Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Clare Johnston, The Up Group has become a trusted digital advisor to boardrooms across Europe. Known for its strong relationships with digital executives, entrepreneurs and investors, The Up Group has built the senior leadership teams for some of the world’s most high profile companies. The firm’s international roster of clients include VC-backed stars (such as Skyscanner, WorldRemit and Airbnb); PE-owned growth stories (Photobox, Graze, Trainline); tech giants (Google Deepmind, JUST EAT, TripAdvisor); and corporates going through digital transformation (Aviva, HomeServe, Guardian Media Group).
The Up Group’s co-CEOs, Clare Johnston and Robert Swerling, are well known in the European tech space. Clare is a formal advisor to two VC funds and a regular keynote speaker at conferences across Europe; Robert has held leadership roles at some of Europe's most prominent digital businesses while investing in and mentoring numerous successful start-ups.
With demand for its services expected to grow substantially, The Up Group is planning to strengthen its delivery capacity, as well as expand its international footprint. It will also accelerate its Digital Masters programme, which brings together industry leaders throughout the year at a variety of exclusive events.
Clare Johnston, founder and co-CEO at The Up Group said:
“Our amazing clients are looking to change the world, and we are determined to do everything we can to help them. This means growing our team and opening offices in some of the key centres where we’re seeing significant demand for our services. In Livingbridge, we have found a partner who really understands, and is excited by, the opportunities ahead, and we are delighted to be working with them.”
Nick Holder from Livingbridge commented:
“We have a strong track record of investing in successful recruitment businesses having partnered with firms such as Nigel Frank International, Armstrong Craven and Staffline in the past. We see The Up Group as precisely the sort of top talent adviser we enjoy working with given their niche market positioning, strong reputation and market leading management team. The business has established a very strong brand based on deep roots within and understanding of the digital economy.”
