Tess Smillie

Prior to Aston Fisher, Tess was Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Spotify, before which was VP HR at both Samsung Electronics and Blackberry, after starting her HR career at Microsoft. She worked and lived internationally, leading teams with responsibility for all aspects of HR. Her personal focus being people strategy, leadership team effectiveness, hiring and coaching.

Tess started her career at Goodman Graham, a technology-focused executive search firm, initially a researcher, progressing to eventually run her own division.

Tess joined Aston Fisher when stepping back from a corporate career to focus on projects she feels passionately about. One of which is making search a better experience for all; a belief she shares with James. Tess is a Partner here, specialising in technology & consumer sectors.

In addition, Tess is a career mentor and coach to business leaders, particularly women in leadership. Also working in the field of early careers; to close the skills gap and challenges of navigating between education and work, both of which need rapid evolution.

Family and friends take up an appropriately big part of her life, as does traveling and adventure bike riding (ideally both together).