Head4Talent is an executive search and senior finance recruitment consultancy based in Cardiff, South-Wales, with a far greater reach.
With extensive experience across three decades, we have built a reputation for identifying and attracting exceptional leaders and senior finance professionals – from rising talent to Board-level executives. Partnering with organisations across diverse sectors and scale, we help our clients find the people who truly make a difference.
‘The secret to my success is that we have gone to exceptional lengths to hire the best people in the world .’
Steve Jobs
Our Team and Approach
Our team is made up of experienced recruitment specialists, some of whom are also qualified Chartered Accountants, complemented by a resolute support team that ensures every project is delivered efficiently, to the highest standards, with rigour and diligence.
Our expertise is not learned overnight. It has been built over years of supporting organisations across multiple sectors, developing a deep understanding of the subtle but critical nuances of capability, attitude, personality, culture and fit – all of which define successful leadership hires.
As a small independent firm, we combine the experience and professionalism of our corporate backgrounds with a boutique, personalised approach. Our scale gives us the agility and responsiveness that larger recruitment groups sometimes lack. Whilst our consultants’ training and experience in leading corporate environments, assures best practice across both the technical and human aspects of executive recruitment.
Our Values
At Head4Talent, honesty, integrity and long-term relationships are at the core of everything we do.
For Clients:
We represent your organisation professionally, delivering leaders who can shape your business’s future.
For Candidates:
We provide straightforward advice, thoughtful guidance, and opportunities that truly match your ambitions.
Why clients work with us…
Specialist Expertise:
Focused solely on executive search and senior finance recruitment.
Experienced Consultants:
Our team combines recruitment experts and Chartered Accountants with decades of experience in finance, banking and executive search.
Search Reach Without Corporate Overhead:
Independent and agile, with access to global talent via technology and extensive networks.
Honesty and Integrity:
Long-term relationships built on open, transparent advice and the highest professional standards.
Agility, Responsiveness and Personalised Service:
Our boutique size and independence allow us to deliver exceptional results and outstanding service at competitive market rates.
At Head4Talent, we do not just fill roles – we connect the right people to the right organisations, helping businesses thrive and leaders succeed.
Meet the Team
Sian Drinkwater ACA | Founder and Director
Sian Drinkwater is the Founder of Head4Talent and remains at the heart of the business as a hands-on consultant and director. A Chartered Accountant by background, she brings over 30 years’ experience in executive and senior finance recruitment, with deep expertise in CFO, Finance Director and wider C-suite appointments.
Originally from Aberystwyth, Sian went on to study Modern Languages and Business at Swansea University before qualifying with Deloitte and the ICAEW. She began her recruitment career in 1996, spending 16 successful years at Hays Plc, where she became a Business Director and built an extensive network across the finance and executive landscape.
In 2012, Sian founded Head4Talent to create a more personal, relationship-led approach to executive recruitment. Known for her straight-talking style, insight, and discretion, she has built a strong reputation for delivering high-impact appointments across Wales and beyond.
Outside of work, Sian has three young adult sons and is rarely far from her much-loved mini schnauzer. A regular park runner with a passion for travel, she’s always planning her next adventure.
E: sian.drinkwater@head4talent.com
M: 07970 731459
DJ Medway ACA | Associate Director
With more than a decade at Head4Talent, DJ Medway brings a unique blend of Big 4 accountancy expertise and corporate banking experience to senior finance recruitment. Her background enables her to understand the technical, commercial, and strategic demands of the roles she recruits, from Financial Controllers and Heads of Finance to FP&A Managers and Finance Business Partners.
DJ graduated from Cardiff University with a joint honours degree in Economics and Spanish before qualifying as an ACA with PwC. After progressing to Audit Manager in PwC London, she transitioned into corporate banking, returning to Wales to join Bank of Scotland. Over 13 years as a Relationship Director with Bank of Scotland and Santander, she built a strong network across the South Wales business community.
Her combined experience as an accountant and banker shapes her consultative, relationship‑driven approach. DJ invests time in understanding both clients and candidates, ensuring she delivers insight, honesty, and long‑term value.
Outside of work, DJ enjoys yoga, running, and catching up with her Book Club friends over a well‑earned drink.
M: 07432 089720
Maria Edwards | Associate Director
Maria has 30 years’ experience with a proven track record in Senior Finance recruitment in South Wales including interim and permanent appointments across the private and public sectors. Her career began in Cardiff with Hays PLC in 1997 where she progressed to Business Director within the senior finance team. Maria leads our interim consultancy and specialises in senior level appointments including Fractional CFO/FD placements and contract recruitment to cover critical business roles and change and transformation programmes. Her extensive experience includes recruiting for senior leadership roles across corporate services and has managed recruitment campaigns for board level appointments including both Executive and Non-Executive search.
Maria’s approach is consultative and strategic, and based on relationship-led recruitment working as a close partner and ally to her clients. Maria has developed long-lasting relationships with clients as their preferred recruitment partner, working closely with her clients to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of their businesses and resourcing requirements, which allows her to position an opportunity into a highly attractive proposition in a competitive market for talent.
Outside of work Maria has a busy family-life with her husband and 2 daughters, and is a lover of animals, music, arts and culture.
E: maria.edwards@head4talent.com
M: 07927 534317
Alex Pughe | Associate Director
Alex is a senior-level financial and C-suite recruiter with over 25 years’ experience across the London and South Wales markets. He has a particularly strong track record in placing C-suite executives within the manufacturing and technology sectors.
After studying Applied Psychology at Cardiff University, he began his recruitment career with Hays PLC before going on to work with a range of international and boutique firms, joining Head4talent in 2024.
Throughout his career, Alex has specialised in sourcing mid- to senior-level finance professionals, partnering closely with a diverse client base. His success is built on developing long-term relationships through transparent, candid communication and a consistent focus on delivery. This approach has enabled him to build an exceptional network and a strong reputation as a trusted recruitment partner.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with his family — including his wife, two teenagers, two dogs and three cats. He is a keen golfer, a fan of 80s music, an avid concertgoer and a loyal Spurs supporter.
M: 07917 367556
Sarah Gilbert | Compliance Manager
Sarah Gilbert joined Head4Talent as a PA/Executive Assistant in 2019. Her primary focus now is candidate compliance and back-office support. She loves nothing more than being planned and organised.
Originally from Kent, she moved to Wales when she was sixteen and attended Cowbridge School Sixth Form before undertaking a Business Studies Degree with a Diploma of the Institute of Marketing from (what was then) Ealing College of Higher Education. She has a background in event management and internal/employee communications and engagement across a range of industries and organisations including British Gas, BT, Welsh Development Agency, University of Glamorgan (now University of South Wales) and the Royal Mint.
When she’s not in the office, Sarah enjoys having fun and making memories with her grown-up family and spending her time away in the great outdoors with her husband in their campervan - affectionately known as ‘Bertie’.
E: sarah.gilbert@head4talent.com
M: 07759 706497
Sam Drinkwater | Executive Assistant
Born and raised in Cardiff and educated at Cardiff High School, Sam Drinkwater is the newest member of the Head4Talent team. Following a gap year in which he spent time travelling Australia, alongside working in customer service roles locally, Sam is now focused on building his experience in a business support position. In his role at Head4Talent, he supports all aspects of the resourcing and recruitment process, including diary management, database updates, and communication with clients and candidates.
Alongside his work, he is committed to further development and is currently working towards a CIM-accredited Digital Marketing qualification. Drawing on his background in customer service and hospitality, Sam is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and contributes to the team as required.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys running and music and is always seeking out new recipes to cook.
E: sam.drinkwater@head4talent.com
M: 07759 706497
Buddy | Wellness officer
Originally from Ammanford and born into a proud line of miniature schnauzers, Buddy is a distinguished black and silver with a strong sense of loyalty and an even stronger sense of snack detection.
Educated at puppy school in Lisvane, Cardiff, Buddy’s formal training may have been cut short, his ongoing CPD having taken a more “experimental” direction—but he more than makes up for it with instinctive emotional intelligence and an unwavering commitment to team wellbeing.
Buddy plays a key role in championing diversity of thought within the team. Quite literally seeing the world from a different perspective, he encourages us to slow down, stay curious, and approach challenges with fresh eyes (and occasionally, a tilted head). His presence reminds us that not all problems require a human solution—sometimes a walk, a reset, or a biscuit is the best strategy.
Motivated by companionship, praise, and the faint crinkle of a treat packet, Buddy is always ready to lift spirits and bring people together. He has a natural talent for reading the room, stepping in when energy dips and ensuring no one goes too long without a break or a smile.
Buddy prefers face-to-face (or walk-and-talk) communication.