DAVID WATKIN
Managing Director and Co-founder
With a BSc in Civil Engineering and a year in the construction industry, Dave spent 5 years with Esso Petroleum UK in various line management roles. He then joined The 2000 Group plc, an IT search and selection business, where he specialised in recruiting computer networking professionals.
After completing an MBA at INSEAD in 1993, he entered management consulting, initially as a Manager with CSC Index, and subsequently running his own business, working with clients like AstraZeneca, Shell and Citibank in Europe and the US.
Dave founded Holker Watkin in early 1999.
Managing Director and Co-founder
With a BSc in Civil Engineering and a year in the construction industry, Dave spent 5 years with Esso Petroleum UK in various line management roles. He then joined The 2000 Group plc, an IT search and selection business, where he specialised in recruiting computer networking professionals.
After completing an MBA at INSEAD in 1993, he entered management consulting, initially as a Manager with CSC Index, and subsequently running his own business, working with clients like AstraZeneca, Shell and Citibank in Europe and the US.
Dave founded Holker Watkin in early 1999.
ANNA PERSIN
Managing Director and Co-founder
With a BSc in Chemistry, Anna spent 7 years with Esso Petroleum UK in various line management roles spanning IT, Marketing and Strategy.
She completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau in 1993, before moving into strategy consulting, initially with OC&C and then as Manager in Marakon. She advised clients in FMCG and Financial Services across Europe. Anna joined Holker Watkin full time as Managing Director in early 2000.
Managing Director and Co-founder
With a BSc in Chemistry, Anna spent 7 years with Esso Petroleum UK in various line management roles spanning IT, Marketing and Strategy.
She completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau in 1993, before moving into strategy consulting, initially with OC&C and then as Manager in Marakon. She advised clients in FMCG and Financial Services across Europe. Anna joined Holker Watkin full time as Managing Director in early 2000.
JUSTIN HOLKER
Managing Director and Co-founder of Holker Watkin
With a BSc in Chemistry, Justin spent 7 years with Esso Petroleum UK in various line management roles spanning IT, Operational Management, Supply Logistics, Marketing and Retailing.
He completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau in 1994, and then joined Pepsico, undertaking a number of marketing and business development roles, culminating in a board position with Pepsico Restaurants International as Development Director in the UK. He then joined the board of Pret a Manger as Executive Director responsible for new store growth. Justin joined Holker Watkin full time as Managing Director in early 2000.
Managing Director and Co-founder of Holker Watkin
With a BSc in Chemistry, Justin spent 7 years with Esso Petroleum UK in various line management roles spanning IT, Operational Management, Supply Logistics, Marketing and Retailing.
He completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau in 1994, and then joined Pepsico, undertaking a number of marketing and business development roles, culminating in a board position with Pepsico Restaurants International as Development Director in the UK. He then joined the board of Pret a Manger as Executive Director responsible for new store growth. Justin joined Holker Watkin full time as Managing Director in early 2000.
SIWAN JONES
Principal
Siwan graduated from Cambridge with a MA in Russian and German before starting her career in search with a small executive search firm focused on recruiting for global strategy houses, niche consulting firms and corporate clients in the UK, Europe and the US.
She joined Holker Watkin in 2003 and has worked with clients across sectors including financial services, retail, media, internet, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and publishing, on assignments at all levels, hiring into strategy, corporate development and strategic marketing roles, often on a pan-European basis.
In July 2005 Siwan went to the US with her husband's work commitments, then gained experience of in-house recruitment at Google, where she helped build up the senior management teams in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, before rejoining Holker Watkin in July 2006.
Principal
Siwan graduated from Cambridge with a MA in Russian and German before starting her career in search with a small executive search firm focused on recruiting for global strategy houses, niche consulting firms and corporate clients in the UK, Europe and the US.
She joined Holker Watkin in 2003 and has worked with clients across sectors including financial services, retail, media, internet, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and publishing, on assignments at all levels, hiring into strategy, corporate development and strategic marketing roles, often on a pan-European basis.
In July 2005 Siwan went to the US with her husband's work commitments, then gained experience of in-house recruitment at Google, where she helped build up the senior management teams in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, before rejoining Holker Watkin in July 2006.
NICHOLAS COPPIN
Associate Director
With a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate (Valuation and Management), Nick qualified as a Chartered Surveyor two years after graduating from University. He spent six years in the profession, culminating as a Property Investment Fund Manager for a City Institution.
He moved into Executive Search in 1998, working closely with telecoms clients on senior executive positions. In 2002 he shifted focus on to strategy and corporate development posts - first for management consultancies, then for leading industry brands across sectors. Nick joined Holker Watkin in 2006.
Associate Director
With a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate (Valuation and Management), Nick qualified as a Chartered Surveyor two years after graduating from University. He spent six years in the profession, culminating as a Property Investment Fund Manager for a City Institution.
He moved into Executive Search in 1998, working closely with telecoms clients on senior executive positions. In 2002 he shifted focus on to strategy and corporate development posts - first for management consultancies, then for leading industry brands across sectors. Nick joined Holker Watkin in 2006.
DAVID ALTY
Senior Consultant
David graduated from Durham University in 2005 with a BA in Philosophy before staying on for a further year to complete his Masters. He then spent a year on a management training programme in the car-rental industry.
David joined Holker Watkin in early 2008 and has since worked on assignments in retail, FMCG, media, financial services, healthcare, advertising and hospitality.
Senior Consultant
David graduated from Durham University in 2005 with a BA in Philosophy before staying on for a further year to complete his Masters. He then spent a year on a management training programme in the car-rental industry.
David joined Holker Watkin in early 2008 and has since worked on assignments in retail, FMCG, media, financial services, healthcare, advertising and hospitality.
LAUREN MILLER
Office Manager
Originally from New Zealand, Lauren worked as a manager for a music store chain then as a Customer Training Analyst for a well known photocopier manufacturer, before coming to the UK in 2008. Since arriving in the UK Lauren worked in the care industry for clients throughout the country, before joining Holker Watkin in March 2011 as our Office Manager.
Office Manager
Originally from New Zealand, Lauren worked as a manager for a music store chain then as a Customer Training Analyst for a well known photocopier manufacturer, before coming to the UK in 2008. Since arriving in the UK Lauren worked in the care industry for clients throughout the country, before joining Holker Watkin in March 2011 as our Office Manager.
JONATHAN EWING
Data Manager
Before joining Holker Watkin, Jonathan spent four years working for Hays Specialist Recruitment in a number of different data administration positions. Jonathan joined us April 2011 as Data Manager.
Data Manager
Before joining Holker Watkin, Jonathan spent four years working for Hays Specialist Recruitment in a number of different data administration positions. Jonathan joined us April 2011 as Data Manager.
AMBER CAMERON
Senior Consultant
Amber graduated from Swarthmore College in the USA in 2005 with a BA in Mathematics and Psychology. She then moved to New York City, working as a quality controller for an online publishing company.
After traveling for one year she came to the UK to pursue an MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology at the London School of Economics, graduating in December 2009. She joined Holker Watkin in early 2010
Senior Consultant
Amber graduated from Swarthmore College in the USA in 2005 with a BA in Mathematics and Psychology. She then moved to New York City, working as a quality controller for an online publishing company.
After traveling for one year she came to the UK to pursue an MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology at the London School of Economics, graduating in December 2009. She joined Holker Watkin in early 2010
CIAN O'MORAIN
Consultant
Cian graduated from Trinity College, Dublin in 2007 with a BA in Economics and History. He then spent a year in Dublin working and travelling before undertaking an MSc in Economics at the University of Warwick.
After graduating in January 2010 he returned to Ireland for six months to work in a government body promoting Irish language education, before starting with Holker Watkin in August 2010.
Consultant
Cian graduated from Trinity College, Dublin in 2007 with a BA in Economics and History. He then spent a year in Dublin working and travelling before undertaking an MSc in Economics at the University of Warwick.
After graduating in January 2010 he returned to Ireland for six months to work in a government body promoting Irish language education, before starting with Holker Watkin in August 2010.
LEESA CAMPBELL-COLQUHOUN
Senior Consultant
Originally from Hong Kong and Shanghai, Leesa moved to London before beginning her secondary education.
Leesa joined Holker Watkin in September 2010 as a graduate from Oxford University (Trinity College) with a BA(Hons) in Classics, having had previous work experience primarily based in corporate law.
Senior Consultant
Originally from Hong Kong and Shanghai, Leesa moved to London before beginning her secondary education.
Leesa joined Holker Watkin in September 2010 as a graduate from Oxford University (Trinity College) with a BA(Hons) in Classics, having had previous work experience primarily based in corporate law.
ADAM REDA
Consultant
Adam graduated with an LLB(Hons) in Law from Durham University in June 2011. He joined Holker Watkin shortly after, and his previous experience was mainly based in the legal and not-for-profit sectors.
Consultant
Adam graduated with an LLB(Hons) in Law from Durham University in June 2011. He joined Holker Watkin shortly after, and his previous experience was mainly based in the legal and not-for-profit sectors.
KERRYN SMITH
Researcher
Originally from Durban in South Africa, Kerryn previously worked as Technical Administrator for a train company operating in the South West of England and as Installations Manager for a bespoke kitchen company in South Africa.
Kerryn came to the UK in early 2009 and joined Holker Watkin, initially as Data Manager, and then in her current role of Researcher.
Researcher
Originally from Durban in South Africa, Kerryn previously worked as Technical Administrator for a train company operating in the South West of England and as Installations Manager for a bespoke kitchen company in South Africa.
Kerryn came to the UK in early 2009 and joined Holker Watkin, initially as Data Manager, and then in her current role of Researcher.
- David Watkin Managing Director and co-founder
- Anna Persin Managing Director and co-founder
- Justin Holker Managing Director and co-founder
- Nicholas Coppin Associate Director
- Siwan Jones Principal
- David Alty Senior Consultant
- Amber Cameron Senior Consultant
- Leesa Campbell-Colquhoun Senior Consultant
- Cian O'Morain Consultant
- Adam Reda Consultant
- Kerryn Smith Researcher
- Lauren Miller Office Manager
- Jonathan Ewing Data Manager
