Andrew returned to Executive Search in 2007 after having fulfilled various senior roles in business, and was appointed Managing Director of Woodburn Mann (Pty) Limited in October 2010.
He has been involved with searches for the retail, mining, heavy industry, communications, FMCG, financial services and state enterprise sectors for both blue chip and entrepreneurial clients.
He began his career in executive search in 1995 in London working on international search projects across all functions and industries. Thereafter he returned to South Africa and worked for a Global brewing company in corporate strategy and marketing. His involvement in leading brands and new product development provided a platform to leverage his strategic insight and creative flair into the commercial arena. Andrew has experience working in a start-up team for the creation of a financial institution, and was involved in the founding a new banking organisation with a focus on micro-finance. His skills include marketing/strategy consulting, web design and online integration, performance management, software development, data analysis and reporting services.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Development Economics from Oxford University, UK, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand. In addition he holds a Social Studies graduate diploma certificate from Oxford University, UK.
Andrew is also an accomplished underwater photographer and all round adventurer having completed the Cape Epic Mountain biking race and earned the Underwaterphotograph.com World Champion Award in 2004.
Brian Spanier-Marson has over 5 years’ experience in Executive Search.
Having completed articles at Dix Boyes and Deloitte, Brian completed his national service at SARS (South African Revenue Services), during which time he completed his MBL degree. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Diploma in Accounting and a Master of Business Leadership. He is also a Chartered Accountant of South Africa.
Brian was offered a position as Managing Director at a clothing manufacturing business in Durban. Thereafter he completed an expatriate contract in Gaborone as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Botswana Power Corporation.
Returning to South Africa in 1995, Brian joined Alexander Forbes as Head of the Fund Accounting Area; he was later promoted to Head of Administration, Joint Managing Director of the Retirement Funds Division and later Operations Director of Financial Services where he served on the International Exco Board.
Whilst with Alexander Forbes Brian initiated two businesses - CashPlan (a micro lending division) and FIHRST Management Services (a payroll payments portal).
Brian left Alexander Forbes in 2002 and founded an employee benefits business called Crystal Retirement Benefits which, a few years later, attracted Hollard Life as a shareholder and investor. This business grew through acquisitions and organic growth and was eventually sold to Hollard in 2011. He later joined Woodburn Mann in 2013 as Senior Client Partner.
Carol Armstrong has over 24 years’ experience in Executive Search.
At Amrop Woodburn Mann she provides executive search advice to companies in Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Human Resources, Finance and General Management. She specialises in the fast moving consumer goods, retail markets, construction and engineering sectors.
She began her career as a Management Trainee in the retail banking industry and then worked in the short term insurance industry for a number of years.
She joined Woodburn Mann (Pty) Ltd in 1993 as a Research Consultant and quickly progressed to a Consultant. In 2008 she resigned from Woodburn Mann to relocate to Beijing, Peoples Republic of China where she lived for three and a half years before returning back to South Africa. In 2012 she returned to Woodburn Mann as a Senior Client Partner.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, and has a HDipPM (Higher Diploma in Personnel Management) both from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Cathy Dowsley has over 25 years’ experience in Executive Search
At Amrop Woodburn Mann she provides executive search advice to companies in the human resources, public relations and consultancy fields as well as the mining, construction and building materials industries. Many of her roles have been affirmative action appointments.
She began her career in 1981 as a Social Worker in a child and family welfare organisation. In 1984 she moved out of child welfare and into human resources where she joined a major mining house as a Personnel Officer. Cathy Dowsley joined Woodburn Mann Executive Search as a Research Consultant in January 1993 rapidly progressing to a Consultant.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work and was awarded the top student for the Institute of Personnel Management Diploma
Charlotte Barton has over 20 years’ experience in Executive Search.
After obtaining her Honours on Industrial Psychology, she joined a leading recruitment solutions provider in Johannesburg as a Recruitment Consultant.
She joined Woodburn Mann (Pty) Ltd in 1997 as Research Associate and progressed to Associate Principal. She holds a dual role, of undertaking research assignments and managing the internal knowledge and intellectual property for the company.
She has worked on a range of assignments across various industries and functions, including Marketing, Finance, Sales, Mining, Manufacturing, Human Resources and General Management.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Johannesburg and an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology from UNISA.
Verushka Singh has over 15 years’ experience in Recruitment. She began her career as an Internal Consultant for a specialist financial services recruitment agency.
She joined Woodburn Mann (Pty) Ltd in 2010 as Research Associate and progressed to Associate Principal. She has extensive experience in executive search across a variety of industries and has worked in different geographical areas both locally and internationally with a main focus in South Africa and the Sub-Saharan region.
She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences honours degree in Sociology, and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations from the University of Natal.