Group Structure & History

Norman Broadbent Plc (formerly Garner Plc) was created as the result of a reverse takeover of a listed Plc in 1998 by Garner International. Building on substantial growth over recent years, the Board of Garner Plc completed the acquisition of the long established search brand Norman Broadbent in December 2008 to provide the Plc with a global footprint. As a leading provider of executive search and leadership consultancy services, Norman Broadbent operates at the very senior end of leadership and talent identification at board level.

Norman Broadbent Plc extended its executive search offering in September 2010 by establishing a successful Board level interim Practice through NB: Board Interim.

In December 2010 Norman Broadbent Plc acquired the business and assets of HADIL: Human Asset Development International Limited ("HADIL"), the established and highly-regarded provider of psychological assessment, talent audit, executive coaching and applied research services.  HADIL remains separate from the executive search services provided by the Group in order to present an independent and objective consulting offering.

Board of Directors

Executive Chairman - Pierce Casey

Born in 1955, Pierce is an entrepreneur and private equity specialist and is a past director of DCC, Apax Partners & Co. and Alchemy Venture Partners Ltd.  He has been founder and/or chairman of several successful businesses, a number of which subsequently floated in London and Frankfurt, including Fayrewood plc, ComputerLinks AG and Imprint plc.  He chairs his own investment office, Adelaide Capital Limited and is chairman or a director of several companies, including Ennismore European Smaller Companies Hedge Fund.  He has a successful record of co-founding, chairing and disposing of or floating recruitment companies, such as Walker Hamill Limited and Imprint plc.  He joined the Norman Broadbent plc Board as Chairman in June 2010.

Group Managing Director - Sue O'Brien

Born in 1965, Sue O'Brien is Group Managing Director of Norman Broadbent Plc, and CEO of the Norman Broadbent search business. Sue is actively involved in executive search, HR coaching and consultancy. Before her career in executive search, she held senior management positions in the retail sector, including Sainsbury's and the Kingswood Group, where she was Managing Director.

Chief Financial Officer - Ben Felton

Born in 1981, Ben qualified as a chartered accountant with FW Stephens and then worked for UBS Investment Bank in the fixed income, currency & commodities division before joining the Company in January 2009 as finance director.  He joined the Norman Broadbent plc Board as CFO in June 2010.

Group Services Director - Jan Cameron

Born in 1963, Jan Cameron has worked for the Group in operations since January 2006 and joined the Norman Broadbent plc Board in June 2010. Prior to joining the Company in 2006, she had been head of human resources for Homebase Limited and, before that, held various HR roles both specialist and generalist, in J Sainsbury plc for 14 years. She has been a lay member of the Reading Employment Tribunal since October 2005.

Non-executive Director - Richard Robinson

Born in 1948, Richard has served on the Norman Broadbent Plc Board as Company Secretary on behalf of Anderson Barrowcliff Chartered Accountants, and has been a Non-executive Director since 1998. Richard is the Senior Partner at Anderson Barrowcliff Chartered Accountants, heading up the Corporate Finance team. He specialises in acquisitions, sales, mergers, capital reconstructions and international fund raising. Richard has also served on the boards of BDMC Ltd, Cornpath Ltd and Dukedom Ltd. Richard is a past president of the UK 200 Group and Deputy Chairman of The East India Club in London.

Non-executive Director - Bruce Lakefield

Born in 1944, Bruce has served on the Norman Broadbent Plc Board since 2000. Previous career highlights include his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of US Airways Group and US Airways from April 2004 until completion of the merger and he has served as a Director of US Airways Group and US Airways since 2003. Since the merger, Bruce has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of US Airways Group, US Airways, America West Holdings and AWA. Bruce also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lehman Brothers International from 1995 until 1999, as well as being a Senior Advisor to the Investment Policy Committee of HGK Asset Management from 2000 until April 2004. He is also a Director of Magic Media, Inc.

Non-executive Director - Brian Stephens

Born in 1955, Brian is a chartered accountant with wide-ranging experience in private equity and mergers and acquisitions. He was previously a director of Alchemy Venture Partners Limited and NCB Corporate Finance and spent six years with Allied Irish Banks' private equity arm in Dublin and London. He joined the Norman Broadbent plc Board in June 2010.

Sub Committees

Corporate Governance

The Company is committed to the principle and application of sound corporate governance.A description of the Group’s approach to corporate governance is provided in the Corporate Governance section of the Group’s Annual Report  

Professional Advisers