Finding leaders
who power
what's next.
For organisations in design and technology, we deliver transformative leadership — aligned to your mission, built for your future.
OUR PURPOSE
Transformational
leadership isn’t luck
— it’s found with care.
Smithfield Search helps forward-thinking businesses unlock growth with the talent that drives innovation. We specialise in placing senior and board-level leaders across design, product, technology and digital transformation.
With deep networks, disciplined search, and a highly tailored approach, we uncover the people who create outsized impact.
WHAT WE DO
We offer discreet, high-impact executive search tailored to leadership in design and technology environments.
C-Suite Executive Search
Cross-functional Leadership (Design, Engineering, Product)
Board and Advisory Appointments
Market Intelligence and Succession Planning
WHO WE ARE
We understand
leadership from
the inside.
Our founding team has spent their careers at the intersection of talent, innovation, and organisational change.
Smithfield Search was founded by Be Kaler Pilgrim, joined by long-time collaborators Rachel Murray, Gill Arnold and Charlie Hoult. With over 50 years of combined experience, we know what makes a truly exceptional leader — and how to find them.
ADVISOR
Nicolas Roope
Nicolas brings 30 years at the forefront of the digital industry, having led major commercial digital projects for global brands. As creative director, he headed Heineken's global digital communications, oversaw Skype's explosive growth, and played a pivotal role in EE's launch. Nicolas co-founded and led digital agency Poke for 18 years, delivering innovative experiences for leading multinationals. His award-winning work includes 10 Webby Awards and the London Design Festival's Design Entrepreneur Medal. He was co-founder of lighting brand Plumen, sold in 2022.
ADVISOR
Sarah Vick
Sarah is a Non-Executive Chair and Director to agencies and technology businesses, helping define and execute growth strategies with a focus on bringing leadership teams together to deliver their vision. With 20+ years managing digital agencies worldwide, she brings deep operational expertise to boardroom strategy. Sarah specialises in scaling creative and technology businesses, providing strategic guidance on organisational development, market expansion, and leadership alignment to drive sustainable growth.
ADVISOR
Tiffany St James
Tiffany is an award-winning digital strategist leading transformational change in global organisations and governments. Recognised as one of 25 women who have changed the British Digital Industry in the last 25 years, she brings deep expertise in digital transformation and strategic innovation. Tiffany helps organisations navigate complex digital challenges, delivering sustainable change through human-centred approaches. Her work spans across public and private sectors, driving meaningful impact at scale.
ADVISOR
Craig Unsworth
Craig is a portfolio Chief Product Officer and NED specialising in Private Equity, AI, and transformation. He drives high-impact, product-led growth across B2B SaaS, data, information services, and content businesses, with a track record of 50+ transactions and moonshot outcomes. Craig combines deep product expertise with PE experience to help businesses scale through technology and innovation. He is behind Chiefly Product, one of Substack's top 100 technology publications.
ADVISOR
Julian Hirst
Julian is a builder, advisor, and fixer for fast-moving companies ready to scale. With extensive experience helping founders navigate growth challenges, he specialises in cutting through noise to sharpen strategy and focus on what matters most. Julian brings purpose, pace, and discipline to transformation initiatives, working with leadership teams to accelerate their path to scale. His approach combines strategic clarity with operational expertise to drive meaningful business outcomes.
ADVISOR
Namrata Sarmah
Namrata is a C-suite operator, NED, and Founder with 17+ years' experience across the UK, US, EMEA, and APAC in building, scaling, and transforming businesses. She has worked with publicly-listed and PE-backed corporations across Education, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Broadcast Media, and Telecom sectors. Namrata serves as Non-Executive Director at The Open University Business School and Rise, Advisor at Antler (early stage VC), and Founder of Women in Product UK and CPO Track communities.
HOW WE DO IT
For leaders and
decision makers.
Whether you’re building your team or considering your own next step, Smithfield Search is here to guide with care and foresight. We work confidentially with founders, execs, and senior leaders across design, tech and digital sectors.
Let’s have a conversation, we work incrementally, aligning opportunity with purpose — when the time is right.
Experienced partners
Relationship-first approach
Culturally aligned, strategically astute
Long-term thinking
Featured
articles
Choosing Your Next Board, Signs of True Digital and AI Maturity
If you’re a tech leader considering your next board role or business opportunity, it’s natural to want to understand how digitally mature the organisation really is. Rather than getting caught up in buzzwords or checklists, it’s more valuable to explore how the board approaches technology and AI with curiosity and openness. Here are some thoughtful areas to reflect on when assessing your next move.
Market Insight and Launch Reflections
Launching Smithfield Search this week has been fun, exciting, scary BUT built on years of navigating the highs and lows of tech recruitment in the UK. Here’s a warm, honest look at why now feels like the right time for a new executive search boutique, and what we’re seeing in the market.
What Tech Leaders Are Really Saying
I spent the last week having a marathon of tea, calls, and the odd power-walk with CTOs, CPOs, and product brains from PE/VC-backed tech firms. I’ve attempted to bottle the energy and ideas. Here are some of the themes that have surfaced.
