Sam Clark

Director – Executive Search
Reward & Payroll

Sam leads Oakleaf Partnership’s Reward, HR Analytics, HR Technology and Payroll divisions with an operational focus on Reward leadership assignments.

Following her graduation from University of Nottingham in 2012 and gaining a BA Joint honours in French and Hispanic studies, Sam spent her early career partnering with financial services firms for a well-known global recruitment business. Her keen interest in people and human resources led her to join Oakleaf Partnership in 2016 and focus on HR generalist appointments before moving into Oakleaf’s specialist Reward team and leading their interim division. In 2019, Sam stepped up to lead the reward team for Oakleaf and in 2022 was promoted to Director of Reward and Payroll.

Sam leads on top level reward interim assignments with core specialist knowledge areas in remuneration committee, executive remuneration, total reward, benefits & pensions, reward governance & risk management, and global mobility in UK and European markets. She has built a strong reputation for her strong interim network and knowledge in interim management whilst partnering with UK and global PLCs to PE/VC backed and privately owned businesses. She takes time to understand the complexities and nuance of each project and client and advise on the best way of position these assignments to attract the best talent.  

In her personal time, Sam loves to travel and enjoys the culinary delights Europe has to offer. She lived in Granada, Paris and the south of France during her studies but now regularly will book city breaks to new destinations. Whilst at home, she can often be found in the parks of South London with her Irish Setter Ralph.