Meet the Team
Meet the talented team of individuals who are the HW Group









We are experts in all that we do, building embedded and long-lasting relationships through the delivery of exceptional results for both candidates and clients alike.
Interested in joining the team? We’re always looking for talented people to join us. Find out more
HW Global Executive Search
Our Team
Adrian Hitchenor
Partner, HW Group
HW Global Executive Search, HW Group
Adrian established HW in 2006 as a founding Partner with a view to disrupting the traditional search approach.
Having previously led a successful recruitment business through organic growth and a merger before initiating its sale to a Plc in 2004.
Specific Focus
Public and entrepreneurial private businesses across a range of sectors.
John Wakeford
Partner, HW Group
HW Global Executive Search, HW Group
John founded HW in 2006 following a decade-long career as a finance leader in industry, and has seen the company go from strength to strength. He is a qualified ACMA and Corporate Treasurer. John has 20 years’ hands-on Executive Search expertise across the UK and Europe.
Specific Focus
Finance and Financial Services.
Mark Snelling
Partner, Interim Solutions
Interim Solutions
Mark joined HW Group in 2022 to develop and scale its executive interim offering. With more than 20 years of experience in senior interim management, managed services and resource augmentation, he works with clients to shape leadership and delivery support around their strategic priorities. His earlier experience leading finance and audit teams brings a practical business perspective to each engagement.
Specific Focus
Change & Transformation, Project support, and Technology.
Spencer Jinks
Group CEO, HW Group
HW Global Executive Search, HW Group
Spencer is the Group CEO and also leads the Global Consumer Search Practice. Accountable for the identification and development of key client relationships and the execution of Senior Executive mandates across global geographies, up to and including Board level appointments.
Specific Focus
FMCG/CPG, QSR and Retail
Julia Collings
Director, HW Global Executive Search
HW Global Executive Search
Julia is a Director in the Financial Services practice at HW Global. Accountable for leading and developing key client relationships, and the execution of Senior Executive mandates up to and including Board level appointments.
She has more than 25 years’ recruitment experience including 15 years within Executive Search at HW Global.
Specific Focus
Financial Services
Robert Pettican
CFO, HW Group
HW Group
After beginning his career at KPMG before moving into corporate finance, Rob joined HW in 2019 to lead all areas of financial management.
Working closely with HW’s advisors and stakeholders, Rob is responsible for the group’s finances, M&A activity and strategic direction.
Lorraine Robertson
Director, Interim Solutions
Interim Solutions
Lorraine combines senior financial services experience with expertise in executive and senior interim recruitment. Her background includes domestic and international banking roles, giving her insight into complex organisational challenges. She supports clients across change and transformation, digital and technology, risk, regulatory compliance, finance and wider business functions.
Nick Cochrane
Director, Zebra People
Zebra People
Nick founded Zebra People in 2001, the first agency of its kind in Europe. Zebra then became a part of the HW Group in 2018.
As well as being a Digital Specialist, Nick wanted to offer exceptional customer service, consultants with true expertise, and a home for recruiters to build a career in a safe and supportive environment.
Nick has launched pioneering events such as UX People, India’s first UX Conference, and Zebra Labs, training sessions to help digital professionals’ skill up. As well as running the business and supporting the industry, Nick continues to have a hands-on role in recruitment whilst working with the Zebra People team to offer clients and candidates the best possible service.
Ben Clarfelt
Director, Zebra People
Zebra People
Ben joined Zebra People in 2009 when the business was still in its infancy. Four years later he became a Director, charged with growing and leading the business.
Ben’s been a UX recruiter for more than a decade, and his passion for the space, as well as the people in it, have kept him in a hands-on role at the heart of the business. Ben invests heavily in the industry, leading an annual salary survey that’s widely used across Digital recruitment, sponsoring/hosting events, and making leadership introductions between companies to cultivate knowledge sharing and thought leadership.