About

Our founder, Paul Cook, is a seasoned executive search professional with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Paul has advised clients and candidates across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, and as an experienced leader and business owner himself, he truly understands the pressures that many clients face.

 

Paul's journey in executive search began when he, along with two other partners, built and latterly sold their executive search business to BNB Resources in 2007. Following the acquisition, he then went on to serve as Managing Director and Head of Financial Services at Norman Broadbent. In 2012, he founded a new executive search firm, Alderbrooke, which later expanded into people and behavioural analytics, eventually being deployed across more than 60 countries. This business was sold in 2017.

 

In addition, Paul co-founded TGCL, an international executive search and leadership advisory partnership across eight countries in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, which later consolidated with Panorama. 

 

Paul launched Heelside in 2019. Today, he works closely with families, investors, boards, and leadership teams, advising on people-related issues and recruiting exceptional talent.

 

Paul is also a co-founder and Chairman of Erase Meso, a charity dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for mesothelioma.