Francesca Conquest
Francesca Conquest
Title
Associate Partner - Interim
Firm
Watermark Search International
Office Address
Level 35, 477 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Australia
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Australia
Industry Specialties
Consumer
Education | Non-Profit
Functional Specialties
Business Development
Professional Services
Diversity
Services
Executive Search
Interim Management
Interim Management
About Ms. Conquest
Francesca Conquest is a Specialist in Interim Executive Search based in Melbourne, uniquely distinguished by her background as a qualified commercial lawyer. Originally trained in Scotland, Francesca practiced law in the UK before transitioning into the Australian recruitment landscape. This legal foundation provides her with a sharp, analytical approach to identifying elite C-suite talent, particularly for organizations requiring high-level interim leadership during periods of transition, crisis, or rapid growth. Francesca’s career is marked by her ability to build and scale specialized talent functions. She famously launched a legal secondments business from scratch while serving as the General Manager at Front Foot Law, focusing on Senior Legal Counsel appointments. Her tenure at Watermark Search International as an Associate Partner further cemented her reputation as a leader in the interim management space, where she specialized in placing "elite" executives into critical roles including CEO, CFO, and CIO positions. Her expertise extends beyond simple placement; she is deeply invested in the long-term success and "joy" of the executives she represents. This is backed by a Graduate Certificate in Careers Development and Education from RMIT University, allowing her to provide sophisticated career advisory services that align an executive’s personal passions with organizational needs. Currently serving as a Consulting Specialist at Conquest Property Partners, Francesca continues to leverage her Glaswegian-rooted tenacity and commercial law expertise to solve complex talent challenges. Whether managing internal recruitment functions for law firms or navigating the specialized world of legal secondments at LOD (Lawyers On Demand), she acts as a strategic bridge between high-stakes business requirements and the agile leadership required to meet them. The Interim Advantage Rapid Deployment: Specialized in placing C-suite leaders who can deliver immediate impact without the long lead times of permanent search. Legal Precision: Uses her background as a commercial lawyer to vet candidates for compliance, risk management, and strategic governance. End-to-End Talent Solutions: Experience ranging from agency recruitment and internal HR leadership to the management of specialist legal secondment businesses. Diverse C-Suite Coverage: A proven track record across all major "C-level" functions, ensuring a holistic approach to organizational leadership.