Though Dr. Sue Henley is an independent Consultant Psychologist, she is nonetheless a vital part of the Ascentador team and its resident expert in psychological assessment and testing. One of the most senior and experienced business psychologists in the United Kingdom, Sue began her career as an academic (in addition to her doctorate in Psychology, she holds a Bachelor of Science, the British Psychological Society's Diploma in Clinical Psychology, and is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society's Diploma in Clinical Psychology, and is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society), then spent a period as a Clinical Psychologist at University College and Great Ormond Street Hospitals in London.

The turning point in her career came when she joined SHL, perhaps the world's best known developer of psychometric instruments, where she was pivotal in expanding the business and in researching the characteristics of successful international leaders. This experience led Sue to turn her professional focus to the world of business, initially as a partner at Whitehead Mann, then the UK's leading executive search firm, and subsequently at its executive development and coaching arm, The Change Partnership.

One of the most accomplished and sought-after Consultant Psychologists in the industry, Sue is also a well-known speaker and has presented on executive assessment and leadership characteristics to industrial, military, medical, academic and media audiences over many years. "I am delighted to be an extension of the Ascentador team and believe that the inclusion of psychological evaluation in the talent migration process helps to 'de-risk' the process for clients and executives alike."

Chris van Someren is the Chief Executive and Founder of Ascentador and an acknowledged expert in talent management consulting. After more than two decades in the industry, and with direct experience serving clients in more than 35 countries from bases in London, New York and Singapore, Chris is a true internationalist, a passionate innovator of the consulting process and a committed partner to his clients and colleagues alike. With longstanding client relationships that span multiple industries and geographies, Chris brings powerful problem-solving and networking skills to everything he does.

Prior to founding Ascentador, Chris held a series of senior management positions with Korn/Ferry International, ultimately driving the history-making turnaround of that firm's EMEA business, of which he was the President. Today, Chris leverages both his skills as a successful business leader and his deep know-how as a management consultant to deliver Ascentador's proprietary service offering around the globe.

As Chris says, "Insightful clients recognize that the old way of doing things delivers less and less value. Such clients have raised the bar both in terms of the complexity of their needs and the rigor of the solutions they require. At Ascentador, we believe the future belongs to those with the vision and courage to innovate".

Andrew Bailey is a founding Partner of Ascentador, to which he brings a breadth of business experience in both industry and in professional services. Andrew's professional skills and appreciation of diverse cultures were honed by the experience of having lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

With a reputation for managing senior-level relationships and for delivering creative client solutions across many markets, Andrew is a true internationalist with a deep understanding of global talent migration and genuine insight into the leadership issues being faced by multinational clients today.

Prior to joining Ascentador, Andrew was a Senior Partner in the Singapore office of Korn/Ferry International, where he was recognized for the quality of his extensive knowledge of the financial services industry. Before moving into consulting, Andrew spent sixteen years in investment banking where he developed his functional expertise in client relationship management primarily with one of the leading US institutions.

Today, Andrew draws upon his "global citizenship" and his aptitude for delivering innovative solutions to partner with clients across all regions. As he says, "Talent today is a truly global commodity, and only those individuals possessing both a strategic and transferable skill-set, coupled with geographic mobility, can provide the senior leadership required to address the challenges of a rapidly-changing business world".

Leon Smith co-founded Ascentador and now divides his time as an independent Partner of the firm and as the Principal of his own, Africa-focused consulting practice, Renaissance Talent Solutions. Leon sets himself apart through a clear understanding of the demands and dynamics of the Boardroom, and is especially gifted at helping Chief Executives and their top teams align in support of the business agenda.

Prior to Ascentador, Leon progressed through a series of professional and management positions over more than two decades at global diamond industry leader De Beers, where he was ultimately appointed to serve as Group Human Resources Director in 2005, a position he held for three years. He is particularly known for simplifying the way work is organized and for developing uncomplicated business processes to improve talent development and employee productivity. In addition, he served as a trusted advisor to many members of the company's Executive Committee.

Leon says, "We bring value by providing innovative talent management solutions, including organizational design, deployment and engagement approaches, to solve our client's underlying business challenges".

Based in Atlanta, but with extensive international experience, Christopher Horseman is an independent Partner who manages engagements that span the executive suite, with a particular emphasis on the executive recruitment of general management, senior marketing and related operational talent. Christopher began his career in a family business serving the thoroughbred horse industry, personally managing relationships with key clients at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga Racetracks. Thereafter, he progressed through a series of management positions in the retail and real estate sectors before becoming Director of Retail Operations for a New York-based winery. In this role, Christopher established the state's only retail operation dedicated exclusively to the promotion and sale of New York wines.

In 2001, Christopher joined the world's largest executive search firm, Korn/Ferry International. There, he focused on recruiting senior executives for marketing-driven and consumer-focused companies with a concentration in the Advertising & Marketing Services, Luxury, and Beverage Alcohol Industries. A particular focus of his work has been the migration of Western talent into new and emerging markets worldwide. He also managed the global execution team for one of the industry's most productive practices.

Christopher says, "I take great pride in being on the front line for our clients around the world and believe that efficient, high quality diagnosis and delivery is what really separates Ascentador from its competitors".

Based in London but with worldwide responsibilities, Carolyne King is the Business Manager for Ascentador, and manages the firm's "back office" functions including Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Technology, Traffic, as well as all external vendor relationships.

Carolyne was previously with Korn/Ferry International, the world's largest executive search firm, where she spent eight years working across various industries including professional services, financial services, retail & luxury goods before moving into a more internally focused role assisting the President, EMEA. Previously, Carolyne worked at a public accounting firm concentrating on personal wealth management for high net worth individuals. She began her career as part of a successful sales and marketing team at a large country house hotel.

"I strive to bring the same client-centrism and commitment to excellence to the internal processes at Ascentador as we bring to our clients and candidates on the outside", says Carolyne. "Our work in talent management can only be successful if we deploy our gifted team in the most efficient way possible, and that is my focus".

Isabelle Martin Hotimsky is a Non-Executive Director of Ascentador and an original, key contributor to the development of the firm's ideation and solutions development process. She graduated with a degree in Economics from the University Libre de Bruxelles in 1978 and won an MBA from Columbia University in 1981. Isabelle joined JP Morgan in Brussels as a graduate and continued her career in banking with Banque Nationale de Paris in Paris, London and New York, focusing principally on Capital Markets.

In 1992, she joined the London office of Heidrick & Struggles, the global executive search firm, where she served as a Partner in Financial Services until 1999. In 2000, she joined Korn/Ferry International as a Partner following a brief period as an entrepreneur. In this market-leading firm, she managed the European Financial Services business and served as a member of the European Management Committee. Her recruitment experience has been focused on general management and non-executive director positions in the financial services industry but has spanned sectors from investment banking to asset management.

Isabelle now leads the Not-for-Profit Practice of Veni Partners, the specialist executive search and advisory firm, but remains of counsel to Ascentador.

Christine Koetsier is an independent Amsterdam-based Partner with extensive international experience. She is the initiator of and ambassador for regeneration retreats for female executives from the global business arena. Her main passion is helping her clients progress. With a lifelong focus on gender balance, diversity & inclusion, and related services, Christine is an outspoken specialist for the cause of diversity, and has a particular expertise in the areas of change & change management, corporate/business development, executive development, and general management.

Christine began her career in marketing & sales with a family owned business before moving to Royal Numico, now part of Danone. After a stint in the e-commerce industry, she entered the world of Talent Management in 2001. Since becoming a management consultant, she has led several Global Women in Leadership Initiatives, including initiating and commissioning a research project, Gender Diversity in Corporate Governance. This ground-breaking study examined the composition, codes and country practices of Boards of Directors in France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and led to the publication of the First 100 Women Industry Index by Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Married with three sons in addition to her career, Christine knows the challenges of work/life balance first-hand. As Christine says, "At Ascentador we seek to remember the 'human' aspect of human resources and to carry out our projects with sensitivity to the way our work impacts not just careers, but people's lives."