Corporate Governance
We partner with a wide range of clients, including financial institutions and multinational corporations to manage their corporate governance recruitment requirements. With deep insight into the intricacies of the Company Secretarial profession and the nuances of governance within both Legal and Secretariat functions, we are uniquely positioned to advise and deliver at every level.
Our clients span domestic and internationally listed companies, private companies, private equity backed portfolio companies and financial services businesses. These clients benefit from our extensive network and highly specialised expertise. Our candidates equally benefit from access to a diverse range of opportunities and personalised guidance shaped around their experience, ambitions, and long‑term career goals.
Seniority Levels:
Group Company Secretary
Deputy Company Secretary
Senior / Assistant Company Secretary
Senior / Company Secretarial Assistant
Contact Us
Matthew Simmons
Managing Director
Jonathan Cartwright
Partner, Legal
Phoebe Watson
Associate Director, Company Secretarial
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 market
Jonathan Cartwright
Partner, Legal
Jonathan joined Simmons & Hanbury in 2021 to lead and grow the commerce and industry practice. He has specialised within in-house legal search for several years, completing numerous retained search assignments for global multinationals, SMEs and UK based businesses. He works with some of the most well-known and recognised brands in the world. Jonathan has also successfully worked with law firms and consultancies in relevant areas such as IP, Technology and Data Protection.
Jonathan is adept at assisting private equity portfolio companies with the placement of their first In-house Counsel, as well as functional Heads of Legal and General Counsel appointments. Jonathan leads General Counsel networking events, partnering with top tier law firms to deliver industry leading content for a variety of in-house legal disciplines.
Prior to joining Simmons & Hanbury Jonathan was Head of Commerce & Industry for a leading governance search firm and studied English at the University of Birmingham.
M | +44 7787 423 366
Practice Areas
Legal Commerce & Industry Legal Private Practice Legal Interim Solutions Corporate GovernanceLocation
Head Office
Phoebe Watson
Associate Director, Company Secretarial
Phoebe is an Associate Director leading Company Secretarial and Governance recruitment at Simmons & Hanbury, with expertise across the full breadth of the market. She has a track record spanning successful placements at every level, from Trainee through to Group Company Secretaries. Over her career, Phoebe has become a recognised partner to the Company Secretarial market, valued by both clients and candidates for her expertise, honesty, and high-quality service. She has led on a wide range of mandates, from supporting early‑stage secretariats building out their Governance functions to partnering with large, established FTSE10 teams on senior and strategic hires.
Prior to joining Simmons & Hanbury, Phoebe spent nearly seven years at a FTSE‑listed recruitment firm, where she managed the Company Secretarial Recruitment team. During this time, she built a specialist niche within the Company Secretarial market and actively contributed to the wider community through events, networking, and the sharing of market insights.