Perrett Laver is a world-leading executive search firm, offering highly specialised and cross-sectoral search services for senior appointments across research and innovation-focused organisations.
We support universities and research institutes globally to appoint world-class research leaders. We also work with a wide array of commercial science and research organisations, including large industry, Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and innovation-focused Public Private Partnerships, in making outstanding strategic research and organisational leadership appointments.
Clients benefit from our unique blend of analytic tools, wide network and deep sector expertise, enabling us to identify exceptional candidates for strategic research leadership roles.
We’ve advised on over 1,000 professorial appointments across all disciplines. Our rigorous and robust methodology identifies, engages and secures exceptional research talent for universities all over the world.
The global nature of our work is intrinsic to success. We support research-intensive and research-ambitious universities and leading research institutes across the globe.. Our extensive network and cross-sectoral approach uniquely positions us to seek out talent from beyond traditional boundaries.
We rely on a proprietary analytics model for the identification and screening of candidates developed by our team of in-house researchers, many of whom have previously held research posts in academia.
Governments and funding bodies are demanding greater evidence of research impact. The rapid conversion of outcomes into economic value has become essential for maintaining national competitiveness in the global economy.
Perrett Laver advises on senior leadership appointments for the translation and commercialisation of research within universities, research institutes, and other innovation-driven organisations.
With deep expertise in identifying and placing leaders across academia, we search beyond borders to find talented executives who can drive innovation and commercialise academic research effectively.
The unique, impact-driven mission of RTOs needs innovative and adaptable leaders. Success in these roles also demands the ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, including industry partners, government bodies, and academic institutions.
Perrett Laver has a strong track record in identifying and recruiting leaders for Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and other research-focused entities.
Our meticulous approach is designed to identify visionary leaders who will make significant contributions to research, innovation, and societal impact.
As the need for cross-sector collaboration grows, identifying the next generation of innovative scientific leaders becomes essential for maintaining competitive advantage and fostering sustainable growth.
Perrett Laver supports private-sector science and research-based organisations, RTOs, and innovation catalysers in making outstanding scientific and organisational leadership appointments.
Our extensive network, coupled with deep industry knowledge, enables us to identify and attract top-tier talent with the technical expertise, strategic vision, and leadership qualities required to excel in senior R&D roles.
AI and Data Science have emerged as transformative technologies that now play a pivotal role in research and innovation. From healthcare to finance, AI enhances efficiency, accuracy, and predictive capabilities.
Because of this, there is huge investment in the space and demand for talent in AI research is experiencing significant growth. This is driven by rapid advancements in technology and the widespread adoption of AI.
The competition for talent from industry and academia is high. Our team of dedicated executive search experts have the network, expertise and depth of knowledge across the AI landscape to uncover the best quality, diverse talent pools.
As Global Senior Partner, Sinéad is responsible for the long-term strategic development of Perrett Laver alongside the acceleration of its commercial growth.
During her ten years at Perrett Laver, Sinéad established and led the firm’s operations in Amsterdam and Dublin, while continuing to grow Perrett Laver’s Research, Technology and Innovation, and Higher Education practices across Europe.
Sinéad’s experience at Perrett Laver includes advising on senior executive and non-executive appointments for universities, public and privately funded research institutes, as well as research-oriented charities and non-profits.
Sinéad holds an honours degree in Natural Science from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD in Neuroscience from University College Cork.
Birgit Brandt is Regional Managing Partner, Asia Pacific.
Her experience includes Chief Executive and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in Higher Education and Research, Schools and Global Non-Profit Practices with Asia-Pacific.
Birgit holds a PhD from the University of Warwick in Sociology and MAs in Race and Ethnic Studies and Political Science from Warwick and the Freie Universitat Berlin, respectively. Birgit began her career as a Research Fellow in Berlin moving to the University of Warwick to work in the Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations and the Department of Politics and International Studies.
She moved on to join a novel research grants programme that sought to support partnerships between UK universities and charities and was appointed Head of Grants at the Royal Society and Director of Programmes at the British Academy.
She has travelled extensively, including six months in PRC learning Mandarin.
Gordon is the Regional Managing Partner, Americas. He leads our Canadian operations and delivers senior-level searches across all of the sectors in which we operate.
He began with the firm in our London office and subsequently opened the Vancouver office in 2013 and the Toronto office a few years later.
Gordon holds a B.A. in Classics and Anthropology from Alberta, an MPhil in Archaeology from Glasgow, PhD (on the looting and illegal trading of antiquities) from Cambridge (Homerton College) and a Corporate Executive Certificate from the Alberta, School of Business.
Before joining Perrett Laver Gordon held junior research positions at Texas (Institute of Classical Archaeology) and Westminster (ESRC Project on the UK’s Dealing in Cultural Objects Offences Act 2003) and he was Collections Management Advisor at Alberta (Museums and Collections Services). He was also an Associate Scholar on the Intellectual Property in Cultural Heritage Project and continues to write book reviews for a few academic journals.
He also brings government experience from the UK (Parliamentary Ombudsman) and Canada (Government of Alberta), where he managed a socioeconomic program evaluation team and received a Premier’s Award for outstanding client services.
Josephine is a Regional Managing Partner, Europe.
Her experience of senior level executive search includes Board, Chief Executive, Senior Academic and Administrative appointments throughout Europe, within the Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Social Impact and Environment and Arts and Culture Practice.
Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Josephine gained extensive experience in the Higher Education sector having served as the Executive Director of the Universities of the Netherlands (VSNU) for over 7 years. In addition, she was an active member of the European University Association (EUA).
Acting as an Adviser to University Presidents, she was responsible for the national lobbying strategy towards the Dutch Government. Under her responsibility, important strategic projects such as the open access strategy and the national research programme ‘digital society’ were initiated.
As Senior Vice President HR Josephine spent 3 years living in Geneva working for an international trading firm. She brings over 10 years of experience as interim manager in the public- private domain.
Josephine holds a Masters in Political Science from the University of Amsterdam and is an IMD alumna.
Goran is a Partner & Sector Lead, Health & Life Sciences.
His experience includes working on senior level strategic appointments for a range of higher education institutions, research institutes and centres, research-led organisations, public-private partnerships and biotech companies, and on global professorial and chair level appointments across various disciplines.
Goran holds an MSc in Molecular Biology from University of Zagreb and a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of Geneva.
Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Goran was a Postdoctoral Researcher at Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London.
Her senior level executive search experience includes Executive and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in the Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Social Impact and Environment and Arts and Culture sectors. In addition, she has worked on multiple senior appointments in the intersection between academic organisations, arts and culture, and industry.
Emi holds a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from Utrecht University and a PhD in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging from the University of Groningen. Before joining Perrett Laver, Emi worked as a postdoc in Social Medicine at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam. Besides her academic commitments, she also represented the PhD community in Groningen and helped manage the communication platforms for a large conference.
Emi is fluent in English, Dutch & Albanian and speaks conversational Italian.
Jack is Partner & Sector Lead, AI, Data & Technology.
His experience of senior level executive search includes multiple Chair and Professorial appointments globally across all academic disciplines, as well as leadership appointments in higher education and industry research and development.
Jack is expert in the use of metrics and analytics for the identification and assessment of world leading academics.
Jack holds a BSc in Physiology from the University of Liverpool, an MSc from the University of Leeds in Ion Channels in Disease and a PhD from Kings College London in Cell Signalling. His research focused on the role of ion channels in hormone release.
Janelle is Managing Partner of our Australian operations and leads our office in Sydney.
Her senior level executive search experience includes Senior Academic and Administrative appointments globally in higher education and research and for organisations across the cultural and sports sectors.
She holds a Bachelor degree in Social Science and a Master degree in Marketing from The University of Newcastle, and a Master degree in Management from The Australian National University. Janelle has significant experience in strategic marketing and communications, student recruitment, relationship management, events, business development and international relations. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Janelle held senior management roles at the Australian National University and the University of Newcastle and is experienced in sports administration having held the position of General Manager for Netball Tasmania, and has also held senior marketing and communications positions in the mining and not-for-profit sectors. Janelle has travelled extensively, particularly across Asia.
Bing is a Partner at Perrett Laver and is now leading Perrett Laver’s new Hong Kong office, opened in January 2015.
His experience includes Chief Executive and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in Higher Education and Research within Asia-Pacific.
A native of Beijing, Bing was most recently Director for China Programmes at the Alliance for Global Education, where he led the design of all Alliance for Global Education academic programmes in China, developed and maintained institutional relationships with more than 200 universities in both the U.S. and China and oversaw the Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an centers of operations.
Bing has many years of experience at senior management in global higher education and prior to that has taught in China and in the US at Asian Studies Department at Vassar College and Williams College.
He has been central in building scholarly exchanges and joint programmes between US and Chinese Universities and brings a deep understanding of Mainland China and Hong Kong higher education and research sectors.
Bing Han earned a BA in Electrical Engineering in 1996, a BA in International Business in 1997, and an MA in Communications Technology in 2000 from the Harbin Institute of Technology and the Beijing Institute of Microwave Metrology & Measurement respectively.
Katharine is a Partner at Perrett Laver and co-lead of our Hong Kong operation.
Her experience includes Chief Executive and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in Higher Education and Research within Asia-Pacific.
Katharine has until recently been the Resident Director for the Alliance for Global Education in Beijing. A native of Kentucky, Katharine, has lived and worked in mainland China for many years, beginning with a study abroad experience in Beijing in 1992-93.
After graduating from Reed College (BA in Chinese Language & Literature; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) she spent a year in China as a Thomas J. Watson fellow and then completed her M.H.S. at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In 2000 Katharine returned to China, where she has worked as epidemiologist on various public health projects, including projects focussing on AIDS/STD prevention and control, with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the World Health Organization, and the Chinese government. She also received a fellowship from the Blakemore Foundation to study advanced Mandarin Chinese at Tsinghua University in 2008-09.
Michelle is a Managing Partner.
Michelle works in Perrett Laver’s Dublin office. She is a Partner, former Head of the Project Management team and has worked across a number of Perrett Laver’s global Offices including London, Chicago and Hong Kong. She works with organisations across our Global Higher Education, Sport, Social Impact and Health sectors.
Nicole is Managing Partner, Germany.
Her experience of senior level executive search includes Board, Chief Executive, Senior Academic and Administrative appointments throughout Europe, within the Higher Education, Research, Technology and Innovation, Social Impact and Environment sectors.
Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Nicole was Executive Director of the Council for European Studies at Columbia University (CES) and the Executive Editor and Founder of the journal EuropeNow. She oversaw the renowned annual International Conference of Europeanists, the prestigious World Society Foundation Global Fellowships as well as the Mellon-Dissertation Completion Fellowships, among others, and supported 17 Research Networks, including those addressing the Environment, European Culture, Immigration and Social Movements.
She is the author of The Politics of Prostitution in ‘Berlin Alexanderplatz’ and the editor of The Many Voices of Europe: Mobility and Migration in Contemporary Europe. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Binghamton University.
Lisbeth is the Managing Partner, Netherlands & Head of Research Europe.
Her experience of senior level executive search includes Senior Academic, Chair and Professorial appointments globally across all disciplines in higher education.
Lisbeth holds an MSc in Biology, a subsequent MSc in Environmental Management and Sanitation, and a PhD in Environmental Toxicology, all from Ghent University, Belgium. Her doctoral research focussed on the occurrence, effects and risks of marine microplastics. Lisbeth is fluent in Dutch and English, and speaks basic French and German.
Emma Stone is a strategic and results orientated leader and trusted advisor with extensive governance, human resources, and organisational development experience in the higher education sector. Prior to joining Perrett Laver she was Director of OD and Institutional Effectiveness at Mohammad Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi.
Before commencing her international career she gained over 20 years experience at the University of Cambridge where she held the role of Director of Human Resources. Her career then led her to an international move joining the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), as Adviser to the Vice Chancellor and subsequently to MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi as Director of OD and Institutional Effectiveness working with the President to establish this new highly specialised graduate school.
Emma is accustomed to operating at board level, leading organizational change, and resolving complex employment relations issues. She specializes in the development and interpretation of policy, leadership of multidisciplinary teams and projects, provision of operational advice, recruitment, and resourcing, learning and development, and employee relations.
Emma hold a bachelors degree in Psychology, MA (Cantab) and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Jill is Managing Partner, Scotland & Joint Sector Lead, Higher Education, UK
Her experience of senior level executive search includes advising on Chair, Trustee, Chief Executive and executive team searches across the Non Profit and Social sector and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in the Higher Education and Research and Global Non-Profit sectors.
Jill holds an MA in International Relations from the University of St Andrews. She has lived and worked in Japan and spent her early career in the UK charity sector.
His experience of senior level executive search includes Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in higher education and research globally, with a particular focus on the Canadian market.
Ben holds a BA (Hons) in History from Trinity College, University of Toronto and is currently completing his MA in Higher Education at the University of Toronto. Ben’s academic interests centre on institutional theory and organizational behaviour more broadly. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Ben worked as an advancement associate at a top Canadian independent school.
Maria is a Consultant at Perrett Laver.
She has a diverse educational background, including a BA in International Studies from UCV in Venezuela, an MBA from EADA Business School in Spain, a Graduate Diploma in American Studies from Sciences Po Paris, and a MA in Geopolitics from Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Prior joining Perrett Laver, Maria gained experience in Alumni Relations and Development at McGill University and served as Business Development and Marketing Manager for a major engineering firm in Canada.
Cora is a Associate Consultant at Perrett Laver.
Her level of senior level executive search includes schools, academic and administrative appointments in higher education globally, and in the global non-profit sector.
Cora holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Toronto, MPhil in Criminology from the University of Cambridge, MA in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, and PhD from City University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Cora worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at City University of Hong Kong where she led government funded projects, organized international academic conferences, and wrote a book on the Umbrella Movement.
Will has 4 years of executive search experience and is a Consultant within Perrett Laver’s Social Impact Practice, supporting the practice’s work across North America.
His search experience includes Board, Chief Executive and C-Suite appointments across a range of nonprofit and private sector clients. Some notable clients include the Gates Foundation, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, FEED and The Claremont Colleges. Before joining Perrett Laver, Will held Consultant and Research roles with other global executive search firms, and led Customer Success for a SaaS startup in local grocery delivery.
Will is based in Asheville, North Carolina. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University.
Jesse is a Senior Consultant in Perrett Laver’s Hong Kong office, where he advises on appointments in the Asia-Pacific Region.
He holds a PhD in East Asian Studies from Princeton University, with related research conducted as a Research Associate at Kyoto University. Prior to joining Perrett Laver he served as Associate Professor of East Asian Studies and Program Chair at Underwood International College at Yonsei University, South Korea. His work has included senior leadership and faculty roles for clients including the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Yale-NUS College, Georgia Tech Shenzhen Institute, New York University, and Nanyang Technological University.
Gary is a Consultant in the Hong Kong office.
His executive search experience includes senior leadership appointments for universities, international schools, as well as arts and culture organizations in Hong Kong, Macao and Greater China. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Gary had an early career in higher education, secondary education and public affairs.
An expert on the international relations of East Asia and Eurasia, Gary has contributed articles to the World Economic Forum, South China Morning Post, Geopolitics, among others. He has a BA in history and political science from the Australian National University, a MA in Comparative and Public History from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick.
Gary speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and English and continues to improve his Russian.
Arturo Uriostegui is a Consultant in the Sydney office.
He was previously Head of Research for Perrett Laver in Australia. His experience of senior level executive search includes Senior Academic, Administrative, Chair and Professorial appointments globally in higher education and research. In addition, Arturo works extensively across the Schools Practice in senior level executive appointments, with a particular focus on the Australian market.
Arturo holds a BA in International Studies from the University of California San Diego, a Master of International Business from the University of New South Wales and an MBA (Executive) from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the UNSW Business School. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, he spent time as a tutor in universities in Hong Kong and private institutions in Latin America. Arturo is fluent in English, Spanish, & Portuguese and speaks conversational French.
Zoe is a Consultant working across all of our sectors in Singapore with particular expertise in Schools & Education organisations.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Management from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Before joining Perrett Laver, she worked in the banking and financial services sector.
Zoe is also fluent in English and Mandarin.
Jason is a Consultant based in our Melbourne office.
Prior to joining Perrett Laver he worked at several Australian Group of Eight universities, in both Student Experience and Scholarly Information Services, having most recently served twelve years at the Australian National University as a subject liaison librarian, collection manager, and information literacy trainer.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, and a Graduate Diploma in Information Management with Distinction from RMIT University.
Anne-May brings extensive experience in the international higher education and research sectors. Before joining Perrett Laver, Anne-May was Secretary-General of the Aurora Universities Network, an international membership organisation of universities across Europe and beyond. As Secretary-General, Anne-May provided strategic supervision over the EU grant application under the prestigious European Universities Initiative. She managed the Aurora Central Office in Amsterdam and supported and advised the Aurora Board and General Council. She successfully increased the network’s visibility, and in Brussels represented Aurora members on developments in EU higher education and research policy – often in close cooperation with other organisations representing higher education, such as the European University Association (EUA), the Guild, YERUN and the Coimbra Group.
Anne-May holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a BA in European Studies and an Msc in Public Policy and Human Development
Valia brings her expertise in STEM fields to our team as a Consultant for Higher Education and Research, Technology, and Innovation at our Amsterdam office. With a focus on Europe, she has successfully guided the selection of top-tier academic and administrative leaders.
Valia holds a BSc in Physics, an MSc in Applied Physics, and a PhD in Laser Physics and Spectroscopy from Radboud University of Nijmegen. Prior to her career at Perrett Laver, she worked as a Postdoctoral researcher in the Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory at Radboud University in Nijmegen.
Sarah is a Consultant in the European team working across a range of sectors including Global Higher Education, Research Leadership, Arts, Culture and Sport.
Sarah holds a BA in Linguistics from Macalester College and an MSc in Comparative Social Change from Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. Her academic interests include diversity and inclusion in sport and language education in schools. Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Sarah worked as a English Language Teacher in the United States and Ireland.
Sarah speaks English and Japanese and is conversational in Spanish.
Chantal is a Consultant within the Research, Technology and Innovation Practice.
Her experience spans a wide array of senior executive, non-executive and research leadership appointments for universities, independent research institutes and research funding bodies globally.
Alex is a Consultant at Perrett Laver.
His experience of senior level executive search includes Chair and Professorial appointments for global Higher Education institutions and research leadership appointments in research and innovation focused organisations.
Alex holds a BA and MA in History, and a PhD in Medieval History from the University of Manchester. His research focused on analysis and translation of Old French chronicles and Norman law codes.
Prior to joining Perrett Laver he also taught at the University of Manchester and Swansea University.
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