Natasha Makhijani - At the top of her game, delivering next generation business leaders to the world

Introduction - Natasha Makhijani is Group CEO of executive search firm Oliver Sanderson Group PLC . Under her leadership, Oliver Sanderson has built up a strong track record of c-suite appointments in the interim and permanent markets globally recruiting for the FTSE and the Fortune 500 while making waves with its own award-winning digital recruitment platform Snapp CV and a DEI charity. Combining experience and expertise with innovation and fresh thinking, Natasha and her team at Oliver Sanderson are leading the way in discovering the next generation of business leaders.

Being the ambitious individual that she is Natasha was offered the opportunity to work with Michael Page and Robert Walters. She started with Michael Page Human Resources in October 2006. In her first year, she was their top biller within HR. She set up their St Albans office and then moved to London to set up permanent recruitment for the Public Sector. She was promoted to Managing Consultant and contributed to the growth of the Public sector office billing over £1 million.

Natasha’s ambition took her a step further and she set up Oliver Sanderson Group. She currently recruits from Board level to middle management roles cross-sector.

One of Oliver Sanderson’s specialisms is in digital recruitment - they are pioneers of digital innovations in Executive Search and recruitment. Natasha co-founded Snapp CV, the world’s first voice-technology enabled mobile jobs platform with exclusive Amazon Alexa integration. If you ask your Amazon Alexa device to “Find me a job”, the search will be powered by Snapp CV. The platform recently featured on the Mayor of London's TechInvest programme, an initiative delivered in alliance with the UK Business Angels Association to showcase London’s most ground-breaking tech start-up businesses.

Natasha Makhijani receiving the World's Best Emerging Leader at the House of Lords from Baroness Sandip Verma and Baroness Pola Uddin.

WCRCLEADERS in conversation with Natasha Makhijani, Group CEO, Oliver Sanderson Group PLC

What makes a strong leader? What are your key leadership strengths are make the strongest attributes of success.

My leadership style focuses on empowering others to achieve success together. I am a kind, supportive, and energetic businesswoman, with a passion for watching people develop and achieve their objectives. Since founding Oliver Sanderson in 2011, I have nurtured several colleagues to build rewarding careers in the industry.

An accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career? What challenges did you face to reach to the success.

Oliver Sanderson was honoured to be invited to feature in the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album, in a section highlighting aligned organisations. The company was selected for its "transformational contribution" to the sphere of business, which stands as one of our proudest achievements. As a British Asian, my life has been shaped by the Royal Family, and I was particularly inspired by the Queen. Her values, global presence, exceptional work ethic, and unwavering commitment to service, even in the face of challenging circumstances, have always been influential. This recognition in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album serves as a testament to our brand and its impact in the business world. It highlights our dedication to driving positive change, fostering inclusivity, and making a meaningful difference within the recruitment industry. For our brand to appear in an official Jubilee album, published by St. James’s House – a major accolade for our team, and my proudest moment.

What makes it even more special is the challenges we've faced to get here. I started the company from my living room in 2011 – just me and my laptop – and ten years later we are an international firm working with FTSE 100, FTSE 350, and Fortune 500 companies, and winning prestigious awards! So the journey has been worthwhile and rewarding, however difficult it may have seemed at certain points.

What is a role of leader in these challenging times.

As the Group CEO of Oliver Sanderson, I prioritize: