Search & Advisory

We bring 15 years of sector expertise and a proven record in executive search and advisory for renewable energy investors, private equity, and operating platforms. Our work covers the full investment lifecycle from platform creation and market entry to operational scale and exit preparation.

Through leadership search, compensation benchmarking, and organisational advisory, we support clients in building resilient teams, strengthening decision-making, and enabling long-term performance across the energy transition.

Knowledge. Network. Reach

We draw on deep industry insight, an international viewpoint, and a trusted network spanning renewable energy investors, private equity, and operating platforms. This perspective allows us to interpret market conditions, competitive pressures, and investor expectations and to pinpoint the leadership structures that enable organisations to perform at their best.

With a long track record of specialist work in renewable infrastructure, we deliver focused, research-driven search support that expands organisational capability and helps businesses evolve and respond to the demands of the energy transition.

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Search Built for Impact

We appoint leaders whose capabilities align directly with your investment priorities, culture, and long-term direction. Our advisory-driven search process integrates behavioural evaluation, technical assessment, and psychometric insight to give you a clear, evidence-based understanding of candidate suitability and leadership potential.

Each appointment is engineered for impact elevating leadership effectiveness, strengthening delivery, and supporting the critical milestones that define success across the investment lifecycle.

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Leadership Appointments

Board

We appoint board leaders who strengthen governance, create value, and guide platforms through growth and transition.

C-Suite

We appoint C-Suite leaders who drive value creation, operational excellence, and platform growth.

Leadership Team

We identify and develop the next generation of leaders who build resilient, high-performing platforms.

BU Leaders

We appoint business unit leaders with the technical depth and commercial acumen to de-risk delivery and drive performance.

Specialist & Embedded Search

Niche Search

We deliver niche searches with precision and pace, connecting clients to specialised talent across the renewable infrastructure value chain.

Outsourced Partnership

We provide outsourced search partnerships that streamline multi-hire and scale-up projects across portfolios, ensuring consistency, speed, and quality.

Advisory

Assessment

We use psychometric insight to predict leadership performance, reduce hiring risk, and strengthen decision-making.

Board Composition

We advise on board composition to strengthen governance, enhance diversity, and align leadership with strategic priorities.

Compensation

We provide data-driven compensation insight to align leadership incentives, attract top talent, and support long-term value creation.

Market Entry

We deliver market entry insight through targeted benchmarking and competitor analysis to inform investment and expansion decisions.

Process Improvement

We streamline hiring processes to enhance efficiency, consistency, and performance across portfolios and platforms.

“Our work helps shape the future of energy and the environment by connecting exceptional talent with the platforms driving real change.”

Eduardo Martinez, Associate Director

Rhys William

Principal

Rhys leads search execution at Walter Hewitt, specialising in senior and specialist appointments across Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Grid Infrastructure. He partners with infrastructure funds, private equity investors, and independent power producers across Europe and the U.S., delivering leadership and technical talent that enable grid stability, flexibility, and energy transition goals.

Recognised for his precision and depth of market understanding, Rhys combines detailed sector intelligence with a tailored, data-led search methodology. He enables clients to secure the expertise and leadership required to deliver complex projects with confidence and precision.

Finley Walters

Practice Lead - Renewables & Infrastructure Legal Search

Finley leads Walter Hewitt’s Renewable Energy Legal Search Practice, partnering with independent power producers, infrastructure funds, private equity investors, and law firms to build high-performing legal teams across Europe and emerging markets.

With a foundation in law and experience spanning the full search lifecycle, Finley combines legal acumen with search expertise to deliver counsel and leadership talent who create strategic value. His work covers project development, M&A, regulatory compliance, contracts, and corporate governance, advising clients on the legal capabilities needed to enable growth, manage risk, and ensure operational integrity.

Finley is trusted by both in-house and private practice clients for his measured, insight-led approach and his ability to align legal strategy with organisational and investment objectives across the renewable infrastructure landscape.

James Cooper

Non-Executive Director

James was appointed Non-Executive Director of Walter Hewitt at the end of 2023. He is responsible for working closely with the leadership team to develop the company’s corporate, operational and client strategies.  James is a Director of the coaching and leadership business D3 Partnership, he sits on the Board of Trustees for the Lloyd’s Benevolent Fund and since 2016 has been the Founder and Managing Director of Damhurst, a leading executive search firm in the global insurance market.

Matthew Riley

Founder & Managing Partner

With over two decades in Search, Matthew Riley is the Founder and Managing Partner of Walter Hewitt. He leads Walter Hewitt’s strategic direction and client relationships, advising investors and operating platforms on leadership appointments, organisational design, and board composition.

Under Matthew’s leadership, Walter Hewitt supports renewable energy investors, private equity, and operating platforms through mandates that strengthen organisational capability, support platform scale, and reinforce long-term performance.

Known for his deep understanding of the renewable infrastructure landscape, Matthew combines sector insight with an evidence-led, outcome-focused approach. He works closely with clients to align talent strategy with investment priorities and operational realities, helping them navigate complex markets, build resilient teams, and accelerate growth.

Having delivered mandates across Europe, U.S. and emerging markets, Matthew is recognised for identifying transformative leaders and shaping executive structures that enable sustainable progress across the energy transition.

+44 (0) 7854 156259

Eduardo Martinez

Associate Director

Eduardo oversees the execution of client mandates in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, managing projects from inception through to delivery. Together with his team, he works with infrastructure funds, private equity investors and independent power producers to identify and appoint technical, commercial and leadership talent that enables value creation and reduces execution risk.

He has successfully delivered complex and highly specialised searches across Europe and the U.S, covering functions such as Energy Management, Finance, Development and Portfolio Optimisation. Known for his analytical and insight-led approach, Eduardo supports clients in making informed hiring decisions grounded in market intelligence and sector benchmarking.

Ellie Miles

Office Manager

Ellie is Walter Hewitt’s Office Manager and provides vital operational and administrative support across the business. She ensures the smooth running of day-to-day activities and plays a key role in coordinating both internal operations and external company events.

With strong organisational skills and a collaborative approach, Ellie supports the team in maintaining the high standards of efficiency, professionalism, and client service that define Walter Hewitt. Her focus on detail and consistency helps create a well-structured, engaged, and forward-thinking working environment.

Claire Townsend

Finance

Claire provides finance support to Walter Hewitt, overseeing invoicing, client finance queries, and tax coordination. She works closely with our external accountants and advisors to ensure the business operates smoothly, efficiently, and in full financial compliance.

With a strong focus on accuracy and process, Claire plays an important role in maintaining financial discipline across the business, supporting the Walter Hewitt team in delivering a consistently high standard of service to clients and partners.