We are delighted to have had the chance to talk to Mary Few, the newly announced Head of our Scotland office for our team insight interview.
Your past, present and future with Saxton Bampfylde?
I joined Saxton Bampfylde in 2017, new to Edinburgh, having just returned from South East Asia, where I had worked in Yangon for a boutique strategic advisory business. I joined the office on Melville Street as an Associate Consultant, working on a cross-sector basis with our Scottish clients in the arts, government, schools and private sectors. Some of my highlights since that time have included working with The Royal Yacht Britannia, Addleshaw Goddard LLP and Windward Energy.
My background in executive search is predominantly in the private sector, and, particularly over the last four years at Saxton Bampfylde, I have focussed on our private sector clients across tourism, renewables, utilities and the legal sector.
This year, I am proud to have been made Head of the Scotland office, a role which allows me to focus on client delivery in the private sector, whilst also collaborating with colleagues across the firm in other sectors as we continue to build our presence in Scotland as a full-service executive search firm.
The future is exciting for our team in Scotland. We are winning mandates from international clients to support them as they grow their own Scottish presence, expanding into new areas of focus for Scottish based or founded businesses, and continuing to maintain close relationships with our longest standing independent Scottish clients.
Describe your experience of executive search in three words
Fun, challenging, a privilege
What is your ambition for the Scotland team?
We have a full team of researchers based in Scotland and three consultants. I would like to see us grow our footprint across the region as we continue on our growth trajectory, and ensure that there are opportunities for the team to develop and take on more responsibility.
How is Saxton Bampfylde evolving its focus in Scotland?
Our focus remains on delivering consistently exceptional client service and excellent research. We are expanding our footprint within the legal sector working on more and more lateral partner hires. We have also built a strong track record in the renewables sector at Board level, and will look to continue our work to support the green energy transition as a hugely significant sector in Scotland.
What are the areas of leadership that make you excited about the future?
As a firm we have always been purpose and values driven, so it is encouraging to see this reflected across all of the sectors that we work in. Leaders are being held to account on purpose-driven leadership, ensuring that they are fostering an inclusive work environment. This holds a huge amount of influence over the recruitment and retention strategy for firms when trying to find the best talent. Leaders have to be authentic in showing leadership from the front and living those values. Those who demonstrate empathy, and who prioritise the wellbeing of their teams will rise to the top.
The rise of AI is exciting for leadership in the opportunities it will bring to revolutionise the way we work. Leaders will have the opportunity to rethink how talent is deployed to optimise critical thinking, whilst leveraging the tools and platforms available
Finally, as we transition to net zero, employees are looking to their leaders to prioritise sustainability and ethical governance in their decision making.
What is your one true passion?
Travel – when I have the opportunity, travelling to far flung places off the beaten track is my absolute favourite thing to do and I can’t wait to attempt it again when my two sons are a bit older.
What would be your desert island luxury?
A solar powered Kindle!
