Natasha Makhijani: Empowering Change from the C-Suite and Beyond
In a world often swept by haste and hollow ambition, a different kind of leader emerged—one not forged by fortune alone, but by clarity, courage, and unwavering conviction. Her name is Natasha Makhijani.
From the moment she stepped into the realm of executive recruitment, first with titans like Hays and Michael Page—she was guided by more than metrics or margins. There was a quiet fire in her: a deep-seated belief that leadership should be authentic, inclusive, and purposeful.
And so, she heeded her calling. From this vision, Oliver Sanderson Group PLC was born, not just as another firm, but as a values-led sanctuary within the corporate world. A place where diversity is sacred, innovation is intentional, and where the right leader is not just found, but called forth.
During the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many faltered, Natasha rose with luminous resolve. She launched Snapp CV, an industry-first tech platform, and birthed a charity dedicated to empowering emerging Black leaders in HR actions not of strategy alone, but of soul.
Her path was never about speed. In an industry hungry for rapid expansion, Natasha chose instead the wisdom of disciplined growth. She listened to data, reflected deeply, and led with grace. For her, pausing was not a weakness it was a sacred act of intentional leadership.
Today, she stands as a guardian of transformation, bridging old systems with new possibilities. Natasha is not merely a founder or CEO; she is a steward of vision, a vessel of change, and a lightbearer for those who believe leadership can and should be led by values.
The Visionary Journey of Natasha
Natasha began her career at Hays and later at Michael Page, two of the UK’s foremost recruitment firms. There, she developed a strong foundation in executive recruitment and gained firsthand insight into the dynamics of leadership placement at the highest levels.
Over time, Natasha recognized a clear and unmet need in the industry a gap for a values-led executive search firm that placed diversity, innovation, and authentic leadership at its core. This realization led to the founding of Oliver Sanderson Group PLC in 2011. Her vision was to go beyond traditional recruitment to build a company that not only placed exceptional leaders, but also partnered with organizations to reshape their culture and values from the top down.
Though entrepreneurship wasn’t her initial path, it became a natural progression once she saw the transformational impact of a more bespoke, purpose-driven model.
As a leader, Natasha is collaborative, decisive, empowering, and impact-driven. She believes in setting a clear strategic vision while giving her team the autonomy to thrive within it. Though she leads with purpose and vision, she remains hands-on and deeply involved when needed ensuring that execution stays aligned with intent.
Scaling with Integrity and Staying People-First
Launching Oliver Sanderson Group PLC during a period of economic uncertainty posed its share of challenges, but for Natasha, the most significant hurdle came later—scaling the business while remaining true to its core values and uncompromising standards of service.
In an industry that often favors rapid expansion, Natasha made a deliberate choice: to grow strategically. She led the company into new sectors, embraced emerging technologies, and deepened its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through it all, she learned that navigating uncertainty requires more than business acumen, it demands resilience, clarity of purpose, and an unwavering people-first approach.
Her communication style is a reflection of these values. Widely recognized as open, transparent, and inclusive, Natasha is both approachable and hands-on. She believes in leading by example and maintaining close relationships with her team. For her, communication is not about top-down directives, but about listening, mentoring, and fostering a shared sense of purpose.
At the heart of Oliver Sanderson’s culture is trust and collaboration, built upon the strength of the relationships Natasha nurtures within the business every day.
Leading Through Crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Natasha and her team at Oliver Sanderson Group PLC faced immense pressure, like so many businesses around the world. A critical crossroads emerged: cut costs through downsizing, or invest in innovation to future-proof the organization. Natasha chose the bold path forward.
Rather than contract, she led the development of Snapp CV, a cutting-edge digital recruitment platform. She also expanded the firm’s services to include remote executive search and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion consultancy offering clients modern, adaptive solutions in a time of rapid change. The decision proved pivotal. Not only did the business survive the crisis, it emerged stronger, more agile, and even more relevant to its clients’ evolving needs.
When faced with uncertainty, Natasha embraces a deliberate, reflective approach. She turns to mentors, her leadership team, and trusted advisors to gain broader perspective. She gathers data, weighs possible outcomes, and only then makes a clear, intentional decision. For Natasha, pausing to reflect is not hesitation it’s a hallmark of smart leadership. And once the facts are clear, she trusts her instincts and moves forward with confidence.
Purpose, Prestige, and Progress
In 2022, Natasha was deeply honoured to be featured in the Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Album, which celebrated the contributions of exceptional business leaders across the UK. This prestigious recognition highlighted her role in shaping the future of executive recruitment through purpose-driven leadership, DE&I advocacy, and technological innovation.
Under Natasha’s visionary guidance, Oliver Sanderson Group PLC has continued to break new ground. The firm received industry acclaim, including Best Use of Innovation at the Global Business Tech Awards 2024, largely due to the success of its proprietary platform, Snapp CV. In parallel, Oliver Sanderson’s pioneering work in diversity and inclusion has garnered widespread respect across the HR and recruitment industries.
But for Natasha, accolades are not the goal they are affirmations that the work being done is meaningful. It’s not just about placing leaders it’s about shaping leadership teams that are inclusive, reflective of society, and capable of driving lasting change.
What truly distinguishes Oliver Sanderson is its fusion of purpose, innovation, and impact. The firm’s bespoke executive search offering is enhanced by cutting-edge tools like Snapp CV and a robust DE&I consultancy, enabling faster, smarter, and more inclusive placements than traditional search firms.
“We don’t just talk about change,” Natasha says, “We deliver it.”
Building Legacy Through Leadership, Trust, and Innovation
Natasha Makhijani is a firm believer in efficient, trust-based leadership. For her, micromanagement stifles creativity and erodes trust two elements vital to building high-performing teams. She hires exceptional talent, provides a clear strategic vision, and empowers her people with the tools and autonomy they need to thrive. While she remains closely involved in steering the company’s strategic direction, she trusts her team to lead and deliver within their areas of expertise.
To Natasha, leadership is about guidance, not control. Founding and scaling Oliver Sanderson Group PLC into a trusted name in executive search has been one of her most fulfilling achievements. Under her leadership, the firm has achieved a 98% placement success rate, delivering exceptional C-suite talent to clients including FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies.
Her journey has been marked by bold innovation and deep purpose. She led the development of Snapp CV, an industry-first tech platform, and launched a charity initiative to support emerging Black leaders in HR. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion isn’t just a talking point at Oliver Sanderson it’s a foundational part of the business model. Natasha and her team have not only embedded these principles into their own operations, but have helped countless clients build more inclusive, future-ready leadership teams.
Under Natasha’s visionary leadership, Oliver Sanderson has grown in reputation, impact, and purpose a journey she regards with deep pride.
Anchored in Values, Driven by Impact
Natasha often shares a guiding principle with fellow entrepreneurs and leaders:
“Stay true to your values. Build something that solves a real problem. Never lose sight of your purpose.” Through the inevitable highs and lows of entrepreneurship, what sustains her is the knowledge that the work truly matters that it creates impact beyond metrics and milestones. Her journey is defined by resilience, people-first leadership, and a relentless drive to innovate with intention.
She believes in surrounding herself with those who challenge and inspire, and encourages others to continually learn and evolve. For Natasha, entrepreneurship isn’t just a path to success it’s a commitment to purpose, a vehicle for transformation, and a way to leave a lasting legacy.
