Saxton Bampfylde Appoints CEO
February 20, 2025 – U.K.-based executive recruiter Saxton Bampfylde has named Kate Ludlow as its new CEO. As part of this leadership transition, Stephen Bampfylde, the firm’s founding partner, will assume the role of non-executive chair, continuing to provide strategic guidance and governance oversight while maintaining his active involvement with key client relationships and projects. Additionally, Jonathan Morgan has been appointed as deputy chair, supporting the board and leadership team. Both Ms. Ludlow and Mr. Morgan will continue their roles as practice leaders within the commercial and public services practices respectively, maintaining their valued client relationships while taking on their new leadership responsibilities.
“When Anthony Saxton and I founded this company in 1986, we set out to create a different kind of search firm – one built on strong values and deep, lasting relationships with our clients,” said Mr. Bampfylde. “Today, Kate and Jonathan embody exactly those founding principles, along with the vision and expertise to lead us forward. Kate’s appointment as CEO marks an exciting evolution in our journey, and I have absolute confidence that under her leadership, we will continue to deliver the excellence our clients expect while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Ms. Ludlow has over 15 years of experience with the firm, having previously served as managing partner since 2021. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, she remains an active consultant and valued member of the firm’s private sector practice, where she works with clients on both executive and non-executive appointments. Ms. Ludlow leads the firm’s work in the legal and professional services sector and family-owned businesses, bringing deep expertise to these areas. During her time at the firm, she has demonstrated her commitment to the firm’s governance, having been twice elected to the trustee board where she completed two terms. Her international experience includes a significant period working with the firm’s partner office in Vancouver, broadening her global perspective on executive search and leadership consulting.
“It’s an honor to take on this role and lead Saxton Bampfylde into its next chapter,” said Ms. Ludlow. “Stephen has built and sustained an extraordinary firm grounded in values, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Our mission, to change the world by changing leaders in interesting and important organizations is arguably more important today than it was 40 years ago. We are fortunate to have an exceptional team who bring deep expertise and dedication to everything we do. We have an opportunity to build on the momentum and track record that the firm has, while staying true to values that have defined us for four decades.”
Mr. Morgan has worked in search for over 20 years and heads our regulation and government affairs practice. He joined the consulting team at Saxton Bampfylde after heading the firm’s education research. He has advised on board level appointments across the private, public and not for profit sectors; he also leads our competition practice.
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“It has been my privilege to be a partner at Saxton Bampfylde for over twenty years, and over that time to see the business develop and grow into the employee-owned, leading search firm it is today,” said Mr. Morgan. “This is a hugely exciting time for all of us and for the work we do with our clients.”
Employee Owned Business
Saxton Bampfylde is an employee owned business founded in 1986 and is now one of the world’s leading independent executive search firms and leadership consultancies. With offices in London and Edinburgh, the firm brings a partnership approach to its work and has a strong belief in open and transparent communication. Saxton Bampfylde’s clients include FTSE 100 companies and blue-chip multinationals, across government and academia, through to foundation trust hospitals, arts institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. The firm is a founding member of Panorama, a global community of over 400 leadership experts working together to promote a diverse perspective of leadership.
Stephen Bampfylde is co-founder and chairman of Saxton Bampfylde. He began his career working for IBM and Whitehall, where he spent nearly 10 years before moving into top-level executive search. For 27 years he has been involved in the recruitment of executives to senior positions across all sectors. He helped establish the worldwide professional association AESC in Europe and was its international director for a number of years. Outside executive search, he has been involved with the advisory boards of the business schools at Cambridge and City universities, is a trustee of the Yvonne Arnaud Theater, and is former chairman of the Guildford Cathedral Council.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
