Wilton & Bain Names Co-Leaders of North America
November 10, 2026 – Global executive search and interim leadership firm Wilton & Bain has appointed partners Sam Wallace and Hannah Robb as co-leads of North America as the firm increases its focus and investment in the region. “Success in North America is the key strategic pillar in Wilton & Bain’s growth ambitions,” said David Heron, CEO. “I am delighted that we have been able to promote two of our existing team to Lead the region. I look forward to working with Sam and Hannah as we continue to build the team.”
Ms. Wallace and Ms. Robb will lead the next stage of a North American business that Wilton & Bain established in 2014. Their priorities include developing the firm’s work with professional services businesses and private equity-backed companies, strengthening existing client relationships and growing the team.
Wilton & Bain’s North American work is already substantial. The firm has partnered with U.S. consulting business West Monroe since 2017, delivering more than 20 senior partner, partner and director appointments across operations, digital, innovation and M&A advisory. The firm also worked with Kantar on 11 product and technology leadership hires across London and North America over an 18-month period.
“The current market presents significant opportunities and I’m excited to take on this co-leadership role to help shape Wilton & Bain’s future,” said Ms. Wallace. “We have a fantastic team, and a bold ambition to grow our North American business and build on the incredible history in this market.”
Wilton & Bain’s professional services practice has long worked with consulting and advisory firms on senior appointments and team moves. That experience has also brought the firm closer to private equity investors and the leadership needs of their portfolio companies, particularly when businesses are scaling or going through significant change.
Related: Wilton & Bain Names Fractional Chief People Officer
The North American plan draws on work across the wider firm. In the U.K., Grant Thornton named Wilton & Bain as a strategic search partner, alongside Korn Ferry, to support its plan to recruit 160 new partners over two years. The assignment is one of the firm’s most significant professional services mandates and reflects the scale of leadership hiring now taking place under private equity ownership.
Wilton & Bain Partners with Grant Thornton UK to Drive Expansion
Wilton & Bain has been named as a strategic search partner to Grant Thornton UK in its bold plan to expand its partnership and accelerate firm growth. As part of its announcement, Grant Thornton confirmed plans to recruit 160 new partners over the next two years.
“It’s a genuine privilege for the team and me to be supporting Grant Thornton with this ambitious and exciting growth plan under private equity ownership,” said Gary Landes, global managing partner, professional services at Wilton & Bain. “Beyond the clear alignment between Grant Thornton’s needs and Wilton & Bain’s capability to deliver, we have all been struck by the very natural fit in culture and values. Delivering a recruitment project of this scale is almost unprecedented, and the number of roles we’re planning makes it a truly significant undertaking. We’re committed and ready to rise to the occasion, and the sense of being ‘in it together’ as genuine partners is refreshing. We are excited by what lies ahead.”
For the new leaders, the opportunity is to bring that depth of experience to a larger North American audience while building on relationships already established in the region. Ms. Wallace has spent more than 20 years in executive search and works with technology and professional services businesses. Ms. Robb specializes in senior finance and advisory appointments, as well as the ever-growing need for team hires.
“Wilton & Bain is the global expert on professional services executive search; I have seen this first-hand for the last 18 months and am delighted to be taking the reigns to expand our service to North America,” said Ms. Robb.
Seeking Search Professionals
Wilton & Bain also plans to expand its North American team. The firm is seeking experienced search professionals who want to develop their own markets within a business with established research and delivery capabilities, and the flexibility to work closely across practices and geographies.
Established in 2001, Wilton & Bain is twice backed by investor Beechbrook Capital. With offices in London, New York, Austin, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Dubai, the firm provides executive search and interim management services to the professional, financial, technology & digital services sectors.
Related: Wilton & Bain Expands Interim Management Business
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
