Linda Cuthbertson

Linda brings a bold, entrepreneurial spirit to the world of executive search. With more than two decades of experience, she has led high-stakes searches across multiple sectors, from engineering to FMCG to public enterprise — always with an eye on what’s next. She launched her own firm, Cortez Executive Search, and built it into a respected boutique brand before it was acquired by a JSE-listed group, where she continued to push boundaries in talent strategy and leadership advisory.

Her approach is straightforward: understand what drives a business, know where the best talent sits, and make the match that moves the dial. Linda’s search portfolio includes Group CEOs of multi-billion-rand companies, Board Directors for listed entities, and specialists in rare-skill disciplines where only a handful exist in the market. Her work with both private and public sector clients — including a pivotal collaboration with Dr. Sydney Mufamadi — reflects her ability to navigate complex mandates with insight and tenacity.

Joining Jack Hammer marked a deliberate and energising next chapter — aligning her deep expertise with a global team known for doing search differently. For Linda, it was a natural elevation: more reach, more impact, and the opportunity to work alongside equally driven people solving leadership challenges at the highest levels.

Linda is a relationship builder with a sharp eye for future-fit talent. She’s known for asking tough questions, decoding shifting market demands, and getting to the heart of what clients actually need — not just what’s on the brief.

Off-duty, she’s a hands-on parent to two great kids and draws inspiration from the messy, brilliant intersections of work, life and learning. Her lens is wide, her style is real, and her results speak for themselves.