20 December 2023
AQ is delighted to announce three internal promotions for January 2024. Helene Usherwood is promoted to the new role of Senior Partner, recognising her six years of outstanding service in the development of the business. Akhil Yerneni becomes a Partner. He joined the business in 2019 with this promotion testament to his tremendous contribution. Samantha Bryan-Ross becomes a Senior Consultant following a stellar start to her AQ life, having joined the business in 2022.
With over 20 years’ headhunting experience, Helene has appointed to senior roles within the arts, health, and education fields as well as central and local government. Joining Anderson Quigley in 2018, Helene has established and continues her work specialising in the appointment of executive and non-executive directors in the NHS covering acute, ambulance service, primary care, mental health, and regulatory bodies as well as national organisations and Royal Colleges.
In addition to her work with NHS Trusts, Helene has established Anderson Quigley’s Board Practice, working across all sectors to appoint Chairs and Non-Executive Directors. She has developed excellent networks across the public and private sectors to encourage greater levels of diversity around the Boardroom table. As well as providing bespoke services, advice and guidance to her clients and candidates Helene is highly motivated to provide careers advice and guidance to individuals, especially to those who have not previously considered a non-executive opportunity before but whom have unique insights and skills to offer.
In 2019, Akhil joined Anderson Quigley to provide support to the research team in identifying candidates for time-critical senior interim positions within the Higher Education and not-for-profit sectors. Over the last five years, Akhil has played a pivotal role in enhancing Anderson Quigley’s influence in both public and private Higher Education.
He has successfully led and executed over 150 interim and permanent leadership and executive appointments, contributing to the growth and development of more than 60 Higher Education Institutions. With a strong passion for constructing diverse leadership and executive teams from the top down, especially for organisations seeking change and transformation, Akhil is committed to further expanding AQ’s presence in the UK and beyond.
His focus will encompass both academic and professional services leadership roles, finding particular satisfaction in appointing candidates with developmental potential to become forward-thinking leaders.
Samantha has several years’ experience in public sector executive search, specialising in higher education and life sciences. After graduating from Coventry University with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Law, she joined a specialist firm owned by the University of Warwick.
This was followed by a move to a boutique firm where she developed a higher education desk running end-to-end processes for permanent appointments in the sector, as well as supporting on CEO appointments across wider sectors. Samantha joined Anderson Quigley in 2022 to support and grow the education team.
Commenting on the promotions, AQ Managing Partner Ed Pritchard said, “With 2023 drawing to a close, I could not be happier to announce these important promotions, all of which represent their outstanding contribution to AQ. Three fantastic players in the industry’s best team.”
