We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Weldon Whitener as our Chief AI Officer and Jamie Bamforth as our Chief Technology Officer, effective today.

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The appointments formalize a partnership with AfterGen that has reshaped how we use technology and advise clients on AI transformation.

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We first engaged AfterGen in 2025, when Weldon and Jamie began advising the firm on our AI adoption and broader technology strategy. The relationship has since grown well beyond that initial brief. It has been built on shared values and a common conviction: that emerging technology can transform an industry that has historically been slow to adapt and innovate.

"At Maven, we combine the insight that comes from our proprietary data and intelligence with the inherently human elements of our advisory approach, and that is what allows us to solve our clients' most complex talent challenges. Our partnership with Weldon and Jamie, and the innovations we are building together, give us a genuine edge and allow us to deliver exceptional outcomes." - Will Hannaford, Chief Executive Officer

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As Chief AI Officer, Weldon will lead our AI strategy across the firm and the AI transformation advice we offer our clients. As Chief Technology Officer, Jamie will lead our technology function, including the continued development of our proprietary data and intelligence platform.

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The partnership has also broadened the advice we offer our clients. As financial services firms rethink their operating models around AI, we increasingly advise leadership teams on the capabilities, structures and talent that transformation requires, alongside our core executive search work.

"What drew us to Maven was a leadership team that genuinely wants to rethink how executive search is done, rather than simply adding technology around the edges. Over the past year we have seen what happens when rich proprietary data meets deep market judgment. Through our partnership, Maven can now support clients across their entire AI transformation journey. Crucially, this also puts Maven in a unique position to help clients shape the leadership, talent and organizational capabilities they need for the future, going far beyond the scope of traditional executive search." - Weldon Whitener, Chief AI Officer

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Looking ahead, Will added: "This is an incredibly exciting moment for us. We are only at the beginning of what this partnership can achieve, and with Weldon and Jamie now part of the firm, we are building a model for talent advisory that we believe will set the standard for our industry. I can't wait to see what we deliver together in the years ahead."