Recognized as one of the most influential Black British Leaders by the Financial Times, Michael Barrington Hibbert’s career spans two decades and four continents (Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa).

Michael is the founder and global managing partner for executive search and advisory firm Barrington Hibbert Associates Financial Services Practice. With a global track record in primary and secondary banking appointments covering both the buy and sell sides, he has advised multiple FTSE 100 firms over the years. Michael also leads the firm’s diversity and inclusion practice.

Michael began his career at Morgan Stanley in New York, before moving back to the UK five years later to begin a career in the executive search industry. He still maintains a strong US presence and splits his time between BHA’s London and New York offices.

Along with his executive search expertise, Michael is passionate about social impact. He co-founded 10,000 Black interns; an initiative designed to help transform the prospects of young Black people in the United Kingdom by offering paid work experience across a wide range of sectors. The initiative provides training and development opportunities, as well as creating a sustainable cycle of mentorship and sponsorship for the Black community.

Michael is also one of a group of cross-sector leaders from across the financial and professional services industry that as of March 2021 has been appointed to the Government-backed City of London Corporation Socio-Economic taskforce. The taskforce seeks to increase socio-economic diversity at senior level across the UK. Challenging the continued lack of progression for those from non-professional backgrounds, the task force will also explore how this intersects with other facets of diversity including gender, race, and ethnicity.

In 2022, in recognition of his services to promote executive search and diversity within Financial and Professional Services, Michael was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.