Functions
Big 5 Search exists to find and attract the best functional leaders from a global and competitive talent pool for our Emerging Markets clients. It is not enough for us to secure specific expertise; we work closely with our clients to ensure that candidates have the right mindset, cultural fit and the adaptability necessary to succeed in their roles for the long term.
Governance
- Chair, NEDs & IC members – Greenfield SME credit fund Ghana
- Chair & NED – Offgrid energy / Consumer Finance Francophone Africa
Commercial
- Chief Commercial Officer – Clean tech East Africa
- Chief Commercial Officer – Downstream Fuels South Africa
Leadership
- Chief Executive Officer – Social Infrastructure Developer Egypt
- Chief Executive Officer – Mid & Downstream Fuel South Africa
Investment
- Partner – Pan-African Private Equity Fund Tunisia
- Africa Managing Director – Pan-African Forestry Fund Kenya
Finance
- Chief Financial Officer – Pan-African Fintech lending Kenya
- Chief Financial Officer – Agri production & distribution Egypt
People
- Global HR Director – Emerging Markets clean tech Kenya
- Africa HR Director – Fast Moving Consumer Goods Cote d’Ivoire
Technical
- Chief Technology Officer – Fintech payments Nigeria
- Project Director – Natural Gas to Power IPP Rwanda
Stakeholder
- Head of Africa – Development Finance Institution UK
- Managing Director Africa – Conservation Foundation Kenya
Countries in which the Big 5 team has placed candidates
Our Team
James Adair
Partner
James previously worked in commercial shipping as a chartering broker with HSBC and subsequently covering the OSV market in Africa with a specialist brokerage. He lived in Ghana when working as a GM for a shipping agency and later represented local owners in setting up a successful JV with Swire.
Following this he moved into Executive Search, working as a Consultant for an Africa focused boutique. During this time, he completed numerous C-level assignments with success in representing both operating companies and private equity firms.
William McCaw
Partner
William began his career in search and, before joining Big 5 Search, headed the Private Equity teams at two leading international boutique search firms in London, Hong Kong and New York. He specialises in Emerging Markets Executive Search in Alternative Investments and represents clients in VC, Growth, Private Equity, Credit, Family Office, Impact Investing, Energy/ Infrastructure and Real Assets.
Will has completed multiple assignments from Partner to Associate level across North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and Asia, providing confidential advice on team composition, compensation, and competitor analysis.
Tim Harrison
Consultant
Tim has over 15 years of recruitment experience, with the last decade solely focused on executive and senior management positions in Africa. Tim has executed searches in a variety of sectors including Banking, FMCG, Microfinance, Agribusiness, Fintech, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, and DFIs.
With a particular interest in the Financial Services sector, Tim has completed searches to for both multinationals and local businesses in key functions including Risk and Compliance, HR, IT Directors, and General Management.
Eleanor Khupe
Consultant
Having studied for a BS in Human Bioscience (majoring in Psychology) at the University of Cape Town, Eleanor went on to work for several leading executive search firms covering the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Eleanor has a strong track record in Financial Services having run C-level mandates in Asset Management, Banking and Insurance. With Big 5 Search she is based between Zimbabwe and Botswana, retaining her focus on companies operating in the SADC region.