About Neil
Before Recruitment
I grew up in Walsall in the West Midlands and was fortunate to attend an excellent local grammar school. My parents had moved up from the South East in the mid-1970s, bringing with them a strong work ethic that I absorbed early.
From washing neighbour's cars and cleaning brass doorsteps to delivering newspapers and working night shifts in a supermarket from the age of 16.
I’ve never been afraid of hard work.
That mindset has never left me.
I studied Human Geography at Aberystwyth, where I also cemented two lifelong allegiances......
Chelsea (loyal through the difficult years of the 80s and 90s)
And an interest in leadership, politics and global affairs.
**A small claim to fame: interviewing former Chelsea Chairman Ken Bates as part of my dissertation.**
Career
I began my career in recruitment in 2000 and moved into executive search a year later with the European division of a major US-listed headhunting firm. Between 2006 and 2018, I worked for two leading boutique search firms before founding Wilson Brook in December 2018.
Why start my own firm? Because I believed executive search could and should be done better.
Too often, I saw short-termism.
Volume over value.
KPIs over people.
Decisions made for fee income rather than long-term relationships.
That never sat comfortably with me.
Executive search carries real responsibility. You are influencing people’s careers, their families’ futures, and the trajectory of entire businesses. That demands rigour, honesty, courage and accountability.
Wilson Brook was built to be the gold standard in board, director and senior management recruitment within our chosen sectors. Thorough search. Direct headhunting. Proper referencing. Cultural alignment. Transparent commercials. Long-term partnership.
No shortcuts.
No database trawling dressed up as search.
No conflicts of interest.
No compromise on standards.
Beyond Work
Outside of work, life is full.
My wife is a midwife and does an extraordinary job in a profession that demands resilience, compassion and relentless commitment — often while the rest of us are celebrating holidays or sleeping. Watching her dedication only reinforces my respect for people who truly serve others. We have four children, which guarantees energy, noise and perspective in equal measure.
Sport has always been important to me. I’m a Northampton Saints season ticket holder (having previously been a Wasps supporter) and used to coach the minis at my children’s rugby club — one of the most rewarding leadership experiences you can have. There’s nothing quite like helping young people grow in confidence and resilience. I also follow cricket closely and remain a long-standing Chelsea supporter. I train early most mornings in my home gym, regularly take part in Parkrun, and play squash and badminton.
Exercise is non-negotiable for me — it sharpens thinking and builds resilience.
Away from sport, I love music, theatre, live gigs and concerts. I enjoy walking in the countryside, visiting historical monuments, and exploring the stories that have shaped our country. History, global politics, psychology, business culture and leadership remain constant interests, and I read as widely as time allows.
I also enjoy cooking and baking — which justifies the early morning training.
Faith is important to me and my family. We are practising Catholics, and that grounding influences how I try to lead: with integrity, accountability and respect.
Every search we do is led by our own experienced consultants
Imogen Pearson
Imogen Pearson
Imogen Pearson
Hi, I’m Imogen, a people-focused recruitment professional with over 10 years’ experience and a strong background in sales. I specialise in recruiting senior-level appointments, typically from Director through to CEO, across the Hire and HVAC sectors within the building materials and construction industry.
I bring a consultative, honest, an
Hi, I’m Imogen, a people-focused recruitment professional with over 10 years’ experience and a strong background in sales. I specialise in recruiting senior-level appointments, typically from Director through to CEO, across the Hire and HVAC sectors within the building materials and construction industry.
I bring a consultative, honest, and results-driven approach to recruitment, taking pride in helping businesses identify and attract top-tier talent while ensuring each placement is a strong, long-term fit. My commercial experience across a wide range of sectors gives me the insight and agility to understand both businesses and people, no matter the challenge.
Originally from Suffolk, I studied Forensic Science at college and went on to join the police — a role I absolutely loved. That experience shaped my approach to communication, problem-solving, and working under pressure, and continues to inform the way I connect with clients and candidates today.
Since moving to Yorkshire in 2015, I’ve continued to build my career while raising my wonderful son, Rupert. I’m also an identical twin, which perhaps explains my strong instincts for collaboration and connection.
When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me with a strong coffee in hand, listening to heavy metal (I’m a big Sleep Token fan), or trying to keep my mischievous sphynx cat from interrupting video calls!
If you’re looking to connect about recruitment, senior-level career moves, or just fancy a chat over a (virtual) coffee, I’m always happy to hear from you.
Jonny Pegler
Imogen Pearson
Imogen Pearson
Hi I'm Jonny, like many, I initially “fell into” recruitment in my early twenties, thinking it might be a straightforward way to earn good money. The reality was very different, but despite the challenges, it’s a career I’ve grown to enjoy genuinely. Prior to Wilson Brook I gained experience within the Construction, Industrial and Trans
Hi I'm Jonny, like many, I initially “fell into” recruitment in my early twenties, thinking it might be a straightforward way to earn good money. The reality was very different, but despite the challenges, it’s a career I’ve grown to enjoy genuinely. Prior to Wilson Brook I gained experience within the Construction, Industrial and Transport, Hospitality, and Commercial recruitment sectors , which gave me a strong commercial grounding and a clear understanding of how different businesses operate and where leadership adds real value.
I joined Wilson Brook in 2023 and specialising in senior management and board-level appointments within the building materials and construction products sector.
I'm driven by building strong, professional relationships and collaborating with exceptional individuals. Clients value my ability to quickly understand their commercial priorities and succession requirements, while candidates benefit from clear communication, market insight, and honest guidance throughout the process.
Away from work, I am happily married with three young children: a four-year-old daughter and one-year-old identical twin boys. Life is busy, but in the best possible way. I’m a keen sports enthusiast and a lifelong Newcastle United supporter. I also enjoy cricket, keeping a close eye on Somerset CCC and England in all formats. Alongside sport, I enjoy good TV series, films, and listening to music across all genres.
If you are planning a senior or board-level hire, considering your next leadership move, or would like to have a confidential conversation, then do not hesitate to reach out and connect.
Matt Lambert
Imogen Pearson
Matt Lambert
Hi I'm Matt, I'm a Senior Executive Search Consultant at Wilson Brook, where I've been part of the journey for the past five years — joining as the first team member hired by our founder, Neil Holloway. I specialise in board and senior-level recruitment across the Logistics, Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms (KBB), and Building Materials & C
Hi I'm Matt, I'm a Senior Executive Search Consultant at Wilson Brook, where I've been part of the journey for the past five years — joining as the first team member hired by our founder, Neil Holloway. I specialise in board and senior-level recruitment across the Logistics, Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms (KBB), and Building Materials & Construction sectors, partnering with growth-driven businesses across the UK and Europe.
With a strong focus on roles such as Managing Director, Commercial Director, Operations & Supply Chain Director, Sales Director, and other key leadership positions, I work closely with owners, investors, and leadership teams to help them attract and secure the talent they need to scale and evolve. Clients value my open, honest approach and my ability to build long-term relationships that deliver results beyond the short term.
Prior to joining Wilson Brook, I worked in the logistics industry, gaining first-hand insight into the sector's challenges and opportunities. Earlier in my career, I worked as a personal trainer, where I developed the discipline, communication skills, and client-first mindset that continue to underpin my work today.
I live in Worcester with my wife of 17 years and our three amazing (and constantly energetic) children, aged 13 to 1. I'm passionate about sport, gym activities, and getting away to ski whenever possible.
I also enjoy spending time outdoors with our loyal black Labrador, Bella, exploring the Malvern Hills or the Lake District, and catching up with friends — whether over a quiet drink or a hike in the hills.