This month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Claire Butcher, Client Partner at Pacific International Executive Search. Claire joined the business seven years ago, initially in our London, UK office. Since then, she has worked on more than 195 high-profile, strategically important search mandates, successfully placing senior-level leaders globally. While Ellie LaFountain, whom we featured last month on these pages, moved from Philadelphia to London, Claire relocated from London to Philadelphia, PA, where our US office is, three years ago. She continues to build strong client relationships, deliver exceptional results, and expand her leadership skills on that side of the Atlantic. Her career journey is yet another example of growth opportunities that come with being part of Pacific International’s team.
Let’s start with the quickfire questions:
Coffee or tea?
I’m English, so tea obviously.
Any particular tea – builder’s tea, spicy chai or herbal?
I do like an Earl Grey. Brewed for about two minutes, a dash of milk, and I’ve started to add honey now as a healthy alternative to sugar, and it actually works really well, though I do get some strange looks.
Early bird or night owl?
It’s strange how the shift happened in my 30s – straight to early bird. I was such a night owl before, and now I’m all about the early mornings. I’d rather have a good morning than a good night.
Lying by the pool or going on hikes?
I do enjoy a hike, but if I had to pick one for the rest of my life, it would be lying by the pool. I like a good walk, though, it just doesn’t have to be an upward hike.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I’ve thought about this a lot. It’s nothing crazy, I’d love my own English countryside cottage when I’m retired.
Your go-to productivity hack?
I can get into a slump when I’m too attached to my laptop, and I’ve barely moved for two hours. I used to be a teacher, and I found that when kids moved more, their work improved. I applied that to my adult brain and noticed that taking small, regular breaks, such as catching up with a colleague or getting a cup of tea or coffee, helps me stay on track and avoid procrastinating.
One Philadelphia spot you’d recommend to visiting colleagues?
It’s super cliché, but definitely the Rocky Steps. Not just because of the film, but if you go to the top, you get such a great view of the city, looking down towards City Hall.
You may be familiar with the movie In Her Shoes starring Toni Collette. I grew up watching it and loved it. When I moved here, I realised I was living just yards from where a crucial scene was filmed. Philadelphia has loads of other film settings, too, like The Sixth Sense. The restaurant Butcher and Singer and a nearby church were used as filming locations for some of the scenes. It’s really cool if you like film sightseeing.
If you weren’t in executive search, what career would you choose?
I could see myself in the police. I like being in the thick of it, so as a detective, perhaps, where all the action is.
I would have made a great vet, also. I love animals so much and want to retire with 26 dogs.
Favourite way to unwind after work?
I do go to the gym, but not to unwind. I do it before work to get it out of the way. I love it when I’m there, but I hate the idea of going. It is never as bad when I’m there, and I never regret a workout! I love my spin classes so much.
To properly unwind, I watch television when I can. I love films, and I have BritBox, so if I’m feeling homesick, I’ll watch comfort shows like The Vicar of Dibley. It’s often on in the background. I also like lighting a scented candle and just relaxing.
A British show you’ve watched recently and enjoyed?
Time, a prison drama with Sean Bean. It totally gripped me.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My mum used to say, “Life’s not fair, Claire,” whenever I complained that something wasn’t.
It taught me that you’ve got to navigate whatever’s thrown at you. Always prepare for the worst, for all situations. Life consists of challenges and good times; it’s all part of the rollercoaster.
Accepting that helped me mature, understand that we are all different and going through our own challenges, and realise that not everyone plays by the rules.
One thing colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
Princess Diana is in my bloodline. As is Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII.
From London to Philadelphia: Claire Butcher’s Journey at Pacific International
Margaret Jaouadi
What first drew you to Pacific International, and what has inspired you to stay for seven years?
Claire Butcher
I had been teaching for about five years and was getting a little tired of it. It is a very tough role, and I could not see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I also realised I had barely left the classroom and wanted to understand what else I could be good at.
I initially reached out to a group called Pareto, which specialised in sales placements, and attended one of their recruitment days. It was a long process with several stages, including informal and formal interviews, a group task, a pitch to the room, and a team challenge. Richard and David were there that day to advise Pareto and potentially spot new talent. They saw my presentation style, took an interest in me, and we started talking about their organisation.
The more I learned about Pacific International, the more interesting it became. The diversity of the role, the day-to-day work, the types of clients, and the challenges involved really appealed to me. I remember thinking, absolutely, let’s go.
Since then, it has been fascinating to see the business grow. When I first joined, the UK team was very lean, around five people. I helped with the hiring process as the team expanded, and it has been incredible to watch such a diverse and interesting group of people join and shape the UK business into what it is today.
While visiting Philadelphia to celebrate my colleague Kat’s birthday, I completely fell in love with the city. At that point in my life, apart from my family, whom I miss dearly, I had few ties, and I thought it was a now-or-never moment to take the leap and move.
The challenge was a big pull for me as well. Being sponsored to move to the US is quite rare, and getting a visa through a day-to-day role is not easy. I knew I was fortunate to have that opportunity, so I was determined to make the most of it. Learning about the US market, the different ways of working, and the types of roles here, while also seeing the Philadelphia office grow and develop, has kept things incredibly interesting for me ever since.
Margaret Jaouadi
What was the biggest adjustment you faced, and how has the experience impacted your career?
Claire Butcher
The US always felt like an amazing, fantastic playground to me as a child. I was fascinated by it from my first trip to Florida. I know Florida is just one state with its own way of doing things, but that is part of the fascination of the US. It is a vast country with 50 states, each completely different.
From a work perspective, that difference was one of the biggest challenges. When I was sourcing candidates across Europe, I noticed clear cultural differences, but the US is on another level. I had to really understand why someone would relocate to certain states and not others. There are so many factors involved, from climate and politics to finances and cost of living. Getting to grips with just how diverse the states are, and how differently people live and work within them, was a big adjustment for me.
Interestingly, I never actually considered moving abroad or imagined living so far away from my family. That was the most challenging part to come to terms with, but I knew I had to take the chance when the opportunity came up. In reality, I can visit my family just as frequently as I did when I was at university, and having them come out and experience life here with me has been really special.
On a more personal level, one of the biggest adjustments has been people’s openness and curiosity. Everyone is so excited to talk to you and understand where you are from, which is lovely, but it can also be a bit overwhelming at times. That said, I really enjoy it.
The time difference is probably the toughest practical challenge. When I finish work, my family is often already asleep, which can be difficult. Aside from that, the experience has pushed me professionally, broadened my understanding of the executive talent market, and given me a much more global perspective on my career.
Margaret Jaouadi
You are very witty, and your sense of humour really stands out. A lot of people say humour does not travel well. What do you think?
Claire Butcher
It is interesting, because my humour can be a bit self-deprecating, and I think people actually like that. It tends to land quite well, and people find it funny.
I am not really someone who leans into the crudeness that Brits are sometimes known for. That has never been my vibe.
Also, because several of my colleagues are from the UK, we can still have a laugh and joke as we always do. It is pretty funny to see the US team start adapting to our humour a little more as well.
Margaret Jaouadi
What is your most significant achievement to date, and what are you most proud of?
Claire Butcher
I did think about this one. I would say adapting to life in the US is one of my biggest achievements. I completely underestimated how difficult it would be, so I am really proud of myself for settling in and building the life I currently have.
From a career perspective, a few things stand out. Recently, I made four placements in a row with female leaders, and that felt really good. I have also developed strong relationships with clients, with one placement leading to additional roles. Building out those client relationships, earning trust, and being relied on for such critical hires has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that people come back to me because they trust how I work means a lot.
On a personal level, I ran my first official 5K. When I started training, I could not run for more than a minute, and now I can run continuously for about 35 minutes. I was never a runner and have always been more into strength training, so improving my cardio fitness like that feels like a big achievement. I am now training towards a half-marathon, which still feels a bit surreal.
Margaret Jaouadi
What part of your role as a client partner excites you the most in your day-to-day work, and would you recommend executive search as a career?
Claire Butcher
I always get so excited when one of my candidates receives an offer. I know that is universal across Pacific International, but I never get tired of it. When you have built a real rapport with someone, developed the relationship, and you know how well they match the role, it is gratifying. Opportunities at the senior level are often life-changing, and being part of that process is very rewarding.
What has been especially exciting for me is the transition from working in Europe to working in the US. The differences in ways of working across the world are fascinating. Even moving between sectors is interesting, whether you are working with candidates in finance or in industrial manufacturing. Each industry has its own nuances, and you learn to approach each role differently. Leveraging this experience and applying it to roles on a different continent, in a completely new market, has been incredibly stimulating. In my role, I work with so many different clients, and I really soak up the knowledge and experience that comes with that.
I would absolutely recommend executive search as a career, but it is not a nine-to-five job. There is nothing wrong with wanting that; it is a choice. Executive search requires flexibility, hard work, and availability for your clients and candidates. That said, the rewards are brilliant. For someone who likes to get stuck in, build relationships, and genuinely enjoys what they do, it can be an incredibly fulfilling career.
Margaret Jaouadi
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future, and what are you most excited about in the coming years?
Claire Butcher
Looking ahead, I am really excited about taking on more ownership of client relationships. It remains my focus, and the strong network I have built in a new country is a testament to those efforts. In many ways, I had to start over and almost relearn my job, and that has led to doors opening to new business opportunities within specific organisations through the relationships I have built.
I am looking forward to developing those relationships even further, opening more doors, and gaining a deeper understanding of different sectors through continued client development.
I am also very excited about helping develop the US team further and make it stronger. I have seen Pacific grow to nearly 50 colleagues today, and it has been incredible to be part of that journey. Seeing where Pacific is headed genuinely excites me.
On a personal level, I currently manage a team of two and really enjoy supporting their development and seeing their excitement as they progress in their careers. They joined me after completing their initial training, and they have built a solid foundation and understanding of the executive search process. My role is to help them take the next step by giving them greater candidate ownership, more client exposure, and greater end-to-end responsibility throughout the process. That is a part of my role I am really passionate about.
Margaret Jaouadi
Any final words?
Claire Butcher
Executive search is about people, their lives, motivations, and aspirations. It is unpredictable: no two days are the same, and the challenges are always different, which is what makes the work so engaging.
As a growing business with big ambitions, we are always on the lookout for exceptional people with diverse industry experiences to join our team. To learn more about career opportunities at Pacific International, please visit our Careers page.