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.
Top Talent: Adult Social Care
Adult social care remains one of the largest and most complex challenges facing local authorities across the country.
Beyond Tradition. Leadership Reshaped.
We’re delighted to launch our new modern leadership report, Beyond Tradition. Leadership Reshaped.
Starfish shortlisted as 6th in the 2026 IIM Interim Management Survey
We are delighted to share that Starfish Search has been recognised in the latest Institute of Interim Management (IIM) Survey.
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). Please contact us to find out how we can support under this framework.
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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