Who We Are
Simon Stephenson simon@exec-research.co.uk
Simon undertook a career in the Army, which included serving in the Falklands campaign, being an Equerry to the Prince of Wales and running the operations for a 10,000 strong multinational air-mobile trial. He completed an MBA at Cranfield before leaving the Army in 1992. He then spent 4 years in Executive Recruitment. He established Stephenson Research Associates in 1998. Simon specialises in senior level executive research, where the ability to deal with Board level appointees across a number of industry sectors is vital. He is currently Co-Chairman of the Executive Research Association and has written widely about the research process and the future direction of the industry. After 6.30 in the evening you will find Simon riding on his horse on top of the hills.
Karen Smith karen@exec-research.co.uk
Karen has a Joint Honours degree in French and Spanish from St Andrews University and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Marketing and Languages from Napier University, Edinburgh. With over 17 years working within a wide range of commercial environments, including six in recruitment, Karen brings her diverse experience to the team. A Scot and married to an Army Officer she is accustomed to being resourceful, flexible and adaptable to new situations. Her hobbies include cycling, hill walking, exploring remote countries and water colour painting.
Michelle Stanley michelle@exec-research.co.uk
Michelle joined SRA as an executive researcher in March 2005. Prior to that she gained experience by building up her work portfolio by undertaking several different roles in multiple vertical sectors. These included assisting a world leading defence technology and security company in the delivery of its IT & telecommunication requirements. Michelle also has experience in post and pre-sales environments and has supported a postal company in the development of automated payment/benefit systems.
Michelle is a trained artist and in her spare time (what she has of it) she pursues her artistic talents in the hope of being discovered. She admits that the chances of this are slim; her close friends and family agree.
Julie Selby julie@exec-research.co.uk
Julie strengthens SRA's public sector research capability. Brought up and educated in Kent, Julie has worked in central Government, where appointments included board-level support, field-office management, and research. Julie has worked on various research projects, both in the UK and in the Near and Far East. More recently she has worked in property management. Married with two teenagers, Julie's limited spare time is spent travelling and enjoying the theatre and outdoor life - riding, exercising her dog, offshore sailing and skiing.
Vivienne Cuckow Vivienne@exec-research.co.uk
Vivienne is graduate of University College, London and the University of Freiburg. She has spent most of her career working the engineering and power sectors, principally in the areas of regulatory affairs and international business development. Prior to joining SRA she was director of an executive recruitment company specialising in senior level assignments in the energy sector. Vivienne has always had a strong interest in staff development and has worked been a mentor and has worked on women’s development courses. She is also a qualified executive coach. She speaks German fluently, French adequately and can struggle by in Italian and Spanish. Vivienne lives in Wiltshire. Her passions are travel (but not commuting), yoga, Pilates, paintings and shoes.
Sarah Lewis sarah@exec-research.co.uk
Sarah comes from a background of journalism, PR and marketing. Originally trained as a fashion designer, she moved into fashion journalism firstly with Marshall Cavendish Publications followed by Conde Nast Publications where she was a regional editor for six years on the prestigious magazine titles Vogue, Brides and House & Garden. When she married, she moved to Somerset and continued as a freelance journalist and then rolled over her knowledge and experience into PR & Marketing handling accounts varying from hotels to fashion houses, travel companies and most excitingly, one or two famous explorers! Throughout, she has worked closely with radio and television as well national and international media.
Living in an idyllic spot in Somerset, Sarah enjoys outdoor pursuits and sports particularly equestrianism, tennis and gym. Animals are her passion (horses, rare breed pigs and dogs!) alongside fashion, art and entertaining.