The Barton Partnership Expands Professional Services Practice
November 3, 2025 – The Barton Partnership, a U.K.-based executive search firm, has expanded with the addition of Jane Harley as director within its professional services practice. Based in London, Ms. Harley will play a key role in strengthening The Barton Partnership’s professional services business, partnering with consulting and advisory firms to deliver senior-level talent solutions that support growth and transformation. “Jane’s extensive experience and strategic insight will be a huge asset to our business as we continue to strengthen our position in the market,” said Oliver Phoenix, CEO. “Her track record of shaping senior-hiring strategies and advising leadership teams in complex, high-growth environments will enhance our reputation as a trusted partner to our clients. We’re delighted to welcome her to the team.”
With more than 25 years of experience across executive search, talent acquisition and leadership advisory, Ms. Harley joins from Skill Equity Partners, where she was a partner focusing on senior mandates across professional services. Before that, she spent over seven years as head of strategic hires for FTI Consulting, where she led the EMEA talent acquisition function to support double-digit growth across its diverse portfolio. Earlier in her career, Ms. Harley was head of talent acquisition, EMEA, at Alvarez & Marsal, helping to scale the business across multiple markets. Her experience also includes leadership roles at Norman Broadbent, Korn Ferry, and boutique consulting search firms, giving her a unique perspective that bridges in-house and search leadership.
Ms. Harley brings an extensive network across restructuring, turnaround, M&A, and operational transformation, alongside a proven ability to identify and secure high-impact leadership talent. “Jane’s background as a trusted C-suite advisor and strategic partner to consulting leaders has given her a deep understanding of how to align people and culture with long-term business strategy,” The Barton Partnership said.
The Barton Partnership is an executive recruitment firm providing permanent search and independent consulting services across all aspects of strategy and M&A, digital, data and analytics, ESG and sustainability, and transformation and change.
With offices in New York, Chicago, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong and now Sydney, The Barton Partnership’s clients include FTSE-listed and Fortune 500 companies across all sectors/industries, SMEs, strategic, innovation and management consulting firms (large and boutique), global financial services, and private equity and venture capital organizations.
New CEO
The Barton Partnership recently appointed Mr. Phoenix as CEO. Founder Nicholas Barton continues in his role as advisor and brand ambassador. “I couldn’t be prouder or more excited to announce Olly’s appointment to CEO as we move into the 18th year since I founded The Barton Partnership, and off the back of a record-breaking and award-winning 2024,” Mr. Barton said. “Founding, growing, and leading this business has been an incredible experience. Still, my greatest satisfaction has come from watching people within the firm evolve and grow over that time, and Olly is a great example of that. I’m looking forward to supporting our next chapter in my new capacity and I couldn’t be more excited and optimistic about the future of the firm and the incredible possibilities that lie ahead.”
Related: The Barton Partnership Opens New Office in Sydney
Mr. Phoenix has played a crucial role in the business’s success over the past decade and is positioned to lead The Barton Partnership through its next growth phase. He has driven expansion across the U.K. and throughout the EMEA region, continually developed The Barton Partnership’s proposition globally, and driven key account growth and diversification across all sectors.
The Barton Partnership Names Leader for North American Expansion
The Barton Partnership has appointed Michael J. Doud as executive vice president, North America. He will lead the firm’s continued strategic expansion in the North American market. “The North American market is a huge opportunity for us as a firm; our proposition is well-established, and we have a talented team in place,” said Oliver Phoenix, CEO. “The addition of Mike, whose track record developing and growing professional services businesses in the U.S. is second-to-none, will allow us to achieve our potential in this market over the next few years. We are excited to have him on board, and I look forward to working closely with him moving forward. His deep understanding of the North American market and commitment to excellence make him a valuable addition to The Barton Partnership’s leadership team.”
Over the last nearly 20 years in the industry, Mr. Phoenix has worked with consultancies and corporates within the strategy, M&A and transformation space, giving him an understanding of the sector and what clients want from a specialist talent provider. He has coupled this with over 10 years of experience leading senior teams and operating at board level as the business has grown to over one hundred in headcount and over £20 million in net fee income. Mr. Phoenix first joined Barton as director of permanent search and then was named group managing director.
The Barton Partnership recently formed alliance with Strategy in Action, a leader in the field of strategy formulation and execution. “We are delighted to partner with Strategy in Action to offer our clients a comprehensive and innovative approach to strategy,” said Oliver Phoenix, managing director EMEA. “By integrating SiA’s platform with our independent consulting and advisory services, we can provide our clients with a flexible and bespoke approach to driving sustainable growth and delivering measurable impact.”
“Strategy in Action and The Barton Partnership are dedicated to enhancing strategic excellence globally,” said Davide Sola, co-founder and CEO of Strategy in Action. “I’m confident that this collaboration will yield outstanding results for both our network and clients, leveraging Strategy in Action’s capabilities. I look forward to our journey of growth together.”
Related: The Barton Partnership Appoints Senior Leaders
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
