The leaders who
survive the next
operating model.
We place product and technology leaders who lead in an AI-shaped operating model — not just survive one. For UK investor-backed businesses, and for founders making their first C-suite hire.
OUR PURPOSE
Leadership execution
sat at the front
of the deal.
Most senior hires look strong on paper. The portfolio is polished. But product velocity stalls. Margins don’t move. The board loses a year.
Hiring leadership is one of the biggest decisions a business makes. One wrong appointment can slow momentum, unsettle teams and put growth plans at risk. We help businesses reduce that risk by pressure-testing leadership before they hire.
WHAT WE DO
What we bring to every search: We find product and technology leaders for investor-backed businesses, and we help pressure-test leadership before they sign.
WHO WE ARE
We understand
leadership from
the inside.
Be founded Smithfield Search with long-time collaborators, bringing together more than 50 years of combined experience across talent, innovation and organisational change. That depth shows in the way the business operates: discreetly, thoughtfully and with a clear view of both the market and the mission behind each search.
FOUNDER
Be Kaler Pilgrim
Before launching Smithfield Search, Be built a career at the intersection of executive recruitment, advisory work and sector insight, developing a reputation for thoughtful judgement, strong networks and a genuinely considered approach to leadership hiring. She also shares market commentary and ideas through Smithfield Search’s articles and podcast work, reflecting a wider interest in where leadership, creativity and technology are heading.
ADVISOR
Nicolas Roope
Nicolas brings 30 years at the forefront of the digital industry, having led major commercial digital projects for global brands. As creative director, he headed Heineken's global digital communications, oversaw Skype's explosive growth, and played a pivotal role in EE's launch. Nicolas co-founded and led digital agency Poke for 18 years, delivering innovative experiences for leading multinationals. His award-winning work includes 10 Webby Awards and the London Design Festival's Design Entrepreneur Medal. He was co-founder of lighting brand Plumen, sold in 2022.
ADVISOR
Sarah Vick
Sarah is a Non-Executive Chair and Director to agencies and technology businesses, helping define and execute growth strategies with a focus on bringing leadership teams together to deliver their vision. With 20+ years managing digital agencies worldwide, she brings deep operational expertise to boardroom strategy. Sarah specialises in scaling creative and technology businesses, providing strategic guidance on organisational development, market expansion, and leadership alignment to drive sustainable growth.
ADVISOR
Tiffany St James
Tiffany is an award-winning digital strategist leading transformational change in global organisations and governments. Recognised as one of 25 women who have changed the British Digital Industry in the last 25 years, she brings deep expertise in digital transformation and strategic innovation. Tiffany helps organisations navigate complex digital challenges, delivering sustainable change through human-centred approaches. Her work spans across public and private sectors, driving meaningful impact at scale.
ADVISOR
Craig Unsworth
Craig is a portfolio Chief Product Officer and NED specialising in Private Equity, AI, and transformation. He drives high-impact, product-led growth across B2B SaaS, data, information services, and content businesses, with a track record of 50+ transactions and moonshot outcomes. Craig combines deep product expertise with PE experience to help businesses scale through technology and innovation. He is behind Chiefly Product, one of Substack's top 100 technology publications.
ADVISOR
Julian Hirst
Julian is a builder, advisor, and fixer for fast-moving companies ready to scale. With extensive experience helping founders navigate growth challenges, he specialises in cutting through noise to sharpen strategy and focus on what matters most. Julian brings purpose, pace, and discipline to transformation initiatives, working with leadership teams to accelerate their path to scale. His approach combines strategic clarity with operational expertise to drive meaningful business outcomes.
ADVISOR
Namrata Sarmah
Namrata is a C-suite operator, NED, and Founder with 17+ years' experience across the UK, US, EMEA, and APAC in building, scaling, and transforming businesses. She has worked with publicly-listed and PE-backed corporations across Education, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Broadcast Media, and Telecom sectors. Namrata serves as Non-Executive Director at The Open University Business School and Rise, Advisor at Antler (early stage VC), and Founder of Women in Product UK and CPO Track communities.
HOW WE DO IT
Thirty years at
the front line.
Deep UK product, design and technology networks built over three decades. Eight to twelve weeks. Partner-led from first call to placement. AI durability is in the brief from day one.
We focus on leaders who run businesses, not just functions. People who can move comfortably between day-to-day operations and strategic decision-making, and add value in both.
AI-ready leadership is now part of business leadership. We place people who can lead effectively as the way work changes.
Deep UK product, tech and design networks built over three decades.
Clear briefs, honest shortlists, direct feedback. If it is not right, we say it.
Partner-led, from start to finish.
Featured
articles
The Invisible Fundraising Roundtable - Key Takeaways
When founders think about fundraising, the conversation almost always starts in the same place, the visible elements of the process like pitch decks, valuations and telling the story. But as explored in the Invisible Fundraising Masterclass, hosted recently by Lothifa “Lux” Chowdhury and shaped by expert insights from Ayse Bouvet, Be Kaler Pilgrim and Jash Radia FCMA, what truly influences investor confidence sits beneath the surface.
The Art of Executive Search
The right leadership hire at the right time can make or break a high-growth company—thoughtful executive search bridges that gap.
Executive Hiring: Who’s Steering Your Future?
With the market stabilising, a key question emerges: do you have the right leader to drive growth and lead change?
The Pendulum: Is Creative and Brand Back in Demand?
After a year of cuts to creative and marketing teams, early signs for 2025 suggest companies are swinging back toward valuing design, storytelling, and brand.
Choosing Your Next Board, Signs of True Digital and AI Maturity
If you’re a tech leader considering your next board role or business opportunity, it’s natural to want to understand how digitally mature the organisation really is. Rather than getting caught up in buzzwords or checklists, it’s more valuable to explore how the board approaches technology and AI with curiosity and openness. Here are some thoughtful areas to reflect on when assessing your next move.
Market Insight and Launch Reflections
Launching Smithfield Search this week has been fun, exciting, scary BUT built on years of navigating the highs and lows of tech recruitment in the UK. Here’s a warm, honest look at why now feels like the right time for a new executive search boutique, and what we’re seeing in the market.
What Tech Leaders Are Really Saying
I spent the last week having a marathon of tea, calls, and the odd power-walk with CTOs, CPOs, and product brains from PE/VC-backed tech firms. I’ve attempted to bottle the energy and ideas. Here are some of the themes that have surfaced.
SMITHFIELD SMACKDOWN
Podcast
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S1 E12
May 18, 2026
Julie Kennedy: The Hidden Power of Design Leadership in Driving Business Success
Design Leader & Speaker
Julie Kennedy joins Be Kaler Pilgrim for a grounded, honest conversation on what it really means to lead in design today. Drawing on a career that spans from Yellow Pages to Amazon, Vodafone and PokerStars, Julie reflects on how design leadership has evolved from craft and creativity into something far more commercial, accountable and people-focused.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E11
May 5, 2026
Sian James-Royle: Leadership and Grace - Embracing Imperfection
Exited founder | Innovator | Business Leader & NED
In this episode of Smithfield Smackdown, Be Kaler Pilgrim speaks with Sian James-Royle about leadership, growth, and the reality of building and scaling businesses.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E10
March 31, 2026
Ayse Bouvet: Battling Job Hugging in Uncertain Markets (Part 2)
Chief People Officer | Executive Coach | Startup Mentor
Be Kaler Pilgrim hosts Ayse Bouvet, fractional CPO and executive coach, on the Smithfield Smackdown podcast for part two on job hugging: employees clinging to roles for stability amid market uncertainty. They explore its business impacts, building on their prior employee-focused episode.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E9
February 6, 2026
Ayse Bouvet: Battling Job Hugging in Uncertain Markets (Part 1)
Chief People Officer | Executive Coach | Startup Mentor
Job hugging, leadership drift and staying future ready. Be and Ayse Bouvet on growing leadership challenges in 2026 and why staying put in a tough market could be the biggest mistake.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E8
January 15, 2026
Jason Mesut: Fixing Misaligned Organisations and Design Leadership
Creative Coach | Strategist | Consultant | Community Connector
Jason shares his journey from digital design leadership into coaching, reflecting on what drew him toward helping others find clarity and confidence in their careers.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E7
January 8, 2026
Joe Macleod: Creativity, Leadership, and Meaningful Endings
Designer | Thought Leader | MD | Author
A thoughtful, funny, and grounded discussion that reminds us innovation is nothing without the people who make it happen and the leaders who make it meaningful.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E6
November 26, 2025
BIMA: Is This AI? - The Computer Says No
Be Kaler Pilgrim
Be Kaler Pilgrim from Smithfield Search joins Oliver Veysey and Lisa Talia on BIMA’s "Is This AI?" podcast to share a powerful, honest look at how AI is shaking up hiring, especially in creative fields.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E5
November 26, 2025
Sarah Vick: Leadership, Agency Life and Caring
Creative Leader & Advisor
Be catches up with Sarah Vick to dive into the realities of leadership, culture, hiring and innovation in today’s agency world.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E4
November 17, 2025
Dr Chantal Scaillet: Mental Health in Leadership
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Head of Psychology in a Mental Health Trust
Leadership, mental health, and taking care of yourself. We explored how leaders at all levels can foster resilience and promote mental well-being.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E3
November 12, 2025
Nicolas Roope: Design and Fractional Leadership
Digital Creative Pioneer
In this episode we talk leadership and innovation with Nicolas Roope. Join us for a trip down memory lane through his 30 year journey as an old-school digital creative pioneer.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E2
September 12, 2025
Navigating Leadership: Namrata Sarmah on Culture and Connection
Chief Product Officer and Community Leader
In this candid chat, Namrata Sarmah, Chief Product Officer and community leader, shares her journey from software engineer to CPO, navigating early leadership challenges and fast career growth.
READ THE SHOW NOTES
S1 E1
September 5, 2025
Leadership in Flux: Julian Hirst on Leadership
Builder | Strategist | Leader | Advisor
Our first episode features Julian Hirst, an experienced leader, sharing candid reflections on how leadership has transformed over recent years and what it takes to thrive in today’s fast-changing climate.
READ THE SHOW NOTES