CTRL+ALT+LEAD: Navigating the Future of Leadership in the Digital Age
Following on from our last thought leadership event where over 60 national CEOs met at the Institute of Contemporary Art to discuss our What3Words Leadership report, we’re delighted to announce our new project for 2025. Titled, Ctrl + Alt + Lead: Navigating the Future of Leadership in the Digital Age, our new report will explore what the future holds for the fast-evolving world we are leading in, and what this will mean for shifting leadership qualities.
In an era where artificial intelligence and digital transformation redefine the way we work, lead, and grow, Starfish is at the forefront of these changes. Our newest research will deep dive into how AI is reshaping the expectations and qualities of effective leadership. We’ll discover how leaders can leverage technology to foster innovation, inclusivity, and adaptability, while maintaining the human touch that makes leadership meaningful.
We’re honoured to have the support of an additional cohort of leading influential organisations active in the Invention, Innovation and Tech & AI space, each adding their unique perspective on the opportunities and complexities that lie ahead for all of us.
It’s quick to take part. To submit your entry, which will be included in our report scheduled for completion this Autumn, all you need to do is complete the three questions in the form at the link here – CTRL ALT LEAD application form.. As we expect a high volume of entries, we’re keeping word count limited and will produce an analysis of your responses on completion.
When ready, please send your entry to thefutureholds@starfishsearch.com.
Celebrating New Leadership: Announcing Starfish Search’s 2025 Promotions
At Starfish Search, we believe in the transformative power of skilled and principled individuals to shape successful organisations. We are therefore delighted to announce the promotion of four exceptional colleagues, each of whom exemplifies our values of integrity, professionalism, and inclusive leadership.
Webinar Recap: Navigating Recruitment in the AI Age with PPMA
Starfish Search recently partnered with the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) to deliver a timely and thought-provoking webinar: “Navigating Recruitment in the AI Age.” Our own Sunita Patel was joined by Jason Makepeace from GovCats to explore how artificial intelligence is already reshaping recruitment, leadership, and workforce planning across the public sector. If you missed the session, the full webinar is available to watch here.
Lorraine Payne Named Among Top 10 Interim Consultants in the 2025 IIM Awards
We are incredibly proud to share that Lorraine Payne, Partner at Starfish Search, has once again been recognised by the Institute of Interim Management (IIM) as one of the UK’s top interim consultants, securing a place in the Top 10 for 2025. This honour, based entirely on feedback from interim managers themselves, celebrates the individual consultants who go beyond the brief — those who listen carefully, understand deeply, and deliver consistently for the interims and organisations they support.
ACCREDITATIONS


ESPO is a public sector owned professional buying organisation (PBO), specialising in providing a wide range of goods and services to the public sector for over 40 years. Starfish Search has been awarded a place on ESPO’s Strategic HR Services framework (3S). Services we offer under the framework include: Lot 1, Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment Lot 2, Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment.


Starfish are proud to be certified Disability Confident Committed. This scheme provides employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace.


Crown Commercial Service supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2020/21, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits equal to £2.04bn - supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers. Starfish Search has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Executive and Non-Executive recruitment. Services we offer under the framework include: Lot 3 - Non-Executive and Public Appointments.


Bloom, launched in 2012 is the UK’s leading marketplace for professional services. They provide an end-to-end solution for the procurement, contract management and payment of all professional services, via the compliant NEPRO³ framework. Their public sector clients have access to 20 professional services categories and over 4500 accredited suppliers. Bloom provides swift routes to market via either direct award or mini competition. Starfish is an accredited supplier to BLOOM; our services can be accessed via this framework - Executive and Non-Executive Search and Interim Management.
Join the starfish team
We hire people who bring insight, integrity and ambition to their work. If you’re ready to contribute to shaping the future of leadership and you want to explore our current opportunities please get in touch.