Spencer Stuart has appointed Shami Iqbal as UK Managing Partner. He succeeds Simon Fenton, who has served a three-year term as Managing Partner following his return to the UK after seven years based in Hong Kong from where he led the firm’s Asia-Pacific business.
Prior to taking up his role as UK Managing Partner, Iqbal has been leading the firm’s legal, compliance and government affairs practice in EMEA and chairing Spencer Stuart UK’s diversity equity and inclusion committee. Before his 15-year career in executive search and leadership consulting, he was a sports lawyer at a leading London law firm. “Mr. Iqbal brings a wealth of experience and proven capabilities to the role and is highly regarded across the Spencer Stuart partnership,” said the search firm.
“It is an incredibly exciting time to take the reins in London as we continue to support our clients with their leadership needs post the pandemic,” Mr. Iqbal said. “Expectations on leaders have never been higher, and I am delighted to be working with an incredibly talented UK team as we, and our clients, navigate an evolving commercial, environmental, social and governance landscape.”
“I am incredibly grateful to Simon for his enormous contribution to the U.K. business and for steering the firm through an unprecedented period,” said Hugh Thorneycroft, who leads Spencer Stuart’s regional operations in EMEA. “Over the past 18 months we have focused on U.K. leadership succession and we are delighted to appoint a successor as capable as Shami who will lead with great energy and judgment.”