An Interview with Emma Panariello
Pratap Executive is delighted to welcome Emma back to Executive Search. With nearly two decades in search and six years as a CEO, she brings invaluable leadership insights. In this interview, she shares her journey, industry shifts, and vision for helping businesses identify top talent.
An Interview with Emma Panariello
Pratap Executive is delighted to welcome Emma back to Executive Search. With nearly two decades in search and six years as a CEO, she brings invaluable leadership insights. In this interview, she shares her journey, industry shifts, and vision for helping businesses identify top talent.
Introduction and Bio
We are delighted to welcome Emma to the Pratap Executive team. Having first started working with Emma in 2014 we know first-hand the expertise, insight, and energy she brings to executive search. Her extensive experience as both a CEO and a Search Consultant makes her a fantastic addition to our team.
Over the past six years, Emma has led Cavendish Cancer Care in Sheffield through a period of transformation, implementing a digital strategy to expand access to services, restructuring the team, and driving an income increase of over 45% during her tenure. She also successfully guided the organisation through a merger, strengthening its long-term impact. Her first-hand leadership experience gives her a unique perspective on the challenges executives face today, and we are delighted to have her back working with us.
Welcome to Pratap Executive, welcome back to the team, and a big welcome back to the search industry. Please share your recent story and tell us what has influenced your decision to join us.
Having built a successful career in search over almost 20 years, I was eager to apply my expertise and network in a way that could make a tangible impact on a cause close to my heart. Leading Cavendish Cancer Care for six years was an incredibly fulfilling journey, during which we achieved significant growth, innovation, and a successful merger. With the organisation in a strong position for the future, I felt it was the right moment to embrace a new challenge. When I learned about Pratap Executive’s ambitious vision for expanding their executive search function, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to bring my experience back into the industry with a team I deeply respect and admire.
Tell us what it meant to be CEO of Cavendish Cancer Care. How has that experience developed your ability to lead executive search?
During my time at Cavendish Cancer Care, I significantly broadened my commercial and leadership expertise, gaining hands-on experience in strategic decision-making, financial management, and stakeholder engagement. This role provided me with a deep, first-hand understanding of the challenges business leaders face-from navigating economic uncertainties to driving sustainable growth.
Leading teams, managing complex projects, and fostering key partnerships have strengthened my ability to balance commercial priorities with long-term vision. I’ve also developed a keen ability to adapt to shifting market conditions and tackle challenges with a strategic, solutions-focused approach.
I’m excited to bring this experience to my role at Pratap Executive, using my insight into leadership dynamics to better understand the needs of businesses and identify exceptional talent. Having been in a leadership role myself, I truly appreciate what it takes to steer an organisation forward, and I look forward to supporting clients in making strategic hiring decisions that align with their long-term ambitions.
You have kept your network warm while you have been away from the search sector. How have you managed to do this?
Networking is just as crucial in the charity sector as it is in executive search, though the nature of the relationships naturally differs. Many of my business connections from my previous search role became passionate supporters of the charity, allowing us to collaborate, share insights, and navigate an ever-evolving professional landscape together. I firmly believe in the power of strong, mutually beneficial relationships where businesses and leaders support one another in tackling complex challenges at the highest level.
During my time as a charity CEO, I remained actively engaged with the regional business community, attending key industry events, speaking at high-profile gatherings such as the IoD Annual Awards Dinner, and hosting the charity’s own events to strengthen connections and drive support. These experiences have reinforced my belief that meaningful relationships are the foundation of success, both in business and beyond.
What have been the busiest changes since your last day in the sector in 2018 and the industry today?
The executive landscape has definitely changed since I was last working within the sector. In recent years, leaders have had to navigate an almost constant state of uncertainty, from the impact of COVID-19 and economic instability to geopolitical tensions and shifting political landscapes. The ability to remain agile, resilient, and forward-thinking has never been more critical.
Technology has also transformed the way businesses operate, with AI and digital innovation reshaping everything from decision-making to talent acquisition. Meanwhile, shifting generational priorities have placed a greater emphasis on flexibility, purpose-driven leadership, and meaningful career progression. Organisations are adapting to attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive market.
The expectations of senior leaders have evolved too, success is no longer just about commercial performance but also about fostering inclusive cultures, driving sustainability, and leading with authenticity. These changes make it an exciting time to return to executive search, and I look forward to helping businesses find the right leaders to navigate this ever-changing landscape.
What are your objectives for the foreseeable future?
My focus is on making a meaningful impact, both professionally and personally. I’m looking forward to bringing my leadership experience back into executive search, helping businesses find exceptional leaders who drive success. At the same time, I want to embrace the opportunities that come with this new chapter, balancing a fulfilling career with time spent with my children and maintaining my own well-being. For me, success is about building strong, lasting relationships and delivering outcomes that truly make a difference.
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