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.
COLETTE MORAN
Principal
With a BEng in Chemical Engineering, Colette spent 6 years with Air Liquide in Project and Product Management roles in Canada and France.
She completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau in 1995, and then moved into management consulting with CSC Index in London. She then joined Diageo in a Strategic Business Development role before moving into Executive Search, initially with a boutique technology sector firm, and then from the start of 2006 with Holker Watkin.
Principal
With a BEng in Chemical Engineering, Colette spent 6 years with Air Liquide in Project and Product Management roles in Canada and France.
She completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau in 1995, and then moved into management consulting with CSC Index in London. She then joined Diageo in a Strategic Business Development role before moving into Executive Search, initially with a boutique technology sector firm, and then from the start of 2006 with Holker Watkin.
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
Principal
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.
Principal
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
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, financial services and healthcare.
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, financial services and healthcare.
SUSIE HALL
Research and Office Manager
Originally from South Australia where she worked as a supervisor and events organiser in a hotel, Susie moved to the UK in 2001. She then spent six years working for a major hotel chain through a number of management roles, eventually becoming a Hotel Assistant Manager with a wide range of responsibilities including Human Resources, Client Relations and Finance & Administration.
Susie then joined Holker Watkin in 2007 as Office Manager.
Research and Office Manager
Originally from South Australia where she worked as a supervisor and events organiser in a hotel, Susie moved to the UK in 2001. She then spent six years working for a major hotel chain through a number of management roles, eventually becoming a Hotel Assistant Manager with a wide range of responsibilities including Human Resources, Client Relations and Finance & Administration.
Susie then joined Holker Watkin in 2007 as Office Manager.
AMBER CAMERON
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
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
KERRYN SMITH
Research & Data Manager
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 as Research and Data Manager.
Research & Data Manager
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 as Research and Data Manager.
- David Watkin Managing Director and co-founder
- Anna Persin Managing Director and co-founder
- Justin Holker Managing Director and co-founder
- Colette Moran Principal
- Siwan Jones Principal
- Nicholas Coppin Principal
- David Alty Consultant
- Amber Cameron Consultant
- Susie Hall Research and Office Manager
- Kerryn Smith Research & Data Manager
