Ross Hicks
Oxfordshire,UK
Summary
Managing director and partner in financial and professional services search with over 20 years of recruitment experience. Specialises in executive search predominantly into M&A, placing candidates in director-level roles and above, with typical salaries exceeding GBP 150,000. Extensive network across EMEA, including Big 4 consultancies, investment banks, and corporate finance firms. Expertise in recruiting for investment banking, corporate finance, and specialized sectors such as ESG, TMT, and renewables.
Energetic employee well-versed in strong communication and organisation skills. Seeks solutions to problems and applies extensive analytical knowledge to findings. Adept at multi-tasking, leading group discussions and managing projects.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Global Head of Professional & Financial Services
Integral Search
London, UK
2023.09 - 2025.11
- Led development and management of global professional and financial services practice from September 2023 to November 2025.
Led all senior executive search in M&A, financial restructuring, and special situations across ECM and DCM.
Established connections within investment banking and professional services for retained search mandates. - Delivered over £1.7m in executive search predominantly with 1 client.
Director Professional and Financial Services
ZRG Partners
London, UK
2020.03 - 2023.01
- Senior Executive search including all C-suite across Financial and Professional Services, Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, Private Equity and Crypto. Retained searches have also been in real estate , renewable energy, project finance and infrastructure (rail, road, Lairports and ports), Fin Tech and Wealth Management and multi sector within corporate finance verticals at Big 4 and investment banks. Geographies - across the UK, Europe and USA.
- Reason for leaving: ZRG became too big too quick and their values stopped aligning with my own values, eg not paying invoices to suppliers. ZRG have lost a number of key people to include COO, Global Head of FS and Head of PTS in the last 2 months.
Director
Finlay Gardener Executive Search
, UK
2017.03 - 2020.02
- Head hunted by my CEO from Finlay Gardener I was brought on board to build out both financial and professional services within retained search. Having billed GBP 330k in 6 months, GBP 230K in retained search
- Reason for leaving: Attempted to help set up a retained search business within a well knowncontingent business. Positioning was wrong, which I knew from the start, but had to try as was joining a person I respected whom head hunted me.
Executive Search
Stanton Chase Dubai
, UAE
2015.01 - 2016.11
- Achieved over USD 1 million in revenue during first year through strategic executive search projects across multiple sectors.
- Secured a high-profile group CEO position within healthcare sector for investment banking client, resulting in USD 300k fee.
- Established extensive network of senior executives within investment banks and financial institutions, facilitating successful placements across GCC and Middle East.
Director Europe
Green Street Partners USA LLC
London, UK
2010.01 - 2014.12
- I joined one of my US investment banking clients whilst I was with Hillman Saunders. GBP100k base working from home. Beginning of 2013 I was made a partner and paid on success only. The bank is based in the USA and most of the projects are in Renewable Energy/Infrastructure and Real Estate in Central and South America. They brought me on board because of my networking skills, speaking to investors and project principles. I was involved in looking at projects in Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Jamaica and the USA.
- Identified and capitalised on growth opportunities in the market.
- Introduced new marketing campaigns, boosted brand image.
Manager Banking & Finance Recruitment
Hillman Saunders
London
2005.10 - 2009.12
- At Hillman Saunders I was brought in to build their senior financial advisory recruitment business and to grow a team. Businesses covered were hedge funds, fund of funds, alternative funds, boutique investment banks and accountancy firms. Roles covered were from ACA qualified through to Fund Managers and MD's, Real estate finance, Private Equity and renewable energy originators. Salaries from £50K – £250K. I was often the top biller at the company and personally billed £168,000 in my second month. I billed GBP600K in 2009.
Senior Consultant
Robert Half International
London
2004.01 - 2005.09
- Brought into run a finance desk in Richmond, predominantly Big 4 and Top 50 accountancy firms covering audit, tax, insolvency. Came top of the region for billings in my 2nd month out of 30
- Reason for leaving : I found it very quiet in Richmond and I wanted to focus more on banking advisory type roles in the City and West End.
Consultant Accountancy, Public Practice
Michael Page Int.
Southampton, UK
2000.05 - 2003.12
- Running my own desk, working autonomously, effectively managing own budgets. Consistently billed £20,000 per month. Focused on Big 4 and Top 50 accountancy firms covering Tax, Audit, Corporate Finance and Insolvency
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously whilst ensuring timely completion and quality control.
- Developed comprehensive business strategies to deliver client objectives.
- Liaised closely with clients throughout consulting process, ensuring satisfaction at every stage.
Negotiator
Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward
London
1996.01 - 1999.01
- Negotiating the selling of property and Exceeding sales targets, month to month
Education
BA - Economics
Kings College, University London
London, UK 1991.01 - 1992.01
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Kings College Taunton
Taunton, UK 1985.01 - 1990.01
Skills
- Communication skills
- Active listening
- Persuasive speaking
- Presentation delivery
- Negotiation techniques
- Highly personable
INTERESTS
I am a keen snowboarder having been sponsored by Nitro snowboards when I lived in Colorado USA, this was in the early 90s so not as good anymore., I enjoy squash and tennis and golf
DEAL SHEET 2022/2023
- KPMG - Healthcare - Partner Jonathan Boyers SylvesterOppong Exec Search £100,000
- KPMG - Power & Utilities - Associate Adrian Schultz Harrison Parkes Opportunistic £20,000.00
- KPMG - Energy - Associate Partner Gavin Quantock Ian Wood Opportunistic £50,000.00
- KPMG - FS - Managing Director Mark Flenner Exec Search £50,000.00
- KPMG - TMT - Director Graham Pearce Exec Search £50,000.00
- KPMG - Energy Team Adrian Schultz Hugh Sanderson Opportunistic £4,166.67
- Coinbase - Prime Services Brett Tejpaul Brett Tiernan Ashley Exec Search £21,500.00
- Coinbase - Prime Services Tejpaul Jonathan Leila Halikas Exec Search £21,500.00
- KPMG - Restructuring - MD Boyers Adam Broadbent Opportunistic £37,500.00
- KPMG - Special Sits Jonathan Boyers/ Andrew Hodgson Exec Search £100,000
- Deloitte - TMT Equity Partner Chris Graves Exec Search £100,000.00
- Nexo - NED, CRO, George Baldzhiev Exec Search £40,000.00
- Nexo - Prime Brokerage Sales & Trading Kalin Metodiev Jude Fredderick Exec Search £133,500.00
- Nexo - CRO/ CCO David Aron Exec Search £120,000.00
- KPMG - PLC Advisory - MD Jonathan Boyers KPMG - Aadam Brown Opportunistic Kayne £50,000.00
- PLC Advisory - AD Jonathan Boyers KPMG - Leverage Blackburn Opportunistic Anton £20,000.00
- Finance Debt - MDJonathan Boyers Krawchenko Opportunistic £45,000.00
- BNP Paribas - Strategy Aurélie Deleuze Exec Search £100,000.00
- KPMG - Leverage Finance x 2 roles Jonathan Boyers Exec Search £100,000.00
- KPMG - PSG Jonathan Boyers Exec Search £50,000
- Coinbase - Prime Services Brett Tejpaul Lino Venditti Exec Search £21,500.00
- KPMG - Renewable Energy - Bristol Ian Wood Claire Edwards Opportunistic £17,600.00
- KPMG - FS - Partner Jonathan Boyers James Byrne Opportunistic £150,000.00
Timeline
Global Head of Professional & Financial Services
Integral Search
2023.09 - 2025.11
Director Professional and Financial Services
ZRG Partners
2020.03 - 2023.01
Director
Finlay Gardener Executive Search
2017.03 - 2020.02
Executive Search
Stanton Chase Dubai
2015.01 - 2016.11
Director Europe
Green Street Partners USA LLC
2010.01 - 2014.12
Manager Banking & Finance Recruitment
Hillman Saunders
2005.10 - 2009.12
Senior Consultant
Robert Half International
2004.01 - 2005.09
Consultant Accountancy, Public Practice
Michael Page Int.
2000.05 - 2003.12
Negotiator
Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward
1996.01 - 1999.01
BA - Economics
Kings College, University London
1991.01 - 1992.01
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Kings College Taunton
1985.01 - 1990.01