More about our key people

Anne Elliott

Managing Director

Anne has over 20 years experience and undertaken three wide ranging director roles in the not for profit and private sector. 

Anne has led on over 500 search and selection exercises for Chief Executive and Director roles and is recognised as a leader in this field.

She has extensive experience of the following:

• Developing OD strategy,
• Leading large-scale search and selection programmes;
• Leading on complex HR projects;
• Designing and running senior assessment and development centres;
• Remuneration and Reward;
• Management and leadership development;
• Developing and implementing talent management programmes
• Personal coaching and mentoring;
• Culture and organisational change

Anne has published research on a range of organisational development issues and she is asked to chair and present at OD conferences on a regular basis.

Anne is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and she is qualified to BPS Levels A and B; Myers Briggs and FIRO B . Her wide ranging interpersonal skills and lateral thinking enable Anne to gain the trust of clients and produce valuable business outcomes.

Nina Barrier

Consultancy Co-ordinator

Nina brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about HR and Executive Search and Selection organisation and administrative procedures.

With more than 15 years experience of working in HR and executive search and selection, prior to joining EMA, Nina was a senior administrator for a national HR and executive selection consultancy. At the beginning of her career Nina worked for ten years in a training consultancy. Here she was responsible for organising staff training for a range of private sector organisations.

As one of EMA’s Consultancy Co-ordinators, Nina’s key role is the management and organisation of executive search and selection. She is first point of contact at EMA and strives to build and maintain strong relationships with clients. She is able to use her wide range of skills to provide the ultimate in customer service.

Lorna Lee

Consultancy Co-ordinator

With more than seventeen years experience, Lorna is highly skilled in Administration, HR, Recruitment and Selection, Customer Service and Staff Training and Development.
Prior to joining EMA Lorna worked as an administrator for a national HR and executive selection consultancy. 

Before moving to consultancy work Lorna managed more than 50 staff for a leading leisure business. Here she oversaw all staff recruitment, training, development and ensured that all of the company’s policies and procedures were adhered to, as well as coordinating the opening of new sites throughout the country.

As a Consultancy Co-ordinator, Lorna’s key role is the management and organisation of executive search and selection. She is a first point of contact with clients and strives to build and maintain strong relationships. She is able to use her wide range of skills to provide the ultimate in customer service


 Kathy Hampden

Executive Director

A former HR Director, Kathy has an established reputation for delivering success as a lead consultant, a senior HR practitioner and as a general manager. She has led a wide range of consultancy assignments with listed and private commercial companies, housing and regeneration organisations, local authorities, the NHS and within the charitable sector.  She has also written numerous articles on HR themes which have been published in the national press.

She is strategically focused with a sound commercial understanding and a firm grasp on employment law and best practice. She is viewed by others asa highly proactive and creative person with an open and flexible style.

A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and registered with the British Psychological Society, Kathy also has extensive experience of using psychometric instruments for assessment and development including the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.

Kathy specifically undertakes EMA consultancy assignments in the following areas:

• Executive search, assessment and selection;
• Culture and organisational change;
• Reward management;
• Complex HR projects and employee relations case work.

Grahame Ewing

Executive Director

Grahame has extensive Senior Management experience in both the private and public sectors. He is an HR specialist with experience ranging from creating HR departments to implementing major new organisational policies. 

His innovative yet pragmatic approach has enabled him to successfully complete projects as diverse as managing Investors in People accreditation to converting a confrontational industrial relations environment into a pro-active employee involvement culture. 

He has designed, communicated and trained staff in major change initiatives and regularly presents sessions at national housing events.


Rita Coe

Executive Director

Rita is a qualified HR generalist with eight years operational management experience and more than eleven years experience in pure human resource roles.

She has experience in both the private and public sector advising on a wide range of HR issues, and managing and co-ordinating major changes within organisations including structure redesign, systems, policies and procedures. Her public sector experience has been predominantly working with housing companies helping them to adopt a more commercial approach to all aspects of their business.

During the last seven years, operating as an Associate for a national consultancy in housing, Rita has successfully delivered HR solutions which meet the clients' business needs.


Ann Ive

Managing Consultant

Ann Ive is an HR specialist with significant experience gained over more than eighteen years in the housing sector, added to considerable previous public sector HR management experience in the NHS.

Formerly a Human Resources Manager reporting to Boards and Executive teams, Ann brings a wealth of knowledge, practical skills and expertise, which combined with her positive attitude, provides reliable and thorough advice and support over the whole range of HR issues.

She has worked with small private commercial companies as well as large housing organisations and offers a flexible and adaptable approach, whether dealing with policies and procedures, job design or advising on management structures.

Ann is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and committed to ensuring that HR adds value to organisations and is recognised as an integral business resource.