Nick Purdue – From Insurance Broker to Leading Executive Headhunter in the UK
The Story of Nick Purdue
Nick Purdue is a highly regarded British professional whose career journey spans over three decades across the London insurance market and the executive search industry. Known for his honesty, professionalism, and strategic mindset, Nick Purdue has become a respected figure in the field of general insurance resourcing. Based in West Horsley, Surrey, he is best known for co-founding CPB Partners LLP, an executive search firm that brought a new level of transparency and integrity to the recruitment process within the insurance and financial sectors.
His story reflects a blend of technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and people-centred leadership. With more than 35 years of professional experience, Nick Purdue’s legacy continues to influence both the insurance and recruitment industries in the UK and Europe.
Early Life and Education
Academic Background and Early Development
Nick Purdue received his education at Salesian School, where he studied from 1978 to 1983. The values of discipline, teamwork, and ambition instilled during his school years would later shape his professional ethics. His education provided the foundation for his strong communication skills and analytical thinking, which became essential in his later executive roles.
Growing up with a keen interest in both business and interpersonal relations, Nick Purdue was drawn to industries that demanded precision, trust, and negotiation — qualities that aligned perfectly with the dynamic nature of the insurance market.
Early Career in the London Market
Learning the Craft of Insurance Broking
Nick Purdue began his professional career in 1987 as a Broker at Alwen Hough Johnson Limited, one of the well-known names in the London market. Over the next several years, he honed his skills in market analysis, client servicing, and risk management. His first role gave him a comprehensive understanding of how the insurance ecosystem operates from both commercial and customer perspectives.
In 1991, he joined Steel Burrill Jones Plc, where he continued his work as a broker for nearly five years. During this period, he built a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and in-depth knowledge of the insurance landscape. The thirteen years Nick Purdue spent as a broker across two major London firms equipped him with an exceptional grasp of underwriting, claims handling, and corporate insurance operations. These experiences became the bedrock for his later success in executive search.
Transition into Executive Search and Recruitment
Expanding Horizons and Building Networks
After more than a decade in broking, Nick Purdue made a pivotal career shift towards executive recruitment — a transition that combined his industry expertise with his passion for connecting people and opportunities. In 2001, he joined Mansion House Executive Ltd as a consultant, quickly establishing himself as a trusted adviser who understood both client and candidate perspectives.
His success led him to roles with Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS) from 2004 to 2005 and later as a Senior Consultant at Mansion House Executive again from 2006 to 2009. At these firms, he refined his abilities in leadership assessment, senior talent acquisition, and strategic workforce planning. His natural communication skills and technical insurance background enabled him to bridge the gap between corporate strategy and human potential effectively.
From 2009 to 2011, he joined Kinsey Allen International, formerly known as the GRS Group. Here, Nick Purdue worked on high-profile executive search assignments across the general insurance sector, enhancing his understanding of the European market and deepening his network of industry leaders.
Founding CPB Partners LLP – A Vision of Integrity
Creating a Transparent and Flexible Business Model
In June 2011, Nick Purdue co-founded CPB Partners LLP with his colleagues Simon Clark and Gerard Bland. The trio shared a vision to create an executive resourcing firm based on transparency, flexibility, and trust. Their mission was to challenge conventional recruitment norms and offer clients and candidates a bespoke, honest, and professional service.
At CPB Partners, Nick Purdue led the General Insurance practice, managing executive search and senior resourcing across the UK and Europe. His specialism included market-facing and technical underwriting, broking, and claims roles. His ability to connect senior leaders with the right organisations helped numerous insurers and brokers build stronger, more effective teams.
Nick’s philosophy centred around partnership and long-term collaboration rather than transactional recruitment. His name became synonymous with ethical headhunting, and many in the industry valued his discretion, insight, and results-driven approach.
Nick Purdue’s Specialisms and Leadership Style
Expertise Rooted in Experience
Nick Purdue’s work primarily focused on the UK personal lines, commercial, corporate, multinational, and affinity insurance markets. He believed that successful executive resourcing required more than matching qualifications to job descriptions — it required understanding company culture, leadership fit, and long-term vision.
Colleagues describe him as meticulous, fair, and approachable. His leadership style encourages open communication, teamwork, and professionalism, setting a positive example for others in the business. He mentored younger consultants, sharing insights from his years in both broking and recruitment, helping them navigate the complexities of the industry with integrity.
Departure from CPB Partners LLP
A Decade of Achievement
After a decade of contribution, CPB Partners announced in 2021 that Nick Purdue had left the company. The firm publicly acknowledged his dedication, stating:
“We recently celebrated our 10-year anniversary as a business and also used the occasion to say farewell to Nick Purdue, who has now left the company. Gerard and I are proud to have run CPB Partners LLP for the last decade and thank all of our clients for their continued support.”
This farewell marked the end of an era for CPB Partners, which Nick helped to establish and grow into one of the UK’s respected executive search firms within the insurance and pensions markets.
Personal Life and Interests
Family and Private Life
Outside his professional achievements, Nick Purdue lives in Surrey and maintains a low-profile personal life. He is in a long-term partnership with Anna Botting, the acclaimed Sky News presenter. The couple met in the French Alps in 2007, when Nick was working as a ski instructor. Together they have two children – a daughter, Gracie (2012), and a son born in 2015.
Despite Anna’s public career and Nick’s professional prominence, they are known for keeping their family life private and grounded, valuing discretion and balance over publicity.
Estimated Age and Legacy
Born in July 1966, Nick Purdue is approximately 59 years old as of 2025. His longevity in the insurance and recruitment industries highlights his resilience and adaptability. Over nearly forty years, he has transformed from a young broker navigating the London market to a respected entrepreneur and thought leader.
Nick Purdue’s legacy is defined by ethics, expertise, and excellence. He remains an influential figure in executive search, admired for his ability to blend technical understanding with genuine human insight.
FAQs
1. Who is Nick Purdue?
Nick Purdue is a British insurance headhunter and business professional best known as a founding partner of CPB Partners LLP, a specialist executive search firm in the general insurance sector.
2. Is Nick Purdue married to Anna Botting?
Nick Purdue is not officially married to Sky News presenter Anna Botting. They are long-term partners and have been together since 2007.
3. Does Nick Purdue have children?
Yes. Nick Purdue and Anna Botting have two children — their daughter Gracie, born in 2012, and a son born in 2015.
4. What does Nick Purdue do for a living?
Nick Purdue works as a headhunter and insurance recruitment specialist. He co-founded CPB Partners LLP in 2011, leading senior executive search and resourcing assignments across the UK and Europe.
5. Where do Nick Purdue and Anna Botting live?
Nick Purdue and Anna Botting live together in Surrey, England, balancing family life with their successful professional careers in recruitment and broadcasting.
Conclusion – A Career Built on Trust and Leadership
Nick Purdue’s journey illustrates how integrity, experience, and innovation can define a successful career. From his early days in broking to co-founding CPB Partners LLP, he has demonstrated unwavering professionalism and a commitment to helping others succeed. His work has left a lasting mark on the general insurance sector and continues to inspire professionals in both insurance and recruitment across the UK.
Through dedication, knowledge, and genuine care for his craft, Nick Purdue stands as a model of leadership — proving that in business, as in life, trust and transparency are the most valuable assets of all.
