Our Specialities
About Zell
A Boutique Firm Built on Global Expertise
Zell Consulting was founded on a simple principle: exceptional leadership appointments require deep understanding of both the individual and the organisation. In a market dominated by large, process-driven firms, we offer something different – a personal, relationship-based approach backed by decades of international experience.
Our Philosophy
We believe the best executive search work happens when you truly understand the business context, cultural dynamics, and strategic challenges facing an organisation. This isn't about matching keywords on CVs – it's about identifying leaders who can drive transformation, build teams, and deliver results in complex, fast-changing environments.
Our People
Andrea Lowndes
Founder & Principal Consultant
With over three decades of international executive search and leadership advisory experience, Andrea brings unique insight into the intersection of global finance, emerging markets, and transformational talent strategies.
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Andrea's career began in London's financial services with F&C Asset Management (now BMO AM) before moving to Rio de Janeiro with Banco Pactual (now BTG). In 1996, she transitioned into executive search with Korn Ferry International, later holding senior roles with leading boutique firms across New York, London, and Madrid.
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Her expertise spans financial services, private equity, and alternative asset management, with particular strength in finance, operations, and regulatory-driven functions. Andrea also led global talent acquisition for a blockchain-backed payments start-up in Switzerland, building leadership teams across multiple disciplines.
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Qualifications: BA in Economics (Bryn Mawr College), Certified Executive Coach, Adviser at IE Business School.
Languages: Fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
Our approach combines:
Deep sector knowledge across Financial Services, FinTech, Consulting, and Private Equity with personal relationships developed over years and integrated solutions that combine executive placement with organisational expertise.
Our Strategic Partnerships
Susan Bellingan-Fourie
People & Culture Consultant
Susan is an internationally experienced People & Culture leader who is passionate about improving and accelerating engaged employee approaches to ensure businesses win against market challenges. She is experienced in transformational responsibilities in a variety of corporate and private settings, across multiple industry types.
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As a Chartered Psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society, Susan has worked in senior Human Resources roles in the UK, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Spain and South Africa, specialising in Talent Management, Inclusion & Diversity.
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Starting as a Private Psychologist and Consultant in South Africa, Susan then moved to Dubai in 2005, where she was engaged in leading talent assessment, development and change management approaches across the entire employee life-cycle, delivered in the Middle East, North & Central Africa. Her career progressed to corporate Regional & Global Talent roles in FMCG, Technology and Industry. Susan’s strength lies in working in a multi-cultural environment and building strong relationships to effect win-win outcomes for businesses and individuals alike.
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Susan has an M.A (Counselling Psychology) cum laude degree with additional qualifications in a broad array of psychometrics, Human Resources certifications, coaching, talent assessment & development and communication. She works with senior clients in English and Afrikaans, adding Spanish and German as needed. Susan is a well-known facilitator of training for teams and leadership groups with deep expertise in personality, assessment & development topics.
Blue Danube Executive Search
DACH
Blue Danube Executive Search are a like-minded, customer-focused search firm based in Vienna, Austria.
Our partnership with them extends our reach across the German, Austrian and Swiss markets while maintaining our boutique, relationship-focused approach for seamless pan-European leadership support.
Why Boutique Matters​
While global search firms offer resources and brand recognition, we deliberately remain focused and personal. This means direct access to senior decision-makers, personal accountability for every search outcome, flexibility to adapt to your unique requirements, and continuity in relationships spanning multiple appointments over years.
Our Commitment
Every search we undertake is backed by our personal commitment to finding not just the right candidate, but the right leader for your specific context. We invest time understanding your business, culture, and strategic objectives because exceptional executive search requires nothing less.
