Our Team
Our Founders Richard and Rod first worked together in 1990. Creating an award winning office and region for an NYSE-quoted international financial recruitment group, they developed their business into the market leading financial recruiter in the central southern region. They reunited in September 2010, after a 10-year separation to form the Chilworth Partnership.
From those early days, the business is now well-supported by an established Research function that is constantly looking for the best talent, whether local, national or international.
Rod Hutchings
Director, Head of Interim Practice
Rod is a joint-founder of the Chilworth Partnership and a well-known personality in the world of financial recruitment in the South of England. With more than 25 years’ experience in delivering successfully on both interim and permanent assignments Rod has built a strong and loyal network of professional relationships. Following 10 years with an International Fortune 500 business where he first met his business partner Richard Carter, Rod helped in the launch of a successful executive recruitment company in the Thames Valley. He remained with the business after its sale to an AIM listed company in 2007.
A family man, Rod lives in Hampshire. He enjoys playing tennis and golf regularly and is an avid follower of Southampton Football Club.
Tel: 02380 111 818
Mob: 07712 656 515
Richard Carter
Director, Head of CFO and Leadership Search Practice
Richard is a joint founder of Chilworth Partnership and has a diverse Client base ranging from SMEs to large listed businesses. He recruits senior appointments from finance manager through to CFO/COO/CEO.
Richard has worked in financial recruitment for over twenty five years. After training as an accountant with PwC, he specialised in recruiting qualified accountants for a Fortune 500 NYSE listed recruitment business. With Rod Hutchings he launched a multi-award winning office in Southampton in 1990. After successive promotions to that firm’s UK and European Boards, Richard launched their successful European interim management business.
He has extensive experience of consulting and leadership roles in small businesses and founded his own executive recruitment business which he sold in 2004.
Richard has two grown-up daughters and loves fine dining, wine, cinema and theatre. He is also a keen sports fan.
Tel: 02380 111 817
Mob: 07773 359903
Lisa Smith
Resource Manager
Lisa graduated with a 2:1 from the University of Southampton in 2019 and began work at the Venture Recruitment Partners in August 2019 as a Resourcing Manager. This role involves searching for new candidates via job search websites, as well as through the company website and also staying in touch with existing candidates.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys travelling and sports, including playing rounders and swimming.
Tel: 02380 119 688
lisa@chilworthpartnership.co.uk
Jodie Fox
Marketing Manager
Jodie joined Chilworth Partnership at the beginning of 2019 as our Marketing Manager overseeing all marketing, digital and social media activity.
She is a proven senior marketing professional with over 15 years working for one of the UK’s leading retail brands, as well as a non-profit organization, and an inhouse advertising agency.
Outside of work Jodie has a keen interest in all aspects of health & fitness, as well as travelling.
Tel: 02380 111 813
jodie@chilworthpartnership.co.uk
Freya Batten
Assistant HR & Business Admin Support Manager
Freya graduated with a 2:1 from Bournemouth University in 2015 and began working within Events in the Hospitality sector before moving into Recruitment and HR roles. Freya joined the Venture Recruitment Partners in July 2021 as Assistant HR and Business Administration Support Manager.
Outside of work, Freya enjoys dog walks in the New Forest and spending time with family and friends.
Tel: 02380 011 9820
freya@vrpartners.co.uk
Sonia Roundell
Finance Manager
Sonia is our newest team member and qualified with her AAT qualification in 2012 and has progressed her career in finance within SMEs. As Finance Manager, Sonia is responsible for managing the day-to-day finance tasks with Chilworth Partnership & Venture Recruitment Partners and assisting with all the management reports.
Outside of work, Sonia has two grown-up children and is super active. She enjoys playing badminton, doing yoga, and running locally as part of a lady’s running group.
Tel. 02380 119 820
Lynne Kelsey
Office Manager
Lynne first worked with Richard and Rod over 20 years ago at an international recruitment business. She has worked consistently in the recruitment industry since then and was appointed Office Manager of Chilworth Partnership when it launched in 2010.
Lynne has two children and enjoys worldwide travel and horse riding.
Tel: 02380 111 816
lynne@chilworthpartnership.co.uk
John Roper
Director of Finance
John’s responsibilities include internal financial reporting and business planning to the board and management team and liaising with the company’s auditors, bankers and statutory authorities.
In his early career John gained broad experience working across a range of industries before focusing on commercial finance.
Since 2003 John has specialised in the recruitment industry where he has worked for a number of executive recruitment companies and has hands on experience of managing change and high growth strategies.
John is as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Member of the Institute of Credit Management.
In his spare time he enjoys travelling, photography and motor sports.
Tel: 02380 111 813
Mob: 07803 002783