principal Associate Consultant
Health & NFP
Connect

Bijal is an Associate Director and runs the finances of the company. She has worked in commercial finance since graduating from Durham with an Economics degree. She has over 20 years’ financial experience, 10 years of which have been in recruitment.

Bijal Vaucelles
Head of Finance
Finance & Operations
Connect

Kate ensures the smooth and efficient functioning of the company and supports the Board with operational leadership. She has two decades of experience in SMEs, including 10 years as a high-level executive assistant within the property and recruitment sectors. 

Kate Stratford
Head of Operations
Finance & Operations
Connect

Ellese is the Executive Assistant to the Search Practice, ensuring smooth assignment delivery. She completed an MBA in 2023, focusing on sustainability and green supply chain management. Before relocating to London, she was an Executive Assistant at a renowned Hollywood talent agency.

Ellese Padilla
Executive Assistant
Finance & Operations
Connect

Harry supports the smooth delivery of the company’s back-office work. Before joining Ellwood Atfield, Harry worked in accountancy practice. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics from Loughborough University.

Harry Fairman
Finance & Operations Assistant
Finance & Operations
Connect

Ben joined in 2005 and grew the business over 18 years to become a 100% employee-owned company leading in communications and advocacy recruitment. After the company became employee-owned in 2023, he became a senior adviser to the Board. 

Ben Atfield
Senior Adviser
Senior Advisors
Connect

Geraldine joined in 2009 to lead the executive search practice and was later appointed Chairman. After the company became employee-owned in 2023, she became a senior adviser to the Board. Before this, she spent 16 years in corporate affairs roles, including Director of Corporate Communications at Lloyds TSB Group and Director of Corporate Relations on the ExCo at Prudential Plc.

Geraldine Davies
Senior Adviser
Senior Advisors
Connect

Want to join us and be a co-owner?

Interested in joining? Speak with us about our open positions at Ellwood Atfield