John Purkiss

John has 25 years’ experience in executive search. He was a Partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ London office, and has recruited senior executives and board members for businesses ranging from start-ups to large public companies – in both Europe and North America. Clients value his integrity, transparency, creativity, strategic approach, and clear communication. This has led to very successful outcomes for both clients and investors.

John studied economics at Cambridge University and began his career with The First National Bank of Chicago, where he completed the graduate training programme and worked in the investment-banking subsidiary. Following his MBA at INSEAD, he worked for Mercury Asset Management and OC&C Strategy Consultants. John then co-founded a software company and worked in sales & marketing, in the UK and Continental Europe. (He speaks French, German and Spanish.)

John is the author of The Power of Letting Go, published by Octopus Books (Hachette). He is a co-founder of Enlighten Ventures.