Legal Financial Services
We partner with a broad range of clients, including a variety of leading financial institutions to solve their legal talent requirements. Our coverage spans the UK, US, Europe, and Asia, where we have access to an extensive international network of senior talent.
We specialise in senior-level appointments, from General Counsel, Head of Legal and senior lawyers in financial services. We have an unrivalled network of legal financial services contacts and work with some of the most prestigious financial services firms internationally. We cover all legal practice areas and have a particularly strong track record within investment funds, private equity, derivatives, and regulation.
Seniority Levels:
General Counsel
Managing Director
Head of Legal
Director/Senior Director/Executive Director
VP/SVP
Senior Legal Counsel
Legal Counsel
Partner
Counsel
Senior Associate
Contact Us
Matthew Simmons
Managing Director
Rob Whiteford
Director, Legal
Matthew Simmons
Managing Director
Matthew founded Simmons & Hanbury in 2018. He has advised on executive search and legal consultancy services for many global listed corporations over the last two decades. Prior to establishing Simmons & Hanbury, Matthew held various senior leadership positions, including head of legal practice and head of legal consulting practice at other global search firms. Over the course of his career he has developed an extensive network of cross-border candidates and clients within financial services.
Matthew has in-depth expertise within the financial services sector and has successfully completed search assignments for some of the most prestigious financial services firms in the world. This includes banks, investment funds, private equity houses and leading law firms. In addition, he has completed numerous assignments for corporations across a range of industries. He also leads several high-profile general counsel networking events.
Before moving into executive search, Matthew obtained a Master’s degree in Business Management & Marketing at the University of Westminster.
M | +44 7771 962 691
Market Insights
The Aspiring Solicitors Foundation: Removing Financial Barriers to the Legal Profession Evolution of the General Counsel role in 2021 and beyond A legal overview of the Private Equity marketPractice Areas
Legal Financial Services Legal Private Practice Legal Interim Solutions Corporate GovernanceLocation
Head Office
Rob Whiteford
Director, Legal
Rob is a Director in the In-house legal team at Simmons & Hanbury, focusing on the Financial Services sector, including Insurance, Private Equity, Asset Management, and Banking. He has an impressive track record, placing General Counsel, Heads of Legal, and supporting large scale team build-outs. He has worked with many early stage financial services businesses as they look to build their legal function, as well as established UK and US-listed firms.
Prior to joining Simmons & Hanbury, Rob spent nearly seven years at a Private Equity backed search firm where he led their in-house legal practice. During this time, Rob built a specific niche within the insurance sector where he supported a range of commercial and personal lines insurers, as well as brokers. Rob has also partnered with numerous investment banks, FinTech’s and private capital firms during his career.
Rob started his career at a leading FTSE-listed recruitment firm in 2016. He holds a degree in Politics & International Relations from the University of Bath.