Our Key People

The team at Piedmont possess a genuine enthusiasm and enjoyment for their chosen career. They have a deep allegiance and commitment to the success of their clients and candidates; they are driven to match both parties' needs. Please click on their names to read about their backgrounds.

KARLA DORSCH - Chief Executive Officer

Before establishing The Piedmont Group in 1999, Karla spent a number of years at a major international search firm specialising in financial services. Building on her professional experience, she has a unique breadth of recruitment experience, which encompasses corporate finance, global markets, investment management, private equity, and real estate.

As well as her extensive exposure to recruiting in the UK, Karla has handled assignments throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Her in-depth knowledge of the financial services, together with her recruitment experience, enables her to quickly understand and provide expert advice on how to solve complex recruitment problems. This value added service has enabled her to build long term business relationships with clients.

Karla was educated at Columbia University graduating with Honours. She also studied for an MSc degree from London School of Economics in Economics and received an MBA in Finance from New York University.

After receiving her MBA, Karla worked as a Regulatory and Policy Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York concentrating on assessing the capital, assets, equity, liquidity and management of member banks. She then joined Merrill Lynch Investment Bank, providing advice to private clients on foreign exchange, fixed income and equity investment decisions, as well as trust and fiduciary services.

SUSIE LEE - Principal

Susie brings over 20 years' executive search experience to Piedmont thereby equipping her with an enviable wealth of knowledge and understanding of the industry.

She began her career working closely with John Stork at John Stork International followed by Korn/Ferry International and latterly a leading UK Executive Search firm specialising in financial services during the 1990's before joining Piedmont early in 2000.

Susie has handled a wide range of assignments within private equity, investment banking, investment management, and hedge funds in the Middle East and Africa.

Canadian-born, Susie lived in Montreal and Atlanta before arriving in the UK. She completed her education at the International School and later attended Bennington College in Vermont. She retains dual Canadian/British citizenship.

ANDREW THOMAS - CONSULTANT

Andrew joined Piedmont after working for a specialist Commodities Executive Search firm for 4 years. His areas of expertise have cover senior commercial and technical positions in the petrochemical, chemicals, plastics, fertiliser and energy commodity markets. Prior to that, he spent 13 years in the chemicals and plastics industries. With extensive petrochemical sales and marketing experience within the trading and distribution sectors he has worked across a wide range of industry sectors. Having managed several businesses within each sector his contacts range from global producers, traders, consumers, energy conglomerates. Andrew was educated at Goldsmiths’ College, University of London receiving a B.Sc. Biology with Chemistry and City University, London where he completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry.

TIM WILKES - Principal

Tim Wilkes has over 25 years experience in global human resource capital consulting. He has worked as a consultant with a number of international search firms, including AT Kearney, the Bird Moore Partnership as well as his own firm. He has extensive consultancy experience in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

At Piedmont Tim is responsible for consulting with the equity markets businesses of investment banks and fund managers, helping them to successfully hire key management and revenue earning professionals.

Tim was educated at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and served twelve years as a British Army Officer in Europe, North and Central America, and the Near East. He is a past chairman of the fund raising committee at his local hospital and trustee for a number of service charitable organisations. He is a passionate sailor and is to be found racing his yacht on the east coast most weekends.

CARON HALLOWAY-CHURCHILL - Consultant, Abu Dhabi

Caron comes from an entrepreneurial back ground having built and run businesses from Commodity Trading through Interior Design and Construction planning.

She has provided consultancy to many industries including Pharmaceutical, Banking, Construction and Engineering. Now based in the Gulf and drawing on her broad contact base Caron is able to provide consultancy on recruitment and the relocation of staff both to and from the region.

ROBERT PUGH - Advisor

Robert Pugh brings over 25 years real estate experience to Piedmont.

A qualified Chartered Surveyor, he has worked extensively for real estate consultancies, property companies/ developers and investors. His clients range from global consulting firms and full-service real estate sector providers to niche specialists with specific market sector focus.

Robert's wide ranging consulting experience meets the diverse needs of real estate investors, corporations and "end users" assisting them in consolidating their clients or their own real estate services and functions.

His expertise includes asset management, portfolio reviews and valuations, corporate services, landlord and tenant representation, investment sales and the disposal of "legacy portfolio's, treasury budgeting and property/facilities management.

Robert holds a BSc. in Estate Management from De Montfort University and is MRICS.

ANDREW TILLEY - Associate

Andrew joined our office in London in 2011 after a 4 year spell at executive search firm Connected Group in Dubai. He works C-Level searches over a number of industry verticals.
>He has worked on various senior level roles within public sector, non for profits, real estate, hospitality, IT and banking in the Gulf region.

Andrew brings with him research methodology expertise and a deep understanding of the regional and cultural nuances of the Middle East.