Jo Sellwood-Taylor

Jo Sellwood-Taylor has more than 20 years’ experience in executive search. She has recruited nationally and internationally at senior executive and board levels across all functional areas.

Throughout her extensive career, Jo has successfully provided in depth expertise and insight in appointing senior and board level HR leaders together with non-executive directors for clients who include Belron/AutoGlass, Burberry, Dyson, Experian, Cisco, Kellogg’s, Institute of Directors, Domino’s , Lloyds Banking Group, Nichols Group plc, Toronto Dominion Bank Group, BAE Systems, Liberty Global, Co-operative Group, Virgin, 3G, General Electric, Euromoney, AstraZeneca, Rolls-Royce, Royal Mail, Community Integrated Care, British Airways, eBay and Dixons Carphone.

Before co-founding Strategi Executive Search in 2000, Jo held board positions with recruitment solutions company TMP Hudson Global Resources, HW Group and recruitment consultancy the Daniels Bates Partnership.

At age 30, she became an MD with both divisional and geographic responsibility, reporting to a European chief executive. In this role, Jo had board level involvement with the takeover of HW Group Plc by TMP and subsequent merger activity with acquisitions.

Viewed as a thought leader within the HR arena, Jo has an extensive senior/board level network in the UK and internationally. She has provided subject matter expertise and articles for publications such as Harvard Business Review, The Times, The Sunday Times, the Mail on Sunday, The Daily Telegraph, Executive Grapevine, Insider, Real Business and is a regular contributor for articles published by the Criticaleye Global Community. She was nominated for Business Woman of the Year 2008 and is a regular speaker at board level events.

Jo sold Strategi to Advantage Professional and retained her position as Managing Director post sales for three years and decided to exit the organisation in April 2011.

Along with Co-Founding Director Sharon Mullen, Jo has been undertaking an in-depth research initiative in conjunction with Dr Anthony Hesketh of Lancaster University Management School – ‘Building a Non-Executive Director Talent Pool for Inclusive Capitalism – Do You See What I See?’

From this in-depth study, HBR.org published ‘Are you Ready to Serve on a Board?‘ In January 2020.

Mullwood Partnership’s previous research study focused on the topic of ‘Broadening the CEO Succession Pool’, working in collaboration with Warwick Business School and supported by Criticaleye (Network of Leaders) around why HR Directors don’t typically make it to the CEO role.

Alongside Mullwood Partnership, Jo continues with her NED and strategic advisory roles with a number of firms.

Jo also enjoys association with extensive networks and is a contributor and executive member with the Criticaleye (Network of Leaders) and as a ‘Maverick’ with Wavelength focused on social entrepreneurialism, together with working with schools around mentoring support, developing leadership awareness and ability for future careers.

It was a pleasure to work with (Jo Sellwood-Taylor at) Mullwood Partnership to find a Non-Executive Director; the appointment clearly brings valuable experience to the board. It was a truly enjoyable and highly successful experience. I look forward to working with them again in the future.
Chairman