Usma Collins
Usma transitioned into executive search following a distinguished 20-year career in the not-for-profit sector. She has since expanded her expertise to the global executive search arena, gaining valuable experience in the independent schools and private sector.
As a Consultant, Usma has been instrumental in facilitating successful executive and board appointments for social enterprises, private business and non-profit organisations. Her achievements include leading board and executive appointments for purposeful businesses, as well as national and local charities.
Usma is deeply committed to delivering personalised search solutions, with a particular focus on the Third Sector. This aligns closely with her core values and passion for making a meaningful impact.
Educated in Social Policy at Loughborough University, Usma brings her expertise to community roles beyond her professional work. She serves as a dedicated school governor with a focus on safeguarding and has held Trustee and committee positions with the largest social housing provider and a grant-awarding foundation.
2025 Budget
We wrote to 400 leaders to ask them for a reaction to last week’s Budget. Here’s what they said.
Funding Crises and the Search for Financially Resilient Leaders
Councils in England are under systemic strain. The Bennett School of Public Policy estimates a collective funding gap of £9.3 billion over the next few years, with most authorities forecast to operate in deficit. Meanwhile, Grant Thornton warns that up to 40% of councils could face financial failure within five years without new income or deeper cuts.
Statutory Officers Under Pressure: Leading in a Fluctuating Political Environment
Statutory officers have always been central to the integrity and stability of local government. Today, their roles are under unprecedented strain. Political volatility, heightened scrutiny, constrained resources, and rising public expectations have created a more complex and demanding environment than ever before.
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 click the link below.
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