Martin is the founder of Armstrong International, and has spearheaded the expansion of the privately held search business. With unrivalled industry knowledge, Martin was keen to launch a consultancy specialising in financial services that could adapt to the changing dynamics of the City. His first client was SG Warburg, and he has retained this relationship throughout the merchant bank’s transformation into today’s powerhouse UBS.
Martin is now recognised as among the best-connected specialists in the financial services industry with an unequalled contacts book. He has placed former prime ministers and chief executives, and works as an adviser on personal career matters to many leading businessmen.
An entrepreneur, he has launched or backed seven further businesses specialising in human capital. These include Somerton Partners, Europe’s first advisory business that manages the careers of chief executives of large multinational companies; Armstrong Bonham Carter, which specialises in corporate governance and the careers of non-executive directors.
MATTHEW OSBORNE - Managing Partner -
Matt has been with Armstrong International since 2001, and is currently managing partner with day-to-day responsibility for the fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC) practice.
Matt joined as a researcher, assisting other consultants in their searches. His meticulous attention to detail and extensive contacts network has established Armstrong International’s FICC practice as among the strongest in the City. Matt concentrates on the four key business areas of rates, foreign exchange, credit and commodities. He has conducted numerous senior level assignments across these products, spanning both buy-side (including many leading hedge funds) and sell-side clients. He has been responsible for some of the highest profile industry moves within the sector.
Matt has an unrivalled reputation as a search consultant within the FICC sector. He has conducted assignments in London, New York and Asia.
NICK HARPER - Partner -
Nick has been with Armstrong International since 2002, and is partner in charge of the equities practice.
After a short career in retail financial services recruitment, Nick joined Armstrong International as a researcher in fixed income, equities and asset management. Since specialising in equities, Nick has completed numerous assignments across a broad spectrum of products and functions, across cash equities, equity derivatives and prime broking, from vice president to chief executive. He has also been involved in the development of new strategic business areas including research and sales platforms for new entrants to the market.
Nick is known for the strategic insight he offers clients, who range from start up boutiques to new growth businesses and long established financial services firms. Though primarily focused on EMEA, Nick has also originated and executed searches in Asia and North America.
WILLIAM de QUETTEVILLE - Partner -
Will joined Armstrong International in 2009, and is partner in charge of the investment banking and private equity practice.
Having begun his career at UBS, where he worked in convertible bonds and warrants, Will moved into executive search in 1998. He has since developed an enviable track record across both buy-side and sell-side clients, executing global and leadership roles across the full spectrum of products and sectors.
At Armstrong International, Will is charged with managing the long-established investment banking practice, working across all major industry verticals, geographies and related products. He is also actively involved in global searches for the private equity industry, and has built investment teams in both infrastructure and renewable energy.
DINAH CENCIG - Partner -
Dinah has been with Armstrong International since 2003, and is currently partner with the day-to-day responsibility of Global Credit and German speaking Europe.
Dinah joined as a researcher, after a short stint in media research. She gained search experience across the fixed income and equities markets as well as investment banking, before specializing in credit trading and structuring. Her product expertise includes flow and structured credit, financing, longevity and securitisation. Dinah also runs fixed income sales across German speaking Europe with an unprecedented network amongst London and Frankfurt based clients and candidates. Her long standing relationships include hedge funds, boutique and investment banks. She has closed senior level assignments in Europe, New York and Asia.
Dinah is an Austrian national, fluent in French and Italian, with German being her first language. Before joining Armstrong International she graduated with a MSc in Economic and Social History from Cambridge University and a BA in Modern European Studies from University College London.
JERRY HARRIS - Chief Operating Officer -
Jerry joined Armstrong International in 2010 and is responsible for the day to day operations of the business and all the business support areas including finance, IT, HR, property and all legal and contractual areas.
Jerry is an FCA who qualified with KPMG and worked for them for ten years in Europe and Australia. Since leaving KPMG, Jerry has had over twenty years of experience within the recruitment industry as a senior executive, including roles as CFO of the UKs largest recruitment company at the time and Managing Director of another of the UKs premier recruitment brands. Whist Jerry was in charge of the latter, this business was voted supplier of the year by one of the UKs most respected banks.
Jerry also has experience in the legal services sector, outsourcing, acquisitions and disposals, private equity and in particular forming strategies for development and growth within the recruitment sector. His role at Armstrong is to provide the platform for the business to grow and to provide the highest quality service to candidates and clients.
