About Us

Our team leverages a global network, in the Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance and Real Estate Finance

Decades of experience, our expert team has curated a unique and extensive network.

Essential to our approach is a comprehensive understanding of our candidates, clients, and their companies. We build meaningful partnerships by delivering a personalised service, enabling us to source the best talent discreetly and quickly.

We act as the gatekeepers to the market for our clients, keeping them focussed on their own business and ensuring a stress-free process when hiring place first-class talent.

With a combined 40 years of experience, our expert team has curated a unique and extensive network.

Essential to our approach is a comprehensive understanding of our candidates, clients, and their companies. We build meaningful partnerships by delivering a personalised service, enabling us to source the best talent discretely and quickly.

We act as the gatekeepers to the market for our clients, keeping them focussed on their own business and ensuring a stress-free process when hiring place first-class talent.

From friendship, to partnership, and leadership.

Ciaran and Steve were old friends and colleagues, but a twist of fate brought them together and established Buckden Partners.

With Steve hailing from Buckden, Cambridgeshire, and Ciaran having a family connection to the area, the pair were already linked before working together at FPSG and then moving on with their respective careers. 

It wasn’t until 2016, when Ciaran’s midwife mother delivered Steve’s son, that the two reconnected and started discussing a business venture together. 

Early on, they committed themselves to clients and candidates for whom they could make a difference. They work with specific clients to quality-assure the support and service they provide.

Today, some of those client relationships have spanned nearly a decade. Their ecosystem grows daily by keeping in touch with candidates who know and trust them and thus provides an ever-growing list of high-quality talent for their clients.

As Buckden Partners grows, so does its dedication to leading a team of expert headhunters, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to uphold and drive the values deeply rooted in the business.

Our Values

Transparent
We act with uncompromising honesty and integrity in everything we do.
Collaborative

We achieve more when we collaborate and work together.

Reliable

We build trust through consistency and first-class results.

Equitable

We celebrate diversity and respect our social and physical environment around the world.

Whether you’re looking for your next career move or looking to build a team with exceptional talent, give us a call for a consultative and confidential chat about how we can help.

Speak to our team today.

Ciaran Bullock

Partner

I run the Corporate Finance side of the business. Before founding Buckden Partners in 2016, I headhunted for Engage PSG for 12 years. I started as a researcher in the Banking team before becoming a consultant, then becoming Equity Director running the division.

With over 18 years of experience, I bring a wealth of functional skills and sector knowledge.

Outside work, I spend 90% of my time with the kids, making dens in the garden and having water fights. When I have a bit of liberty, I enjoy watching Liverpool, playing football, running, watching live music, and bingeing on Netflix.

Steve Sergeant

Partner

I head up the Real Estate Finance business and manage the operations side of Buckden Partners.

I started my career in banking at Flemings Private Bank and later Clydesdale Bank. I moved into recruitment in 2006 and started with Hays Banking, eventually managing the business commercial and corporate teams across the UK. I then moved on to some smaller agencies, managing Banking and Legal teams.

I am passionate about real estate and the real estate finance market. I enjoy the consultative approach to working with clients and candidates through their career journeys. I have worked a variety of roles from analyst to MD, CFO, and COO, across Banks, PE Firms, Debt Funds, and Advisory businesses, which has widened my network over the years.

I live with Sarah, Parker, Preston, and Willow. The kids have better social lives than I do! Sarah and I love to travel, so we’re constantly looking for the next break, with or without the kids!

Jane Hammond

Director

I started working in recruitment, both agency and internal, 25 years ago. For the last 15 years, I have focused on Financial Services, primarily working with Commercial and Corporate Banks recruiting mid-senior level hires.

I live with my son and enjoy doing exercise classes and listening to R&B and soul music. I also enjoy the odd G&T with friends and always have a great book to hand.

Sean Payne

Director
Recruitment professional with 25 years experience in front office executive search in Fixed Income, FX and Risk Advisory & ALM. Prior to Buckden Partners worked at a leading Real Estate Search boutique focusing on senior-level searches across Real Estate Debt & Equity for Banking / Asset Management clients including Sovereign Wealth Funds. Experience & track record within Portfolio Management, Origination, Underwriting, Investment Management & Debt Advisory for Real Estate at the Mid- to Senior level for Clients in the UK & Europe.

Outside of work, I enjoy time with my wife and two daughters, cycling and long dog walks with our energetic springer spaniel and we often visit friends and family on the Dorset Coast.

Sarah Thompson

Associate director

I have developed broad experience head-hunting talent across various industries over 20 + years, both in the UK and overseas. 

The reason I joined Buckden Partners is because of their reputation in the Banking and Financial Services sector’s and the chance use my creative nature to find top talent.  The variety of roles is challenging, enjoyable and certainly keeping me on my toes, just want I like.

Outside of work, my life revolves around my energetic 9-year-old son.  There’s never a dull moment when he’s around.  When I get time to relax, there’s nothing better than catching up with friends with a glass of bubbles in hand.

Jack Tolley

Senior Consultant

I started my recruitment career in 2018 having graduate from university. Since then, I have been covering positions from Analyst to Managing Director and everything in between. I have successfully worked on global projects on both a retained and contingent basis, including complex and confidential mandates.

Outside of work, I live with my wife, AJ and our Pug, Peggy. In my spare time I am generally spending time with friends and family, dog walking with the occasional pub lunch. My personal interests are going to the gym, rowing and playing badminton.

Shelby Latham

Associate
I manage operations, finance and ESG at Buckden Partners in the daily management of the business. Previously, I worked as an Operations Manager, where I developed skills in organisation, communication, and time management. I bring to the role a positive attitude and the ability to take the initiative.

When I am not working I like to go out to eat, go shopping and spend time with my family and friends.

Fiona Kelsall

Research Consultant

I have worked in the recruitment industry as a researcher for over 30 years and the majority of that time has been within the financial services sector. I enjoy working on the wide variety of roles at Buckden Partners, including those at C-Suite level.

Outside work, I live with my husband and enjoy walking our dog around the Peak District. I also enjoy cycling and have just completed a cycling trip around the Pyrenees.