Natasha Makhijani has built her career on resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. As the CEO and Founder of Oliver Sanderson Group PLC, an award-winning executive search firm, and the CEO of Snapp CV, a pioneering digital recruitment platform, she has become one of the most influential voices in modern recruitment and leadership.
Natasha Makhijani | CEO and Founder | Oliver Sanderson Group PLC
Her journey from starting a business at her dining room table to leading international ventures is a story of determination and the courage to do things differently. At EliteX, we are proud to have Natasha Makhijani as part of the edition: Impactful Women in Business, 2025.
Her early career was marked by rapid progress. She began at Hays on their graduate scheme, quickly rising through the ranks, before moving to Michael Page where she became the top HR biller in the UK. But Natasha was driven by a bigger vision. In 2011, she founded Oliver Sanderson with nothing but a laptop and ambition. Today, the company works with FTSE 350, Fortune 500 businesses, and SMEs, placing senior leaders who shape industries. Alongside this, she launched Snapp CV, a recruitment platform that uses AI and voice technology to make hiring simpler and more inclusive. These achievements highlight her ability to anticipate industry shifts and act boldly.
For Natasha, the inspiration to start her own business came from her belief that recruitment needed to change. Growing up in a diverse community, she saw how underrepresented groups often faced barriers in reaching leadership roles. She wanted to create an executive search firm that not only delivered results but also championed equity, diversity, and inclusion. By stepping into entrepreneurship, she was able to challenge the status quo and build a company that reflected her values of integrity, innovation, and fairness.
“Believe in yourself and your vision, even if others don’t.”
Her journey was not without challenges. Breaking into executive recruitment as a young Asian woman was difficult in an industry often dominated by traditional players. Yet Natasha turned these challenges into opportunities by building strong relationships, proving her expertise, and refusing to compromise on her vision. Her persistence and resilience not only allowed her to succeed but to lead with authority and authenticity.
Natasha’s view of leadership is rooted in empathy and empowerment. She believes leadership is about vision, but also about creating environments where people feel valued. She encourages her team to collaborate openly, share ideas, and take risks while knowing they have her support. Through initiatives like the “Stories of a C?O” podcast, she highlights the human side of leadership, showing that true leaders inspire by being authentic rather than perfect. For her, leadership is not just about the title, but the human being behind it.
Her career has also been shaped by defining moments. One milestone was winning Oliver Sanderson’s first FTSE 100 client, which proved that her firm could compete with established players. Another was launching Snapp CV, which positioned her as a leader in digital recruitment. These achievements reflect her vision of combining technology and human connection to drive progress in her industry. She sees resilience, adaptability, and authenticity as essential qualities for success in today’s business world. Leaders must stay agile while staying true to their values, and emotional intelligence is as important as strategy. Natasha believes listening, empathising, and connecting on a human level are vital for long-term impact.
Recruitment itself has changed significantly during her career. Where once it relied heavily on personal networks and in-person meetings, it is now global, data-driven, and more focused on diversity. Natasha has embraced these shifts, investing in new tools and embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into her work. Looking ahead, she sees AI and data analytics, flexible leadership roles, and stronger focus on diversity – particularly neurodiversity – as the defining trends for the future.
“Technology can streamline processes, but relationships build trust.”
Despite the growing role of technology, Natasha firmly believes that relationships remain the foundation of success. At Oliver Sanderson, innovation goes hand-in-hand with building strong client and candidate connections. She also stands out through her thought leadership, using platforms like podcasts and speaking engagements to share insights on leadership and recruitment.
Her advice to young women aspiring to leadership is simple but powerful: believe in yourself, take risks, and stay authentic. She encourages them to learn from mistakes, seek out mentors, and surround themselves with allies who will both support and challenge them. For Natasha, authenticity is non-negotiable. She believes women can and should succeed without compromising their true selves. She also stresses the importance of women supporting each other. By mentoring, sharing opportunities, and celebrating each other’s wins, women in business can amplify their collective impact. Collaboration, she says, is far more powerful than competition when it comes to driving change.
Natasha draws inspiration from her family and community, who showed her resilience and determination from a young age. Professionally, she admires leaders who combine vision with compassion, creating opportunities for others and leaving behind a positive legacy.
Balancing her demanding career with personal life is something she continues to work on. She begins her mornings with exercise to focus her energy, and she sets boundaries to ensure she makes time for family and well-being. For her, looking after health and wellness is essential to sustaining success in business. Among her many achievements, Natasha is most proud of building Oliver Sanderson into an international firm and being recognised in the Platinum Jubilee Album for contributions to UK business. But beyond the awards, she values creating opportunities for diverse leaders as one of her greatest achievements.
“I want my legacy to show that women of colour can succeed at the highest levels without compromising who they are.”
Looking to the future, Natasha hopes her legacy will be one of possibility. She wants to inspire the next generation of women in business to break barriers, embrace innovation, and lead with kindness and purpose. Her journey shows that success is not only about results, but about impact, integrity, and the courage to lead differently.