Legal & Compliance Search and Recruitment

ABOUT US

We are regulatory recruitment specialists with a core focus on asset management, hedge funds and private equity.


Our strength lies in finding commercially minded Compliance Officers in the UK and internationally. Our focus is permanent appointments at mid and senior levels. For trusted clients we help advise and build out small teams across all abilities. Personal and cultural fit is a key driver in candidate selection for every search.

As an independent boutique, we are relentlessly focused on quality. A Partner-led search guarantees the highest standard of work and fosters longevity in both client and candidate relationships. Avenell Search is not a volume driven business, we consult and counsel first.

Testimonials Data

“Cat helped me as a candidate, providing good advice and regular updates throughout the process, and I was particularly impressed with her knowledge and understanding of the industry and the technical compliance roles. I was so impressed with Cat that when I needed to hire, I turned to her to help source some candidates. She proved excellent at that also and I don't exaggerate when I say that she helped me find one of the best hires I have made in my career.” (client and candidate)

Global Asset Manager: $600bn AuM

Compliance Director, SM16/17

“Catriona was brilliant at introducing me to and preparing me for a role I had never previously considered. She was efficient, super knowledgeable, personable, and made me feel as though she was working for me, rather than my subsequent employer!” (candidate)

Global Asset Manager

Head of Compliance, Risk, Senior Counsel, Ireland

“Cat was a trusted consultant to me over a number of years and this built a basis of trust. This relationship maturing throughout my career, meant that when the right role came up I was delighted to have her representing me, as I knew she understood me and my career objectives. I was impressed by how much of a trusted and strong advocate she was, on my behalf as a candidate. Throughout the process Cat kept me updated, gave me realistic feedback and made great representations to the target firm, supporting my candidacy. I would not hesitate to use Cat again as a candidate or a hiring manager. She is one of a kind.” (candidate)

Credit focused Asset Manager: $5bn AuM

Chief Compliance Officer

“Cat has recently conducted two senior searches for us, a senior Credit Compliance specialist in London and Compliance Director role in Singapore. The quality of candidates she provided was excellent, she knows the London market inside out, is professional in her approach and stands out from the sea of recruitment consultants in the market. We will continue to use her services for further growth and I would be happy to recommend Cat to others looking to conduct searches in compliance.” (client)

Global Private Equity firm: $70bn AuM

Global Head of Compliance

“I recently worked with Avenell Search in relation to the recruitment of our new Head of Compliance and am delighted to provide a reference. Ms Golden was always a pleasure to deal with and I was particularly impressed not only by the range of candidates that she found for us but also by her knowledge of the candidates themselves. It was clear that she had worked as hard to get to know them as she did to get to know our organisation and to understand our requirements. The result was that she introduced an excellent range of appropriately qualified and experienced candidates while avoiding bombarding us with unsuitable ones. I would certainly engage her again should the need arise.” (client)

Long only Asset Manager: $5bn AuM

Partner, General Counsel

“I have worked with Cat on a number of Compliance roles over the years. She always takes the time to fully understand the brief and uses her very broad network of compliance professionals to good effect.” (client)

Private Debt Manager & Global Private Equity firm

Head of HR

"Unlike other recruiters I have come across, Cat takes a genuine interest in helping you find the role that is right for you. She is very personable and will take the time to get to know you, offering tailored guidance and insightful tips as she is well respected in the industry. She will help you define a long-term career strategy and maximise your potential. I am confident you will want to stay in contact with her over the years just as I did!” (candidate)

Financial Advisory firm

Head of Compliance

“Cat helped me secure my current position as Compliance Director and I was impressed by her work. She has excellent Industry knowledge, is very well connected and aware of the latest trends in the Industry. She has been very helpful during the whole interview process and beyond and always made an effort to keep me informed. I can only highly recommend her.” (candidate)

Global Private Equity

Compliance Director

“I connected with Cat on LinkedIn several years ago. We have stayed in contact over the years, and Cat has recently placed me in a new role, as Head of Legal and Compliance, which she felt was the perfect fit for me – and she was right! Cat takes time to really get to know the people she puts forward to companies, both in terms of their personalities, working styles and working wish-lists. She wants to ensure that the match works for both sides. Cat is straight-talking and no-nonsense; she takes care not to waste anyone’s time. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Cat, and very much intend to stay in contact throughout my career!” (candidate)

Brokerage Firm

Head of Legal and Compliance

“Cat successfully helped us recruit for a newly created senior Compliance position. This was our first permanent Compliance hire and ensuring the right personal fit was essential. Cat was very attentive, she shared good candidates with us and was professional throughout. She knows her market very well.” (client)

Private Equity: $2bn AuM

Managing Partner

 
 

FOUNDING PARTNER

Catriona Golden is Avenell Search’s Founder and Managing Partner.

With over fifteen years’ experience in search and recruitment Cat has specialised in the Compliance market since 2004.

After graduating from Trinity College Dublin, Cat worked for a boutique Search firm building out and managing a successful Compliance desk of six consultants before starting Avenell Search in 2014.

Cat’s in-depth market knowledge and long standing industry relationships underpin the quality of her work. She has an excellent grasp of the nuances of finding exceptional regulatory professionals who can partner with the business.

Known for her authenticity and straight forward approach, Cat pushes candidates to assess themselves honestly and analytically. Cat is highly proactive and sensitive to a firm’s requirements and will mitigate risk continuously through every search.

Outside of work, Cat is kept on her toes by her two little boys. She is a keen tennis player, snow boarder and gardener. Cat loves art and design and spends many weekends getting carried away at her local auction!

cat.golden@avenellsearch.com

+44 (0)7915 057 225

OUR MARKETS

ALTERNATIVE MARKETS

Private Equity, Private Debt, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Hedge funds

RECENT ASSIGNMENTS

Chief Compliance Officer: Private Debt Manager, £10bn AuM

Compliance Manager: Boutique Private Equity, $2bn AuM

Compliance Director, Singapore: Global Private Equity, $75bn AuM

Compliance Associate: Global Private Equity, $100bn AuM

ASSET MANAGEMENT

Institutional Investment Managers, Fund of Funds

 

Chief Compliance Officer: Credit Asset Manager, $5bn AuM

Compliance Officer: Long only Asset Manager, $5bn AuM

Head of Compliance & Snr Counsel: Global Manager, $600bn AuM

Compliance Analyst: European Asset Manager, $200bn AuM

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Investment banks, Corporate Finance Boutiques, Brokerages

 

Head of Legal and Compliance: Trading Platform

Head of Compliance: Boutique Financial Advisory firm

Compliance Manager: Boutique Financial Advisory firm

CONTACT

To help support our clients we are happy to consult ad lib with the following:

  • workforce planning

  • salary bench-marking

  • market analysis

  • competitor intelligence

We welcome calls from individuals seeking career advice.

Consulting is what we enjoy and do best.

 

+44 (0)7915 057 225

info@avenellsearch.com

We are based in London, UK