UK-headquartered recruitment and advisory firm SF Partners has appointed former Robert Walters regional CEO Chris Hickey as a Board Advisor, as the business enters its next phase of growth following a period of rapid expansion.
Hickey, who previously led Robert Walters plc across the UK & Ireland, Middle East, Africa and North America, brings extensive experience in scaling international businesses, entering new markets and leading through periods of change.
A qualified lawyer, he has also held a number of Non-Executive roles and has worked closely with private equity-backed businesses, with a particular focus on innovation across the recruitment sector, including the use of AI.
His appointment comes shortly after the firm’s rebrand from SF Recruitment to SF Partners, a move designed to reflect the company’s evolution and increasingly partnership-led approach as it has grown alongside its client base.
Founded in Birmingham in 1998, SF Partners has expanded from a regional finance and accountancy recruiter into a multi-disciplinary business operating across six specialist areas: Executive Search, Finance, Technology, Transformation, Engineering and Professional Services. The firm now operates across the UK and internationally, with offices in Birmingham, London, the East Midlands, Manchester and Frankfurt.
The business has seen significant growth in recent years. Since 2020, SF Partners has more than doubled revenue, increased headcount by over 200% and opened its first international office in Frankfurt. It has also delivered more than 500 private equity-backed mandates, with a growing proportion of its work focused on mid-to-senior appointments and executive search.
Commenting on the appointment, CEO Saira Demmer said:
“Chris brings a depth of experience that is very relevant to where we are as a business today. He has led at scale, understands international growth and has a clear view of how our industry is evolving. As we continue to grow and broaden our offering, his perspective will help us make the right decisions and build on the momentum we’ve created.”
Chris Hickey added:
“SF Partners has built a strong reputation over many years, underpinned by long-term relationships and a clear understanding of its markets. The business has evolved significantly in recent years, and I’m looking forward to working with Saira and the Board as they continue to grow and develop the firm.”
SF Partners has also focused on strengthening the experience of its consultant base, with employees averaging more than 12 years of specialist experience.
Alongside its recruitment offering, the firm provides advisory services including private equity pre-deal support and leadership development programmes.
SF Partners plans to continue investing in its specialist teams and international reach, with ambitions to grow revenues by a further 50% over the next three years.
Posted on 02 April 2026
