Our Team

James joined Maven’s London office as  Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the US, EMEA and APAC entities. Prior to this, James worked at UBS Investment Bank where he latterly managed the EMEA Investment Banking Recruitment team and Global Markets Recruitment team. In these roles he worked closely with the senior leadership of the business as well as on projects across Diversity & Inclusion and assisting in the launch of the apprenticeship program in the UK. 

In 2004, James graduated with an honour’s degree in Business Studies before working at global executive search firms focussing on the financial markets. 

Tom joined Maven in February 2022 to further build and lead the Quantitative Finance, Technology & Data team. Tom’s work is defined by true headhunting with absolute discretion, and he has proven this during his involvement in securing the movements of some of the brightest and most influential technologists in the industry. 

Prior to joining Maven, Tom built his career in executive search specialising in technology roles, where he demonstrated his ability in successfully delivering on global senior and lead technology searches for a variety of financial institutions including hedge funds, high-frequency trading firms, and investment banks. A keen sportsperson, having competed nationally at cricket and football, Tom devotes his weekends to lowering his golf handicap.  

Wendy joined Maven in August 2021 from Caldwell Partners where she was a member of the global Financial Services & Private Equity Practice. After two years as a Partner in the Investment Banking team, she became our Head of People in September 2023 with an internal focus on leading learning, development and mentoring across all levels of our teams globally, and an external focus on the search for the best talent to join Maven. 

She began her career in Equity Sales for a major European Investment Bank and moved into executive search in 1998, setting up the Equities practice for a London boutique, before co-founding her own firm in 2013.  A lover of the outdoors, Wendy spends as much time as she can running, walking her dog, and cheering on her two boys from the side of a cold and muddy sports pitch. She read Modern Languages at the University of Bristol and speaks German and French.

Tom joined Maven's London office as a Principal in May 2023, as part of the Quantitative Finance, Technology & Data business. His role involves partnering with hedge funds, private equity firms, and venture capital firms to support impactful emerging tech-focused "centre of excellence" units and AI lab build-outs.

Prior to joining Maven, Tom was an Associate Director at Robert Walters, where he built the technology business with teams covering Research Science, Applied Analytics, Product, and InfoSec. These teams focused on identifying initial functional hires and strategic leadership for early-stage, venture-backed startups. Tom has also worked in the Netherlands and Hong Kong. He values the collaborative relationships he has built with top universities and their alumni networks.

In his personal time, Tom enjoys spending time with his young family, working on improving his "very average" golf handicap, and exploring new international cuisines.

After reluctantly dropping his teenaged ambition to play tighthead prop for Scotland, Angus joined Maven in 2018. Having cut his teeth in US our Investment Banking practice, he now leads the firm’s efforts to stay at the cutting edge of innovation within Executive Search through use of careful and precise Data Analytics.

An enthusiastic techie and budding chef with a penchant for holidays in the Hamptons, Angus obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Marketing from Aston University.

Emily is a member of Maven’s Quant, Technology and Data business and has a wealth of experience collaborating with Investment Banks, Hedge Funds and Proprietary Trading firms to support growth and strategically add top technology talent. Emily focuses on connecting top-tier talent with opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge trading strategies, developing mission-critical and revenue-generating platforms. She places highly skilled professionals, ranging from Software Engineers and Quantitative Developers to Data Engineers and Executive-Level hires. 

In addition to facilitating business talent acquisition, Emily is deeply committed to championing diversity and inclusion, particularly in neurodiversity. Emily has actively contributed to increasing awareness and understanding within this space. Outside of work, Emily is passionate about creative arts, fashion, exploring new destinations, the ocean, and sports.

Jade joined Maven as a Consultant in November 2022 as part of the Quantitative Finance, Technology & Data team, where she focuses on projects across Infrastructure & Site Reliability Engineering. With over six years’ experience in the industry, Jade started her career at a boutique executive search firm, where she was responsible for placing senior-level executives in the Commodities Trading space for buy-side Financial Services clients. 

Prior to joining Maven, Jade was responsible for developing the executive search arm at a boutique search firm, focusing on senior Technology appointments within Financial Services. As a true foodie, she usually spends her free time trying out new restaurants around London or finding new recipes to make. 
Jade holds a Bachelor’s degree in Culture, Politics & International Business Diplomacy from the University of Georgetown.

Olly Thompson runs Maven’s global technology business. With almost a decade of experience building specialist search teams to service the systematic trading industry, he joins Maven to expand our service offering in technology, and to specialise on strategic, leadership level talent. Olly’s track record with both C-Suite and senior leadership placements, as well as corporate intelligence projects, compliments Maven’s QTD business; allowing the division to offer both individual and team-based search mandates. The team’s core specialisms include Software Engineering, Quant Development, Research Engineering and Infrastructure.  

Olly splits his free time between his partner, their dog Pippa, and the golf course. He supports several charitable organisations focused on providing Education and support to children West Africa, including paying for water for the entire village of Frankadua in Ghana.

Zack joined Maven’s Quantitative Finance, Technology & Data team in October 2022 to build out our coverage across Quant Finance, Technology & Data, where he focuses on projects across Quant Development & Software Engineering. Before joining Maven, Zack previously worked at a multi-national recruitment agency where he successfully built a Quantitative Development practice. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business & Commerce from Bentley University. 

If you cannot find Zack at work, he is most likely traveling, playing sports, practicing his photography or enjoying the latest blockbuster.  

Dev joined Maven’s Quantitative Finance, Technology & Data team in 2023, covering projects across EMEA and Americas. Before Maven, Dev divided his time between different sectors, but most recently, he was one of the Top Senior consultants at a global FTSE 250 company, specialising in DevOps and Cloud Engineering within Financial Services.  

Originally from Hong Kong, and spending his teenage years at a British boarding school, he studied Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of West England.

An avid DJ and music lover, Dev spends his free time curating new set lists, watching football or playing golf.

Elliott joined Maven in January 2024 to help grow their Quantitative Finance, Technology & Data Business by connecting tech-focused hedge funds, deep tech growth companies and venture capital firms with Machine Learning & Deep Learning specialists as they strive to build world-class AI teams.

Prior to joining Maven, Elliott was a Principal Consultant in the Technology division of a FTSE 250 global recruitment firm. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Warwick Business School.

In his spare time, Elliott is most likely running, reading, or improving his skills as a DJ.

Ben joined Maven's Quantitative Finance, Technology & Data team in 2024 covering global buy-side clients as part of the Quant practice.

Prior to joining Maven, Ben worked on placing senior investment professionals across the financial services industry at a boutique search firm.

Outside of the office you can find Ben enjoying a round of golf, at a new restaurant, or soaking up the sun.

Having joined Maven in 2022, Michael works in our Quant, Technology and Data team, covering searches across EMEA and the Americas.

After studying Mathematics at Oxford and before moving into recruitment, Michael worked for a leading UK Chartered Accountants.

Michael is passionate about inclusion, and was LGBTQ rep for his college, organising and hosting multiple events to champion gender equality. When not at work, he spends his time swimming, practicing martial arts and trying his hand at amateur dramatics.

Harry joined Maven’s Quant, Technology & Data team in December. He focuses on the high frequency and proprietary trading industries, working with some of the leading talent and clients in this space. Prior to joining Maven, Harry had a 3-year career as a professional cricket player for his childhood club Northamptonshire, where he experienced the highs and lows of professional sport. He holds a Business Management degree from Loughborough University. 

His free time is spent back home, either on a golf course, a cricket pitch, discovering new pubs or spending time with family and friends.

Since joining in 2023, Max has offered his expertise across the firm to improve Maven’s capabilities in all the data driven aspects of executive search; from creating systems and automations to help the teams internally, to building visualisations of Maven’s data for better presentation to clients. Before joining Maven, Max honed his skills at 42 Network, where he developed a passion for conceptualising and building advanced data-mining and automation systems.

Outside of work and driven by an unwavering curiosity about the world, Max continually seeks out new, unique, challenges. Whether it's unicycle hockey, competitive wheelbarrow racing, or showcasing his love for cuisine in master chef competitions, he approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm.

Ivy joined Maven in January 2019 as assistant to Gaurav Sethi and Will Hannaford, with the added mandate of streamlining global operational processes. Prior to joining Maven, she was Executive Assistant at a global executive search firm, driving the European Women’s Employee Resource Group initiative, and being named Financial Services EA of the Year. Ivy has also spearheaded operations at a renowned media agency and been a studio manager at a leading digital design studio.

In 2023, Ivy joined James Rudofsky in managing operations globally, with a focus on human resources, systems & culture. 

Outside the office, Ivy is most passionate about being with family, in London & Australia, tattooing & music. She completed A-Levels in Adelaide – and gained a top 20 hit in the Australian singles charts – before relocating to the UK in 2000.

Sabrina joined Maven in 2022 as assistant to Will Hannaford, with the added responsibility of supporting the leadership of the firm based in EMEA. Prior to joining Maven, Sabrina was a Department Head at a nationwide bespoke furniture design company and earlier spent several years running Events at the Goodwood Estate in Sussex.

Splitting her time between London and the sunny south coast of England, Sabrina spends her time enjoying the great outdoors (with her husband and dog trying to keep up), although is equally renowned for her prowess at a dinner party and on the dance floor. A keen traveller, she also visited over 25 countries before reaching the age of 25.

Sheldon joined Maven’s New York office as an Executive Assistant to founder, Gaurav Sethi. Previously he worked at one of the SHREK firms, where he supported the Global Head of Investment Management. He has over a decade of experience in this field.  

Sheldon earned his BA in Public Relations at the University of Northern Iowa - where he is originally from - before moving to New York.  

Outside of the office, Sheldon is a passionate cook, experimenting with new recipes and creating home-made vegan food.  

Del-Ann joined Maven in 2023 as Executive Assistant & Project Coordinator in US IB. Prior to joining Maven, she worked as a Project Coordinator and Executive Assistant at Russell Reynolds Associates. Del-Ann graduated from Stonybrook University where she earned a BS in Health Science.

As well as an interest in reading and fitness, Del-Ann is passionate about travel and has visited over 25 countries!

In 2024, Shaylin joined Maven as a Project Coordinator within the Quantitative, Technology, and Data team. Prior to joining Maven, she served as an Executive Assistant to the EVP of Investments and Energy at a private investment company. Shaylin proudly holds a BA in Communications from the University of Central Florida.

Beyond the office, Shaylin's vibrant spirit comes to life as she immerses herself in discovering new culinary delights, traversing the globe, losing herself in the pages of captivating books and participating in the Peloton Community.

Nataliia joined Maven in September 2022 as a Data Entry Administrator to assist the team in maintaining Maven’s database keeping it accurate, comprehensive, and up to date.

Prior to joining Maven, she was a reporter at a global news agency covering Ukraine’s economy, finance, and banking sector. Her many years of journalistic experience in searching news and facts has helped her master the role and become a reliable teammate.

Originally from Ukraine, Nataliia graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University with an honors degree in Journalism and later earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Kyiv International Institute of Management.

Passionate about art and culture, Nataliia enjoys her time in London, taking every opportunity to visit museums, theatres, explore charming parks and gardens as well as learn rich British traditions.