Greg Parkinson

Chief Executive

As the Founder and Chief Executive of Elevation Recruitment Group, a leading Group of multi-disciplined recruitment specialists, Greg Parkinson is the Chief Executive of Parkinson Lee. With deep experience and expertise in Executive Search, Greg has an outstanding track record of success, completing assignments with a high level of client satisfaction over many years.

Greg is also the Group CEO who leads the business. With a strong vision, integrity, and a motivating management style, Greg is one of our region’s most talented entrepreneurs.

Lee Bhandal

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Lee Bhandal is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Parkinson Lee Executive Search and a Board Director at our parent company, Elevation Recruitment Group. With over 25 years’ executive search experience, he has successfully recruited C-Suite and senior executive appointments across the North of England, the Midlands, London, and the Thames Valley. Recognised as a trusted Board and Private Equity advisor, Lee has a proven track record in transforming leadership teams and delivering exceptional results for clients.

Joining Elevation Recruitment Group in 2011 as an equity partner, Lee led the launch of the Group’s dedicated executive search arm. In 2014, alongside CEO Greg Parkinson, he co-founded Parkinson Lee and played a pivotal role in the successful management buyout of the Group, securing high-level investment from HSBC to fuel continued growth.

As Practice Lead for the appointment of CEOs, Chairs, and Non-Executive Directors, Lee combines strategic insight, unrivalled regional knowledge, and a network built over decades—making him one of the most respected and experienced executive search practitioners in Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

Philip Hill

Non-Executive Director

Phil Hill is the Non-Executive Director of Parkinson|Lee Executive Search and a qualified Executive Coach, Chartered Accountant and Business Mentor to a number of Yorkshire’s fastest growing, entrepreneurial SME businesses.

Phil is also a Group Board Director of Elevation Consultancy Group Ltd and plays a pivotal role ensuring that the Group’s finances and operational procedures are robust so as to guarantee the long term future of the Group.

Career highlights include 6 years as a Finance Director at Plc level, 9 years as Managing Director/ Owner of a High Growth Recruitment Business and 7 years as an Executive coach and mentor, assisting many of Yorkshire’s businesses and their Directors achieve their strategic and commercial objectives.

Phil plays a key role in using his experience and knowledge to give advice and guidance to the Directors within both group companies. He also works closely with the Group Board Directors to define the Company’s strategic ambitions and to ensure these ambitions are achieved.

Sarah-Lee Neesam

Partner

Sarah-Lee is a Partner at Parkinson Lee who works at the intersection of executive search excellence and strategic board leadership. Sarah-Lee partners with CEOs, MDs, and Founders to build high-performing boards and senior leadership teams that drive business success. Her expertise lies not just in identifying exceptional talent, but in understanding the strategic composition required for boards and executive teams to function at the highest level. She specialises in senior and executive appointments where the stakes are highest—roles that are critical to client growth, technical innovation, and long-term competitive advantage.

Parent Company Board Member

Sarah-Lee’s board expertise extends beyond her role. She sits on Parkinson Lee’s Parent Company Board (Elevation Recruitment) as Transformation Director, where she provides strategic guidance on:

1. Technical Innovation: Advising on how emerging technologies and digital transformation impact talent requirements and organisational structure
2. Governance: Ensuring best practices in corporate governance, risk management, and board effectiveness
3. AI Developments: Guiding the organisation’s approach to artificial intelligence, both as a business tool and as a factor reshaping the executive talent landscape

This dual board experience—at both industry and corporate level—gives Sarah-Lee a rare 360-degree perspective on leadership effectiveness that few executive search professionals can match.

Delivery Excellence Across All Markets – Local, National, and Global Reach

Sarah-Lee’s delivery capabilities span every geographic level, enabling her to serve clients wherever their talent needs take them:

• Local Expertise: Deep knowledge of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and East Midlands business ecosystems allows her to identify and attract senior leaders who understand regional markets and can hit the ground running.
• National Network: Extensive relationships across UK sectors enable her to conduct nationwide searches for listed companies, national organisations, and businesses seeking broader market presence.
• International Capability: Proven experience in cross-border executive search, including international board appointments and global leadership roles requiring multi-market expertise

Emma Noble

Managing Partner

Emma works on retained advertised led campaigns, PSL and mandate led assignments and her work has contributed to growth strategy, turnaround, relocation, buyouts and business critical change.

She works closely with key industry bodies, such as CIPD as well as local and national Law firms providing legislative expertise and updates, to support the growth and success of the local industry as well as keeping abreast of key industry knowledge and network with the most successful and talented professionals in their field.

Emma is uniquely qualified to both advise and guide individuals within her personal network having been a previous business owner, Managing Director and Non – Executive Director, all of which provided her with a breadth of invaluable experience.

A proud professional, Emma has a personal reputation in the Yorkshire region that is second to none, clearly based on her work ethic, credibility and desire to remain as the search partner of choice.

Emma is also an intrinsic member of the Group Leadership Team providing insight, guidance and council in the ongoing development and running of the Group.

John Bohan

Partner

John Bohan is the Engineering & Manufacturing Practice Lead at Parkinson|Lee Executive Search and is a key member of the senior leadership team for parent company Elevation Recruitment Group Ltd.

John has over 13 years executive search experience recruiting within the engineering and manufacturing sector, specialising in Executive and Senior Management level appointments. During this time, he has operated on a retained, mandate lead basis for an extensive number of the region’s leading and most innovative employers. Key hires have contributed to; growth strategy, turnaround, relocation, buyouts and business critical change.

Johns success ranges from SME to Blue Chip businesses and from precision engineering to chemical processing facilities. He has a diverse technical appreciation for all sectors enabling him to offer our clients a bespoke and effective solution.

His assignments are critical to the success of his clients and as such John spends time to fully understand the technicality of the product and process of each business as well as the culture behind it.

He works closely with key industry bodies, such the IMechE, IET, and IChemE, to support the growth and success of the industry in the UK as well as keep abreast of key industry knowledge and network with the most successful and talented professionals in their field.

Carl Walker

Partner

Carl Walker brings a wealth of experience to Parkinson Lee Executive Search and building on his 18 year, successful track record within the manufacturing sector to focus on leadership roles across this specialism. Carl has a wealth of knowledge in this area and has successfully delivered an extensive number of Permanent, Interim and Fixed Term Contract senior leadership and executive assignments on both a retained and contingent basis for his clients.

Carl is the go to person amongst his peer group and his network across the region. He has advised and assisted multiple businesses across the region including SME’s, Private Equity Owned, Plc’s and major blue chip organisations. His success is built upon a foundation of strong relationships with both clients and candidates which have developed into many long term relationships.

His consultative approach, deep industry knowledge, and technical expertise allow him to deliver exceptional service and exceed client expectations. Carl is known for his established network of contacts within the Yorkshire manufacturing sector, ensuring a deep understanding of the talent landscapes.

Adam Dickson

Associate Partner

Adam Dickson is an Associate Partner at Parkinson Lee Executive Search. He has over 20 years’ experience in recruiting executive & board level appointments across the UK (Yorkshire, East Midlands, London, Thames Valley), and internationally across Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific and the UAE.

Adam has spent 10 years of his career in Australia, leading an executive search firm with reach across the Asia Pacific market, whilst operating within a global ASX listed business based out of Sydney. Adam has substantial experience in completing retained search mandates for a broad range of clients, ranging from Blue Chip, SME and Private Equity backed organisations.

As a previous business owner, and having held numerous leadership roles, Adam prides himself on exceptional service delivery for clients and candidates, acting as both a trusted career advisor and search partner. As an Associate partner at Parkinson Lee, Adam delivers executive assignments on behalf of a comprehensive list of FTSE and Aim listed PLCs, Private Equity & Venture Capital, SME and Not For Profit / Public Sector organisations.

Helenna Bell

Associate Partner

Helenna is an Associate Partner of Parkinson Lee Executive Search and leads the Interim CFO Practice.

With over 12 years of recruitment experience and 6 years of specialising within the Interim Senior Finance Market across the region, she is dedicated to Executive Level and Transformation led appointments across the Yorkshire and surrounding area.

Helenna has repeatedly and successfully delivered multiple interim senior leadership and transformation-led appointments using a bespoke approach to each interim solution. Assignments include both contingent searches and retained mandates and her network of candidates includes those open to fixed-term contracts and both professional contractors and consultants.

Helenna has advised and assisted multiple businesses across the region including SME’s, PLC’s and major blue chip organisations. Her success is built upon a foundation of strong relationships with both clients and candidates which have developed into many long-term relationships. Helenna’s consultative approach, deep industry knowledge, and understanding of the full Accountancy & Finance landscape allows her to deliver exceptional service and exceed client expectations. She is well-known for her established network of contacts within the Yorkshire Accountancy & Finance network, ensuring a deep and long-term partnership across multiple businesses in the region.

Rachael Lee

Client Relationship Manager

With 19 years’ experience, Rachael has built a reputation that extends far beyond efficient research. She prides herself on building long-standing relationships and acting as a trusted partner and career advisor to business leaders within our network.

Rachael’s approach is defined by several core principles:

Structured Research Methodology: Every mandate begins with comprehensive market analysis. Rachael doesn’t just identify obvious candidates; she systematically maps entire talent pools, identifying hidden gems and passive candidates who perfectly match client requirements.

In-Depth Candidate Intelligence: Beyond CVs and LinkedIn profiles, Rachael conducts thorough candidate interviews and cultural assessments. She understands that technical qualifications are just the starting point—cultural fit, leadership style, and long-term career aspirations are equally critical to successful placements.

Over-Delivery as Standard: Rachael consistently exceeds expectations, delivering accurate, well-researched long-lists that reflect not just who is available, but who is genuinely right for each mandate. Her thoroughness means our Partners—and ultimately our clients—can make decisions with confidence.

Whether mapping a local market for a regional SME, conducting a national search for a FTSE-listed client, or identifying international talent for a cross-border appointment, Rachael brings the same rigour, relationship focus, and commitment to excellence that has defined her 19-year career in search.

Gemma Chapman

Client Relationship Manager

Gemma uses her expertise as Client Relationship Manager to partner closely with clients. She leads the research, market mapping, and talent identification for all retained mandates. Additionally, Gemma ensures the Parkinson Lee networks are informed, relevant, and up-to-date across all assignments. With 18+ years’ recruitment experience, Gemma prides herself on delivering a consultative service and identifying the best talent in the market. Gemma consistently exceeds expectations by providing our Partners with comprehensive long-lists for every relevant mandate. Her success stems from a meticulous market research process, in-depth candidate interviews, and rigorous cultural assessments.

Rebecca Lilley

Research Assistant

Rebecca supports the delivery of executive search assignments through detailed administrative support, research coordination, and candidate mapping. She plays a key role in managing search administration, maintaining accurate records, and supporting the team with candidate engagement processes, contributing to a thorough and well-organised search process.