WHO WE ARE

We provide recruitment & executive search services exclusively to the creative, media & entertainment sectors.

From emerging platforms to legacy brands, live experiences to digital content, from film and television to gaming and sports.

Our team spans the full spectrum of industry expertise, covering commercial, creative, operational, technical, financial, and legal disciplines.

Every search is shaped by our commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging delivered with a personal touch that reflects the unique needs of every brief.

Meet the Team

Cathy Alford

Managing Director

Cathy Alford

Managing Director

Under her leadership, Searchlight has become one of the leading providers of recruitment and executive search services.

Cathy joined Searchlight from the BBC where she managed large, multiple-site teams of creative, operational and commercial staff & a significant P&L. In this key role she was instrumental in transforming the company into a commercial, outward-facing, client-focussed business.

Amy Osterley

Deputy Managing Director

Amy Osterley

Deputy Managing Director

Amy brings a wealth of leadership experience to her integral role overseeing daily operations and nurturing our talented team’s growth. She spearheads our corporate and social responsibility endeavours, forging enduring partnerships with prestigious institutions including the Royal Television Society, BAFTA, the Media Trust, the Prince’s Trust, and the National Film & Television School.

Amy has built an impressive track record in recruitment and executive search within the media and entertainment landscape. Her expertise lies in commercial and corporate roles across all sectors at Searchlight, with a distinct focus on production, distribution, and the arts.

Rosie Owen

Account Executive

Rosie Owen

Account Executive

Rosie manages our Creative, Brand and Advertising recruitment desk and offers over 10 years’ experience in the film, TV and advertising industry.

Before joining Searchlight, Rosie spent more than a decade working as an Assistant Director on feature and commercial productions, leading large crews and managing complex, fast-paced environments. She has worked with all of the leading production companies, agencies and broadcasters including Hogarth, ITV Creative, Prodigious, Saatchi & Saatchi and Havas.

Rosie brings a deep understanding of how creative teams operate, from sourcing and structuring crews to managing personalities, timelines and client expectations. She now specialises in placing creative, brand and production talent, helping companies build strong, well-balanced teams and supporting candidates through key career moves.

Naren Chapaneri

Executive Researcher

Naren Chapaneri

Executive Researcher

Naren is an accomplished executive researcher. Leveraging his extensive research experience, Naren provides vital support to our MD, Cathy, excelling in executive search mapping for senior positions with globally recognised clients. He works closely with clients and candidates to define their needs, skilfully managing complex, senior-level searches across specialised sectors. Naren’s prowess and collaborative approach ensure exceptional results for our most demanding executive search projects.

Candace Francis-Dwyer

Marketing Executive

Candace Francis-Dwyer

Marketing Executive

Candace shapes and implements our marketing strategies, while overseeing our social media channels and working closely with our directors to ensure cohesive and effective communication across all platforms.

Having graduated from Brunel University in 2024 with a degree in English, Candace is leveraging her skills to drive innovative marketing initiatives and support our team in achieving its strategic goals.

Melanie Hill

Senior Administrator

Melanie Hill

Senior Administrator

Melanie joined Searchlight as Office Manager in 2001, moving on from a financial role at the BBC. Initially with a broad range of duties from administration, finance and research, she left to have twins, returning in 2010 to support the consultants with research and resourcing.

Hayley Henry

Group Finance Director

Hayley Henry

Group Finance Director

Hayley is a Chartered Tax Adviser and Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant. With over 18 years experience in both practice and industry, Hayley is an exceptional accountant who oversees and directs the company’s financial operations.

Prior to working in Searchlight, Hayley has worked as an accountant in many different industries including, property, finance, retail, events and marketing. She has also worked at some of the UK’s top musicians & stars.

Anne Fenton

Senior Advisor

Anne Fenton

Senior Advisor

Anne has worked in Executive Search in the Media Sector for over 25 years. Founder and former MD of Lumina Search, and prior to that Joint MD of Searchlight Executive, she has worked on C level and Senior Appointments with a wide range of clients, from small start-ups to large multinational corporations.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, she is also a qualified tester for Level B psychometric testing.

Dan Grant

Financial Controller

Dan Grant

Financial Controller

Dan joined the Searchlight team as our Financial Controller in late 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his tenure with the Searchlight Group since 2016. Over the years, Dan has demonstrated remarkable growth in his role, consistently enhancing his proficiency in financial management. His extensive knowledge has been indispensable to both our team and our clients, solidifying his reputation as a key asset to the organisation

DIVERSITY

We recognise that diversity enriches our thinking, broadens our perspectives and strengthens our relationships with the clients and candidates we support.


Our commitment is anchored in five key pillars:

Client Collaboration

Client Collaboration

We work with clients who share our values, offering guidance on inclusive hiring and supporting efforts to build diverse teams.

Accountability

Accountability

Our leadership team champions our values and keeps us on track reviewing, updating, and reporting on our progress so we stay accountable.

Candidate Attraction & Shortlisting

Candidate Attraction & Shortlisting

We actively widen our reach to underrepresented groups by:

  • Dedicating 20% of our ad spend to minority-focused job boards.
  • Partnering with diversity networks
  • Writing inclusive job ads that avoid bias in language or tone

We aim to hit clear diversity targets in our shortlists:

  • Gender: 50%
  • Ethnic Minorities: 40%
  • Disability: 10%
  • LGBTQI+: 20%

Our shortlisting process follows strict fair selection guidelines, with regular training to challenge bias.We support blind CVs and offer psychometric testing to help assess candidates objectively.

Accessibility

Accessibility

We make sure our online and offline space are accessible to people with disabilities or those who are neurodivergent, and we tailor support to meet individual needs.

Training

Training

We provide continuous training for our team so every consultant understands inclusive hiring practices, recognises unconscious bias and actively promotes fair, equitable opportunities.

Resources & Insights

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3
min Read
Community

International Women’s Day 2025

Celebrating International Women’s Day at Searchlight, with reflections from our team on inspiration, career barriers, and advice for young women.

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1
min Read
Events
Community

Searchlight & Versa Manchester

Searchlight and VERSA Studios hosted a Manchester event promoting Northern production, featuring RED’s Mags Conway, an expert panel, and a studio tour.

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3
min Read
Events
Community

Searchlight At Rts Futures!

Searchlight partnered with an RTS Futures panel to share CV and application advice for early-career talent, with insights from TV and hiring leaders.

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3
min Read
Events
Community

Bafta Guru Live Round-Up

A recap of Searchlight’s BAFTA Guru Live session in London—freelancing advice from Sara Putt, a lively Q&A, plus CV surgery and showreel reviews.

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2
min Read
Events
Community

Media Trust: Creativity Works At Searchlight

Searchlight hosted Media Trust trainees at WeWork Aldwych House, sharing CV and cover letter tips plus a workshop on breaking into media careers.

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1
min Read
Events
Community

Searchlight At Bafta Guru Live

Searchlight supports BAFTA Guru Live in London and Glasgow, sponsoring “How to Freelance” and offering CV clinics plus showreel advice.

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4
min Read
Community
Film & Television

Must-See Films And Tv Shows For Black History Month

A Black History Month watchlist of standout films and series celebrating Black stories, culture, and representation across drama, comedy, animation, and horror.

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4
min Read
Community

Georgia’s Essential Watching For Pride Month

A Pride Month watchlist featuring essential LGBTQ+ films and series, celebrating queer history, authentic representation, and landmark stories across cinema and TV.

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4
min Read
Community

How To Hire With Diversity And Inclusion In Mind

A step-by-step guide to diversity recruiting: measure current representation, use inclusive job ads, train hiring teams, hire for culture add, align employer branding, and support retention.

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4
min Read
Community

How To Hire With Diversity & Inclusion In Mind

A practical guide to inclusive hiring: write unbiased job specs, widen candidate sourcing, shortlist fairly, and run accessible, structured interviews to reduce bias.

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2
min Read
Community

Pride: The Power Of Representation

Pride: The Power of Representation - Find out more about Searchlight and how we can help you with your recruitment needs.

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2
min Read
Community

25 Years Of Searchlight.

Searchlight turns 25: a Paris celebration and reflections from founders and long-standing team members on the moments that shaped the journey

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