Sowena Group adds firepower with two senior hires and heralds move to bigger office

By Rob Kelly

01 Sep 2025

Gemma Quaye and Beth Harris

A specialist recruitment company focused on senior finance posts in high-growth, private equity and venture capital-backed businesses has made two key hires and is moving to a larger office to accommodate its growing team.

Beth Harris and Gemma Quaye have joined Sowena Group as an associate director and head of executive research respectively.

Sowena Group, which was launched by Perran Cooke in summer 2024, now has a team of seven based in The Tootal Buildings on Oxford Street in Manchester city centre.

The company is moving to a larger Orega serviced office in The Tootal Buildings after outgrowing its previous base at the premises.

Sowena Group works closely with scaling businesses, leadership teams, corporate finance advisers, banks, investors, private equity houses and venture capital firms to recruit for chief financial officer, finance director, financial controller, head of finance and newly-qualified roles across the north west and beyond, with salaries ranging from £45,000 to £250,000.

It places candidates across numerous sectors, including retailing, technology, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, fast-moving consumer goods, e-commerce, facilities management, professional services and wholesaling.

Beth, who has moved from Simpson Judge, is spearheading Sowena’s North Manchester and Lancashire offering for roles with annual salaries of £60,000-£85,000. She is working alongside Dave Kreitz, who leads Sowena’s Manchester city centre and Cheshire offering.

Gemma was previously an executive researcher at Drax and her role at Sowena is a new function for the firm.

Perran said: “Bringing in Beth and Gemma as senior hires reflects the calibre of talent that Sowena is able to attract and the journey we are on.

“Their expertise and knowledge significantly strengthen our leadership and executive research functions and will be central to our next phase of growth.”

He added: “Over the past 12 months, we’ve expanded our team, built a solid foundation and strengthened our community of elite finance professionals across the north west.

“This is just the beginning. With a great team, I’m excited for the future of Sowena and we are looking to announce further recruits in the coming months.

“Following our recent hires, we have reached capacity in our current office and, with our headcount due to increase again before the end of the year, we need to relocate to a bigger base which will futureproof the business.

“We are thrilled to remain at Orega serviced offices in The Tootal Buildings, and our new home gives us scope to grow the team to 16.”

Beth said: “I’m excited to spearhead Sowena’s presence in North Manchester and Lancashire. Having worked in finance recruitment across the region, I know how much opportunity there is for ambitious businesses and I’m looking forward to connecting them with top-tier talent.

“I’m ambitious by nature and thrive on making things happen, so the ability to help shape the trajectory of Sowena while continuing to grow alongside it is hugely motivating.”

Gemma said: “Building a robust research function is about more than filling roles, it’s about creating insights that help clients to make the best leadership decisions.

“My experience across start-ups, in-house teams and executive search gives me a unique perspective to bring to Sowena.”

Sowena has been confirmed as the sponsors of the 'Deal of the Year' category at the Red Rose Awards 2026.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Fuuse raises further £6m as it heads to profitability COO Nik Southworth, CEO Michael Gibson, CFO Sonia Davies.

Fuuse raises further £6m as it heads to profitability

13 Oct 2025

2

Preferred developer named for strategic site Barnfield named as preferred developer for site

Preferred developer named for strategic site

13 Oct 2025

3

Warden completes hospital improvement work Warden Hospital

Warden completes hospital improvement work

13 Oct 2025

4

New planning rules for HMOs Chorley town hall

New planning rules for HMOs

13 Oct 2025

5

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin