Michael Barrington-Hibbert leverages 20 years of experience in advising senior leadership teams and boards, helping to identify top talent that aligns with clients’ strategic goals. He collaborates closely with teams to create structures that foster innovation and high performance, specifically when it comes to culture redesign initiatives that ensure organizations can adapt to changing environments and secure the right leadership to thrive well into the future. He has deep, decades-long experience in talent acquisition, effective succession planning and organizational culture.
As a consultant in Spencer Stuart’s Financial Services, Board and CEO, and HR practices, as well the Leadership Advisory Services, Michael is committed to helping clients access diverse and rich talent pools that are often overlooked. This contributes to more inclusive and effective leadership teams that reflect the diverse world we live in. He has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact exceptional talent can have on a company's strategic direction and culture, and his extensive experience across various industries enables Michael to tailor his approach to the unique challenges faced by different sectors.
Unlocking potential within individuals and organizations to navigate the complexity of today’s business landscape
- Michael joined Spencer Stuart in 2024 from Barrington Hibbert Associates, where he was founder and managing partner since 2010.
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Michael was responsible for creating the global financial services practice with offices in London and New York, specializing in placing C-suite executives for publicly listed and private equity-backed organizations. He has an extensive track record of partnering with organizations to diversify their boards; his most recent engagement placed the first female and ethnic minority C-suite executive at a firm with a $40 billion valuation.
- Additionally, Michael has designed and implemented comprehensive executive coaching programmes for diverse leaders, resulting in increased internal promotions within a year — an initiative that strengthened leadership pipelines and contributed to improved employee engagement and retention rates. He is a member of the EMEA Leadership Council for the Association of Executive Search (AESC) Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
- Michael co-founded the 10,000 Interns Foundation with the mission to provide paid internships for underrepresented full-time students in the United Kingdom. By the summer of 2025, the initiative is projected to have provided 10,000 paid internships across 25 industries.
Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics (and a minor in strategic leadership) from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and subsequently earned a diploma from the Strategic Leadership Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He was awarded London’s prestigious Freedom of the City recognition and has been voted as one of the most influential Black leaders in the UK. Michael has appeared on Bloomberg News, Sky News and the BBC, along with reputable industry publications like the Financial Newsand The Times, creating content that serves as a guiding resource for the career journeys of up-and-coming talent.