Nick Purdue is a highly regarded executive search expert and insurance industry leader with decades of experience in recruitment and leadership consulting. He is best known for his work in the UK insurance sector, where he played a pivotal role in connecting top-tier talent with senior leadership roles in major insurance firms. As a co‑founder of CPB Partners LLP, an executive search firm specializing in the general insurance market, Nick has built a reputation for strategic recruitment and client-focused solutions that go beyond filling vacancies. His deep understanding of the industry, coupled with his consultative approach, has allowed him to make significant contributions to the way leadership teams are formed and developed in the insurance sector.
Early Career: A Foundation in Insurance
Nick Purdue’s career in the insurance industry began in the early 1990s when he first entered the world of brokerage. Starting out as an insurance broker, Nick quickly gained a deep understanding of the complexities of risk management, underwriting, and policy development. He worked alongside experienced professionals in the industry, learning the ins and outs of the business, from client relations to market strategy.
This early experience proved invaluable, as it gave Nick a unique perspective on the needs of insurance companies — not just from an operational standpoint, but from a leadership perspective as well. The insight he gained into the inner workings of insurance companies would lay the groundwork for his future career in executive search and talent acquisition.
Nick Purdue Transition to Executive Search: CPB Partners LLP
After spending several years working in the brokerage and insurance fields, Nick transitioned into executive search, where he would truly make his mark. In 2011, Nick co‑founded CPB Partners LLP, an executive search firm that focuses on finding and placing top talent in leadership roles within the general insurance market. The company was founded with the goal of delivering high-quality, tailored recruitment solutions for clients in the insurance sector.
CPB Partners was established with a clear vision: to create a consultative approach to recruitment that focused not just on filling a position, but on ensuring that the right leaders were placed in key roles where they could drive the success of their companies. This approach set CPB Partners apart from other search firms, and quickly earned the company a reputation for strategic placement and long-term talent solutions.
As a co‑founder of CPB Partners, Nick Purdue played an instrumental role in building the firm’s reputation and expanding its influence in the insurance market. His deep understanding of the industry, combined with his ability to match leaders with organisations, made him a trusted advisor to many of the UK’s most prominent insurance firms.
Nick Purdue The Role of CPB Partners in the Insurance Market
Under Nick’s leadership, CPB Partners LLP became one of the leading executive search firms in the UK, specialising in insurance recruitment for senior leadership positions. The firm focused on board level and C-suite placements, helping companies find the right talent to drive strategic goals in underwriting, actuarial services, claims, and operations. Nick’s ability to understand both the business strategy and the cultural fit required for success in these roles was a key factor in the firm’s success.
CPB Partners worked with a range of clients, from small independent brokers to large multinational insurers, offering a broad spectrum of leadership solutions. Whether a company was looking for a new CEO, a CFO, or a director of underwriting, CPB Partners was known for its ability to match the right person with the right company.
One of the hallmarks of Nick’s work was his focus on succession planning. He recognised that effective leadership in the insurance industry requires more than just hiring for a vacancy — it requires long-term strategic thinking about the future needs of the organisation. Through his work with CPB Partners, Nick helped companies plan for future leadership transitions, ensuring that they had the right talent pipeline to sustain growth and navigate industry changes.
Nick Purdue Approach to Executive Search
Nick Purdue’s approach to executive search is deeply rooted in his understanding of both people and business strategy. He takes a highly consultative approach, working closely with clients to understand not only the technical requirements of a role but also the cultural fit and leadership style that would best serve the company’s long‑term objectives.
Rather than simply matching a candidate to a role, Nick’s philosophy is to build relationships with clients and candidates alike. He believes in placing leaders who are not just qualified for the role but who will adapt to the culture of the company and bring a strategic vision that aligns with the organisation’s goals.
His reputation in the industry is built on integrity and a commitment to client success, and he is known for offering honest advice about leadership transitions, talent gaps, and the future direction of insurance companies. His ability to think strategically and place candidates in roles where they can make a lasting impact has made him a trusted partner for many firms in the insurance sector.
Impact on the Insurance Industry
Nick’s influence extends beyond executive search. His work has helped shape the leadership landscape of the UK’s insurance market, ensuring that firms have the right leaders in place to navigate industry challenges. He has also contributed to industry thought leadership, writing about trends in insurance recruitment, talent management, and leadership development.
Through his work at CPB Partners, Nick has helped drive diversity and inclusion in the leadership ranks of the insurance industry. By placing talented leaders from diverse backgrounds, he has worked to ensure that the insurance sector benefits from a broad range of perspectives and experiences, which is crucial for adapting to changing market conditions.
Nick Purdue’s legacy is defined by his ability to transform the way leadership talent is sourced and placed in the insurance sector. His work has not only impacted individual companies but has also helped shape the broader direction of the insurance industry, particularly in areas such as strategic leadership and succession planning.
Personal Life: Family and Public Recognition
Outside of his professional achievements, Nick Purdue is also known for his long‑term relationship with Sky News presenter Anna Botting. The couple has maintained a relatively private personal life, with Anna’s public profile often garnering attention in the media. However, Nick’s work in executive search and the insurance industry has been the primary focus of his public life, and he has remained dedicated to his work with CPB Partners and the executive search community.
Nick and Anna live in Surrey, England, and are known for their supportive family life and active participation in various social and philanthropic causes.
Nick Purdue Legacy and Future Directions
As Nick steps back from the day‑to‑day operations of CPB Partners, his legacy continues to shape the executive search and insurance leadership sectors. The firm he helped build remains a key player in the industry, and his consultative approach to recruitment has set a new standard for how leadership talent is placed in the insurance sector.
Nick’s strategic foresight, combined with his deep understanding of the insurance industry, has made him a trusted advisor to both clients and candidates. His work has transformed how companies think about leadership recruitment, and his influence continues to be felt across the industry.
Looking ahead, Nick’s contributions to succession planning and talent development will continue to inspire future generations of executive search professionals and business leaders in the insurance sector.
Conclusion
Nick Purdue is a pioneering figure in the UK executive search industry, particularly in the insurance sector. Through his work at CPB Partners LLP, he has helped companies navigate leadership transitions, identify and place top talent, and develop strategic leadership teams capable of driving long‑term success. His contributions to the industry have made a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to influence the way executive search is conducted in the insurance market for years to come.
Whether working with clients on succession planning, diversity and inclusion, or leadership development, Nick’s influence remains profound in the field of executive search, and he continues to be an important figure in shaping the future of the UK insurance industry.