Fiona Desmond, Partner
My early career was spent in retail management with Marks and Spencer where the highlight was project managing their first store launch in Madrid which was opened by the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. I then moved to Somerfield before embarking on a career in recruitment. I started out as a trainee for a recruitment business in London under the stewardship of James Caan before joining an international recruitment and advertising business recruiting within the vertical markets of retail, travel and leisure. I then moved to an international brand leading recruitment business in the finance sector, moving onto Martin Ward Anderson (a Randstad Company) two years later, where I progressed from Manager to Executive Director. I am now a Partner at Oakleaf Partnership responsible for Industry & Commerce and Professional Services teams.
In my spare time I enjoy watching all sports and I am a very keen supporter of Chelsea Football Club, who I have loyally followed since I was a little girl. I have recently returned from the World Cup in South Africa where I supported Holland all the way to the final after England's early exit! I enjoy doing work for charity and have undertaken a 300 foot abseil raising £1000 for Guys and St Thomas' Hospital. I also sponsor 30 children in The Gambia and visit them every year and do my utmost to remember all their birthdays!