Our People

A founding Partner and our Partner for Executive Search.

Elise has been working with the partners of our business for over 20 years, evolving to specialise in executive level search in 2020. This has energised her to build a fresh and positive approach to search – utilising all the positive features of traditional search with the latest evolutions in technology. She is a strong advocate of the positive application of ED&I in her searches – delivering shortlists that fit the original brief and with options to provide a positive challenge to the shortlist.

Working across a range of sectors but maintaining a deep reach into the professional services, financial services and FMCG sectors.

• Graduate from The University of Durham
• Alumni from BDO Leeds office (2005)
• Proactive networker across the Yorkshire region across the CPO, CEO and Advisory landscape
• Born and raised in Teeside before moving to Yorkshire in 2002

"I have been building my career in executive search since 2005, starting in the professional advisory sector, where I honed my skills in finding hard-to-reach talent in competitive industries. As a founding partner of Pratap Partnership, our bespoke, hands-on approach quickly resonated with clients and remains core to our ethos. Since 2019, I have led C-suite searches for CEO, COO, CPO, CTO, and NED roles across businesses in the North, focusing on data-driven insights, effective ED&I, and creating compelling opportunities. My mission is to see more Northern-based consultants leading executive searches, as I believe a local focus enhances the quality of the process".

A founding Partner and our Partner for Executive Search.

Gillian has been one of the most prolific recruiters of CFOs and FDs across the North over the past few years.

She has worked with our team for over 20 years – exclusively specialising within the finance discipline. Having supported Nik Pratap in his delivery in this market for several years, she evolved to lead in this space in 2021. She has focussed all of her networking within the CFO, private equity and professional advisory network. She has fought the initial imposter syndrome that many face in this market to raise the volume of her influence and her voice in the market.

She produces the annual CFO Network Report – which is seen by many in the industry as the formative guide to the financial leadership community in our region.

• Graduate from Queens University, Belfast.
• Early years recruitment experience at Hays Senior Finance
• Author of the CFO Network Report
• Proactive networker across the Yorkshire region across the CFO, PE and advisory landscape

"My specialism within the private equity sector originated in 2013. This was when Enact appointed me to find a CFO for one of their investments – a process that resulted in a successful placement, my first practical PE experience and a lasting relationship with Chris Cormack – forever my “first VIP contact in PE”. I have spent every subsequent year carving my niche within the CFO appointments sector in the North – recruiting for the PE Houses in the region and those across the UK with investments here. I’ve learned a lot, taken plenty of advice, and remained true to myself, which I believe is key to building lasting relationships. I am incredibly proud to be part of the vibrant investment and advisory community in the North. My role is to create value for the outstanding businesses in our region by identifying the very best CFOs for them".

Leading successful executive recruitment delivery across Yorkshire & the Midlands since 1999.

Having founded Pratap Partnership in 2019 and leading the company to an EOT exit in 2023. Nik leads on some of our searches, but his main role is to partner with the rest of our team to provide every search with the support of our Managing Partner.

His South Yorkshire roots have embedded a deep knowledge of the manufacturing and engineering sectors. He balances this with a focus on the developing sectors of healthcare, energy and technology.

• Theology Graduate from The University of Durham
• Alumni from PwC Sheffield office 1999
• Former National Director for Hays plc
• REMCo of Recruitment & Employment Confederation
• Highly Commended Business Leader of the Year in 2021 for REC Awards
• Trustee of Make-A-Wish UK since December 2023.

"Pratap Executive is the fulfilment of my ambition to create an influential search firm in the North and Midlands, serving employers across these regions.

My years in the industry have provided me with an outstanding team and an extended "personal board of directors" who have guided our evolution. Our passion at Pratap Executive lies in the regions we serve, the network of leaders in our community, and a commitment to embracing change—from people strategies to technology and processes. This passion is balanced by our dedication to progress over emotion; we have always walked before running, and our brand is built on the principle of having no detractors and then building up advocacy.

Our value creation comes from building exceptional leadership teams and contributing to successful people strategies for employers. We also take pride in positively influencing the career decisions of every person we meet".

Amanda has been working with businesses across Yorkshire for over 20 years. Her portfolio includes come of the largest corporates in the region and those in the top growth quartile. She leads on finance leadership searches within the region, as well as managing the full relationships with some of our most important client relationships.

She has worked with our team since 2000, joining Pratap Executive in 2021. Her previous experience as one of the regional leaders for a listed recruitment business have built a foundation of professionalism and quality to her natural profile of ethics, hard work and laser focus on getting the fine details right.

Based in Emley Moor near Huddersfield, Amanda is dedicated to engaging with and supporting growing companies across Kirklees and Calderdale. She specialises in helping businesses strengthen their leadership and management teams—key pillars for sustainable growth. Amanda’s mission is to ensure that companies in our region have the strategic people solutions and leadership infrastructure necessary to thrive.

• Graduate in Psychology from the University in Leeds
• Former Director at Hays Plc
• Deputy Chair of the charity Business Beats Cancer Yorkshire since 2022
• Born and raised in the Bahamas before relocating to West Yorkshire

"My two roles of Partner at Pratap Executive and Board Member of 'Business Beats Cancer' allow me to create value in the people strategies of growing employers and supporting my purpose of supporting a fantastic charity.

The Yorkshire business network has been important to me throughout my career. It is always a privilege to support the ambitions of employers across the region".

Experience and network built over the course of three decades of search across the East Midlands and Lincolnshire. Charlotte has a history, a passion and an affinity for the region that is second to none.

With over 30 years’ service at Hays plc, Charlotte was a statement hire for us when she joined our team in 2021.

Charlotte has seen many evolutions in the search sector over her career – ensuring that she keeps ahead of the latest advances in technology and methodology. She sets a target of perfection for each of her clients and candidates, both in terms of the service she delivers and their own results.

She produces the annual CFO Network Report – which is seen by many in the industry as the formative guide to the financial leadership community in our region.

• Graduate from The University of Reading in 1988.
• Price Waterhouse alumni (London Bridge office between 1988 - 1990)
• Former Business Director with Hays PLC.
• Born and raised in Devonshire before moving to the East Midlands in 1990.

"I live in the heart of Lincolnshire in a barn conversion that has seen my two boys grow up and graduate, three generations living together at the same time, and all alongside my horses, dogs, cats, chickens and ducks.

Family and the countryside are two of my passions, matched in many ways by my passion for the search sector. I have seen a lot over my career but have seen the very highest of standards and ambition during my time at Pratap Executive. It is a privilege to be a part of that”.

‍

Euan’s remit is to lead the executive and leadership appointments for businesses across the full range of sectors in the East Midlands.

Euan first started working with our partners in 2008 and brings over fifteen years of experience gained, predominantly within the financial leadership discipline. He has built up his experience from the foundations of a listed recruitment specialist, boutique specialists and international search to concentrate his focus on the region that he calls home.

He produces the annual CFO Network Report – which is seen by many in the industry as the formative guide to the financial leadership community in our region.

• A proud Scotsman born in Edinburgh and raised in Peebles.
• Proactive networker across the CFO, PE and Advisory landscape in the East Midlands – especially when it comes to golf events (currently playing off 11.2).
• Co-produces the East Midlands CFO Network Report with Gillian McBride.

"I have a lot to thank the East Midlands business community for since moving here in 2002. The region punches well above its weight with a landscape of successful corporates, high-growth SMEs and a high-calibre advisor community. The region has a strong identity but does not always sing its praises too loudly. This undoubtedly suits my personality.

Connecting great leaders in the East Midlands and attracting new talent into the region are the two purposes behind my work..."