A former regional managing director of executive search company PSD Group and director at financial recruitment consultancy Axon Moore has branched out on his own with a new venture.

Perran Cooke has hit the ground running with Sowena Group, focusing on recruiting for senior finance posts in high-growth and private equity and venture capital-backed businesses in the north west and London regions.

These include chief financial officers, finance directors, financial controllers and heads of finance for permanent, interim and portfolio roles across all sectors.

Perran has more than 11 years’ experience of senior and executive recruitment in finance. He was previously PSD Group’s regional MD for the north, and before that was a director and shareholder at Axon Moore and a senior consultant at Frazer John Recruitment.

He is already working on several retained assignments and is in discussions with potential investors to support his growth plans for Sowena, which means success in Cornish.

Perran hails from Cornwall and moved to the north west in 2011. Sowena is based in Prestwich, Manchester.

He said his goals are to help senior finance professionals find their next career move and to assist founders and chief executives looking to hire the best talent to power expansion for their businesses, as well as supporting private equity investors with appointments in their portfolio companies.

“Over the years I’ve worked very closely with senior leadership teams, private equity investors, corporate finance firms and boards to identify the highest calibre of individuals so that they are well-equipped for their growth journey,”

he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to build and scale several successful recruitment brands, but I feel now is the right time to use my experience, knowledge and understanding, as well as my network, to put my own stamp on the market and build an offering based around providing a high-end, tailored approach to help each client and candidate succeed in achieving their long-term goals.

“I aim to offer something different in the market, whether it is to senior, high-calibre candidates or to CEOs and founders, who often struggle around transparency within the process and the advice needed to help them make the right decisions.

“Companies want and need their new senior finance professionals to be a success and to add long-term value to their business, possibly with an exit in mind, so it is crucial we take a data-driven approach and use other techniques to find and match the right talent.

“It is also the same for candidates, who really need to understand the task in hand before deciding whether they are right for the role. These are key reasons why transparency, advice and clear goals are so important.”

Perran added:

“There has been an upsurge in market activity since 2023 and, with private equity deal volumes increasing, the need for strong operational and commercial finance leaders naturally grows.

“I have been fortunate to have secured several retained searches on day one of the business, and I am negotiating further exclusive assignments.

“My plans involve developing the business organically and evolving the brand over the coming years to help more high-growth companies by recruiting for operations, technology, sales and marketing roles, in addition to finance.

“Even at this early stage, I have a number of offers of investment on the table to support my business strategy, and I’m excited to be up and running with Sowena.”

Perran, 38, who was on Plymouth Argyle FC’s books as a teenager, worked as a finance broker before moving into recruitment. In addition to Sowena, he owns mortgage company Cooke Mortgages with his wife Michelle.

www.sowenagroup.co.uk