Meet Our Team
Cathy Alford
Managing Director – Searchlight
Cathy is the Managing Director of Searchlight Group Ltd.
Under her leadership, Searchlight has become one of the leading providers of recruitment and executive search services to the media and entertainment industries.
She has significant experience of working closely clients to help shape their requirements, and is an expert at handling complex, senior-level searches right across our specialist sectors.
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.
Email:[email protected]
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.
Email:[email protected]
Arnaud Doggett
Senior Account Director – Technology
Arnaud leads our Tech & Engineering recruitment practice and offers 15+ years of industry experience and unrivalled contacts.
He has found technical, commercial, and managerial talent on behalf of technology vendors, broadcasters and systems integrators in EMEA, APAC, LATAM and North America.
Arnaud joined Searchlight after successfully launching and running BroadcastJobs.com, now part of the Searchlight Group. He has previously held directorships at recruitment businesses and software companies.
Email: [email protected]
Georgia Williams
Account Manager
Joining us in early 2022 as a Researcher, Georgia swiftly transitioned into an Account Manager role, amplifying her expertise within the media and entertainment industry. Her insights have proven indispensable to the Searchlight team, playing a pivotal role in both cultivating new client relationships and fortifying existing partnerships with our clients.
Georgia manages a diverse portfolio of roles, spanning creative services to account management. She specialises in advertising, post-production, gaming, and corporate production, consistently delivering strategic solutions that drive success in these sectors.
Email: [email protected]
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.
Email: [email protected]
Seth Cohen
Researcher
Seth joined Searchlight in 2022 to bolster our client account management efforts. His research skills have proven invaluable, offering critical insights and support across our commercial and corporate operations.
Seth works closely with Amy, our Deputy Managing Director, focusing on major clients in distribution, production, broadcast, and arts sectors. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role in company mapping and administrative functions, providing essential support to our consulting team.
Email: [email protected]
Tom Murphy
Group Marketing Manager
Tom oversees our social channels, events, and community outreach, consistently providing both candidates and clients with engaging and relevant content, industry updates, and more. He holds a degree in Marketing from the University of Plymouth and has extensive experience in the recruitment and technology sectors, with a strong background in media and entertainment. Tom’s diverse expertise ensures that our communications are not only informative but also compelling and impactful.
Email: [email protected]
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.
Email:[email protected]
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.
Email: [email protected]
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
Email: [email protected]
