Partner-led search.

In 1989, Mark founded Corporate Executive Search (CES) and over the next 10 years grew the company into an international head-hunter, specialising in the convergence of Management Consultancy, Telecoms, IT, New Media and Financial Services.

CES grew to in excess of 200 staff with offices in London, Frankfurt and Singapore. Clients included British Telecom, Microsoft, PwC, Capgemini and Oracle. Corporate Executive Search was the first head-hunter to float on the London Stock Exchange AIM in 1998. Mark sold his majority shareholding to an MBO in 1999.

In 2001, he founded Vantage Market Entry to enable clients to accelerate market entry, thereby gaining competitive advantage and market share. Mark’s main role is client management, team moves, acquisitions and search.

He is a pioneer in the movement of teams, having completed 10 successful team moves in the last 3 years.

Over the last two years, Mark has focused almost exclusively on identifying and placing the leaders of AI across consulting, private equity and technology.

Patrick is a Partner at Vantage, having joined in 2007 as a Senior Consultant. He holds full responsibility for client relationship management, project delivery and new business development. His recent experience has covered running searches in the US, UK, Middle East and China. Currently, Patrick is predominantly involved in projects focused on the US and Europe.

During his time at Vantage, Patrick has gained experience in a wide range of industry sectors including Financial Services, Healthcare, Energy & Utilities, Automotive, Manufacturing and Industrials. Patrick has been working with the Big 4, Tier 1 & 2 Strategy firms and industry clients, moving industry leaders to consulting and vice-versa, for the last 7 years. He has deep experience in the full VME service offering: teams, leaders and acquisitions.

Patrick grew up in Belfast and, following school there, completed a BA (Hons) in Marketing and Management at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Outside of the office he is a keen sportsman, particularly Rugby, Cricket, Skiing and Golf. He has also recently taken up trail running and in his spare time enjoys exploring London’s restaurants.

Jack is a Partner at Vantage, having joined in 2021. He leads retained executive searches across Europe and the US for Director, Partner and VP talent. He has a track record of assisting Professional Service organisations adapt, grow and build capability in the face of disruption.

Within professional services, Jack works across industries and in capabilities such as Strategy, Digital and Innovation. Clients have included the likes of BCG, McKinsey, PwC, Deloitte, Palantir and Kearney, as well as boutique consulting firms. Jack and his team cover topics ranging from traditional operations and lean process improvements through to robotics, data & analytics, AI, digital strategy and enterprise-wide agility.

Before executive search, Jack played professional rugby for 2 years in France. He holds a BA in History from the University of Nottingham.

Lulu is a Principal at Vantage, having joined as a Researcher in 2018. Lulu works across Management Consulting, Private Equity, Health Industries, and Technology, predominantly involved in projects in the US. Lulu works closely alongside Patrick, assisting with client relationship management, project delivery and new business development. Lulu works on both C-level projects and delivering at the Manager to Director level.

In her spare time, Lulu is a Health Coach and keen cook. Lulu holds a BSc in Business Management from Newcastle University.

Dschuliya joined Vantage in 2021 as a Researcher and has since progressed to Project Director and Head of Search. She works closely alongside Founder & Managing Partner Mark Shields, assisting with client relationship management, new business development and project delivery across the US and European markets, with a focus on Advisory, Private Equity, and Digital, AI & Analytics.

Dschuliya works on both C-level projects and delivering at the Manager to Director level across her sector focus areas.

She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from MGIMO, Moscow, and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. Dschuliya speaks English, German, Arabic and Russian.