The team
Cathy Alford
Managing Director
Cathy has substantial experience within the film and television industry. With a background in commercials, feature films and documentary editing, Cathy then became a copywriter and corporate producer. In 1995, she joined the BBC as Post Production Manager for BBC Resources and rose to become Factual Business Manager for BBC Broadcast, working alongside the controllers of BBC1 & BBC2. She joined Searchlight in September 2000.
Cathy is the Managing Director of both Searchlight Recruitment and Searchlight Executive. She works on a broad range of senior level appointments.
Alison Mathers
Senior Consultant
Alison has over twelve years' executive recruitment experience gained solely within the Media arena.
Prior to joining Searchlight she managed her own independent media recruitment consultancy where she operated as Managing Consultant for a number of high profile Media Clients. Before developing her career in recruitment Alison worked as a Researcher and Assistant Producer within the Television sector.
Alison conducts senior searches at managerial/executive level.
Audrey Cairo
Consultant
Audrey has a solid background in TV production and research having worked freelance for companies such as Endemol, SBS Broadcasting and 12 yards.
She joined Searchlight with an excellent understanding of the media and entertainment industry, and she is putting this to good use filling a broad range of junior-mid level roles for many of our regular clients.
Daniel Godding
Consultant
Daniel has an extensive background in presentation, scheduling and transmission gained at Sky. He therefore has an in-depth knowledge of how TV companies work – and the skillsets required.
He helps our clients fill junior – mid level roles within the broadcast sector.
Beverley Evans
Office Manager
With a strong background in Administration from her time at TNS and Billboard Magazine, Beverley keeps The Searchlight Group’s day to day operations running smoothly.
The most travelled member of our team, she recently embarked on trips to China, Hawaii and South America.
Melanie Hill
Researcher
With a background in finance and administration at the BBC, Melanie joined Searchlight as Office Manager in 2001. Her brief was broad, ranging from administration, finance and research, and we were sad to lose her when she left to look after her newly-born twins in 2006.
We’re glad to say that Melanie returned to Searchlight in 2011, and she now supports our consultants in research and resourcing.
Panna Mutsuddi
Finance Manager
Panna joined the Searchlight Group in 2010 having worked for industry leaders in the hospitality, fashion and recruitment sectors.
As Company Accountant at media hangout The Groucho Club, he gained a unique insight to the personalities and networking of movers and shakers in the sector.
Later roles at Conran Restaurants and Carol Hayes Management helped Panna develop a breadth of knowledge and business acumen which has contributed to Searchlight’s continued success.