Following a strong trial campaign, the executive search firm has signed a new contract to amplify its inclusive leadership and neurodiversity advocacy
Executive search firm Holmes Noble has extended its partnership with The Think Tank, appointing the agency under a new contract following a successful trial campaign that raised the profile of founder and chairwoman Michelle Carson and the wider senior team.
The ongoing brief will continue to amplify the firm’s voice across national, business and HR media while cementing its reputation as a champion of inclusive, forward-thinking leadership.
Initial activity delivered impressive early results, proving the value of a strategic, targeted approach and laying the foundations for a long-term relationship. Among the standout moments was Michelle Carson’s dedicated profile in The Times, which helped position her as a prominent voice in leadership and executive search. Further coverage followed in The Sun, People Management, Management Today, HR Magazine and Business Matters, reinforcing Holmes Noble’s visibility at the heart of key industry conversations.
Why Holmes Noble chose The Think Tank
Holmes Noble initially approached The Think Tank after feeling its previous PR efforts lacked the sustained impact it was seeking. The firm wanted a more strategic, high-impact campaign to raise its media presence, not just to showcase its success in placing senior leaders, but to tell the bigger story of how it’s redefining boardroom leadership.
With a client base spanning construction, energy, defence, logistics, private equity and more, Holmes Noble is focused on bringing in broader perspectives, championing diversity at the top, and encouraging fresh thinking in leadership.
At the heart of that mission is Michelle Carson, the firm’s founder and chairwoman. A passionate advocate for inclusive leadership, she is also a leading voice on neurodiversity in the workplace; drawing on her own lived experience as a successful business leader diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life. Her openness about that journey is helping to shift perceptions of what leadership can and should look like. She is increasingly sought after for commentary on everything from skills gaps and apprenticeships to budget impacts and workforce trends, and is using her platform to push for more inclusive, future-ready leadership at the highest level.
Michelle is joined by a growing number of senior spokespeople within the business who bring their own perspectives and lived experiences to the fore. Among them is Katie Ann Poxton, who also has ADHD and autism, and brings a vital voice to conversations around neurodiversity in leadership. Katie has deep global expertise across highly specialised industrial sectors including aerospace, defence and infrastructure, further strengthening Holmes Noble’s credibility and insight across complex, regulated industries. Their combined insight underlines the depth of experience within the Holmes Noble team and the firm’s commitment to creating inclusive, representative leadership at the highest levels.
A smart, strategic start
The Think Tank’s smart yet straightforward, strategy is designed to ensure Holmes Noble is part of the national conversation, not just around executive search, but around how businesses lead, adapt and grow. A regular drumbeat of profile pieces, fast-turnaround commentary and thought leadership continues to build visibility in the right places, at the right time.
With a new contract signed for the second half of 2025, the team is working closely with Holmes Noble’s senior team to develop a new strategy to make this vibrant and dynamic organisation the go-to for executive search.
Commenting on the appointment, Henry Rubinstein, Senior Account Director at The Think Tank, said:
“In a sector where there’s a considerable amount of noise, Michelle offers a fresh perspective that rises above. She’s bold and highly intelligent with a wealth of real experience that adds authenticity to what she says, especially around neurodivergence in leadership and the need for greater representation. In just six months, the team has done an amazing job in getting her quickly recognised as a sought-after executive search leader, which is testament to securing the brief and supporting the wider Holmes Noble business on its ambitious and exciting growth path. We cannot wait to see what the next six months bring as we collaborate on developing a new, rock-solid go-to-market strategy. Watch this space!”
This win adds to The Think Tank’s growing client base in professional services — and reflects the agency’s continued focus on helping ambitious B2B brands cut through the noise.
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