Selected as World’s Best Emerging Business Leader 2024, Natasha Makhijani is an example of the dynamic and enterprising next generation business leader who drives a global business with impeccable vision and work ethics.
Introduction – Natasha Makhijani is Group CEO of executive search firm Oliver Sanderson Group PLC. Under her leadership, Oliver Sanderson has built up a strong track record of c-suite appointments in the interim and permanent markets globally recruiting for the FTSE and the Fortune 500 while making waves with its own award-winning digital recruitment platform Snapp CV and a DEI charity. Combining experience and expertise with innovation and fresh thinking, Natasha and her team at Oliver Sanderson are leading the way in discovering the next generation of business leaders.
Being the ambitious individual that she is Natasha was offered the opportunity to work with Michael Page and Robert Walters. She started with Michael Page Human Resources in October 2006. In her first year, she was their top biller within HR. She set up their St Albans office and then moved to London to set up permanent recruitment for the Public Sector. She was promoted to Managing Consultant and contributed to the growth of the Public sector office billing over £1 million.
Natasha’s ambition took her a step further and she set up Oliver Sanderson Group. She currently recruits from Board level to middle management roles cross-sector.
One of Oliver Sanderson’s specialisms is in digital recruitment – they are pioneers of digital innovations in Executive Search and recruitment. Natasha co-founded Snapp CV, the world’s first voice-technology enabled mobile jobs platform with exclusive Amazon Alexa integration. If you ask your Amazon Alexa device to “Find me a job”, the search will be powered by Snapp CV. The platform recently featured on the Mayor of London’s TechInvest programme, an initiative delivered in alliance with the UK Business Angels Association to showcase London’s most ground-breaking tech start-up businesses.
WCRCLEADERS in conversation with Natasha Makhijani, Group CEO, Oliver Sanderson Group PLC
What makes a strong leader? What are your key leadership strengths are make the strongest attributes of success.
My leadership style focuses on empowering others to achieve success together. I am a kind, supportive, and energetic businesswoman, with a passion for watching people develop and achieve their objectives. Since founding Oliver Sanderson in 2011, I have nurtured several colleagues to build rewarding careers in the industry.
An accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career? What challenges did you face to reach to the success.
Oliver Sanderson was honoured to be invited to feature in the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album, in a section highlighting aligned organisations. The company was selected for its “transformational contribution” to the sphere of business, which stands as one of our proudest achievements. As a British Asian, my life has been shaped by the Royal Family, and I was particularly inspired by the Queen. Her values, global presence, exceptional work ethic, and unwavering commitment to service, even in the face of challenging circumstances, have always been influential. This recognition in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album serves as a testament to our brand and its impact in the business world. It highlights our dedication to driving positive change, fostering inclusivity, and making a meaningful difference within the recruitment industry. For our brand to appear in an official Jubilee album, published by St. James’s House – a major accolade for our team, and my proudest moment.
What makes it even more special is the challenges we’ve faced to get here. I started the company from my living room in 2011 – just me and my laptop – and ten years later we are an international firm working with FTSE 100, FTSE 350, and Fortune 500 companies, and winning prestigious awards! So the journey has been worthwhile and rewarding, however difficult it may have seemed at certain points.
What is a role of leader in these challenging times.
As the Group CEO of Oliver Sanderson, I prioritize:
– becoming a better mentor
– clear communication
– adaptability
– strategic decision-making
– resilience
What is your vision and how do you share that with your shareholders, employees and others?
Since our foundation in 2011, EDI has been at the heart of our work at Oliver Sanderson. Our mission is to lead the way in discovering and engaging with the next generation of diverse business leaders, while driving improvements in representation across a wide range of sectors. For our clients, we are committed to connecting mission-led businesses with diverse talent. For our company, we are committed to fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion – a place where everyone feels welcome and supported to fulfill their potential. To achieve our mission, we foster a collaborative approach that involves partnering with diverse organisations, communities, and networks. I continually share my path-breaking experiences as an Asian woman leader in this industry. In addition to our search processes, we launched the Black Leadership Advisory Council (B.L.A.C.), a charity dedicated to accelerating the development of emerging Black leaders, especially in senior HR roles. This initiative not only enhances our ability to identify diverse talent but also drives change at a systemic level.
We embrace technology as a means to make our processes more accessible and inclusive, reaching beyond traditional search methods and networks. Through our mobile job board Snapp, a pioneering voice-enabled platform partnered with Amazon Alexa, we break down barriers for individuals with different abilities and needs.
In summary, we seek to shape a future where leadership positions are accessible to all, regardless of background, and where diverse perspectives are valued and celebrated. Our mission is to create a lasting impact, driving improvements in representation and fostering an inclusive business landscape for generations to come.
How do you drive active business renovations and how does that impact your subordinates?
As the CEO of Oliver Sanderson, I drive active business renovations with a focus on positively impacting my subordinates. I start by sharing a clear vision and maintaining transparent communication, reducing uncertainty. Empowering my team through involvement in decision-making and providing training and support ensures a smoother transition. Recognizing and rewarding their efforts boosts morale, while a feedback loop allows continuous improvement. These actions result in improved efficiency, better work environments, and increased job satisfaction among my team. Ultimately, they play a crucial role in the success of our business renovations, fostering a stronger, more resilient organization.
How do you integrate corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility as a part of your business strategies?
Incorporating corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility (CSR) into our business strategies at Oliver Sanderson is integral to our core values. We make our biggest impact in D&I. We are champions of diversity and inclusion in recruitment and across the wider business world, and we have made a real difference through our placements, our new charity, our advocacy, our consultancy projects, and a wide range of speaking engagements, panel discussions, and awards programmes. The core of our business is recruitment, and we are in a unique position to help our clients become more diverse and inclusive. We have made high profile appointments of ethnically diverse candidates, including Black HR Director Pam Wright at Engie, Black HR Director Cheryl Carr at Foxton’s, Black MD Marian Fagbemiro at Gate Gourmet, and Indian Operations Director Kalwant Singh at Yodel.
What has been your driving force or philosophy in life?
My life inspiration has been to make a positive impact on the world, and I am inspired by other women who have led by example. Kamala Harris is an ideal role model for young women, and we share something in common in terms of our Indian roots. As the United States’ first female vice president, the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, and the first African American and the first Asian American vice president, she is the epitome of a trailblazer. Kamala’s rise highlights the fact that things are changing and we are making progress, but there is much more to be done, especially in the D&I space, and we can make a positive contribution at Oliver Sanderson.
How do you plan to drive your business at a global level?
Looking longer term we have an ambitious road map for the next five years. We are expanding Oliver Sanderson’s Europe and U. S. operations and moving into India. As we expand our international reach, our scope for making positive change increases.
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
To me, success is about making a difference to people’s lives. We have a unique opportunity to make a difference as recruiters. By finding great people to take on important positions in the business world, our work has a ripple effect on wider society. Eventually, our appointments make waves in their new roles, and often end up assigning us to new searches, where the process starts again. I’ve always wanted to share my successes – it multiplies the rewards! – so I’m grateful for the chance to lead a team, work across wide networks, and give something back through our charity.
In your opinion what is the most significant aspect of leadership?
In my opinion, one of the most significant aspects of leadership is effective communication. Effective communication is the cornerstone of leadership because it enables a leader to inspire and motivate, build trust, provide guidance, resolve conflicts, adapt to change, and listen actively. Because leadership isn’t just about talking; it’s also about listening. Leaders who actively listen to their team members can gather valuable insights, build an inclusive culture, and make better decisions.
Your perception of an empowered society. How far your industry has/can contribute for the same?
An empowered society is one where individuals have equal opportunities and access to resources, enabling them to make informed choices and contribute to their communities. The executive search and recruitment industry can contribute by promoting equal opportunity, supporting skills development and education, fostering diversity and inclusion, offering career guidance, and engaging in social responsibility initiatives. These actions help individuals pursue fulfilling careers and play active roles in their communities, contributing to a more empowered and equitable society.
