info@connell-consulting.com

+44 (0)20 7371 8142

X-twitter Linkedin
Team

Our team of health, care and education sector specialists

Connell Consulting has a reputation for carrying out reliable and well-researched commercial due diligence, strategic and operational improvement projects, delivered by a full-time team of experienced consultants and dedicated researchers who share a passion for the care sector.

Clients trust Connell Consulting because they know they’re partnering with a team that has worked on a vast number of health, social care, and special education projects, consistently delivering high-quality, evidence-based outputs on tight transaction timelines.

Clare Connell

CEO
View profile

Jaimie DeVries

Managing Director
View profile

Paul Birley

Advisory Chair
View profile

Charlotte Davis

Senior Engagement Manager
View profile

Raphaëlle Cotillon

Engagement Manager
View profile

Sonia Black

Operations Manager
View profile

Joe Wherry

Consultant
View profile

Lukas Moment

Consultant
View profile

Michaela Deasy

Marketing & Business Development Manager
View profile

Ben Cooper

Knowledge Management Lead
View profile

Rikin Parikh

Business Analyst
View profile

Dan Sayer

Business Analyst
View profile

Will Tomalin

Business Analyst
View profile

Jules Cormack

Data Automation Analyst
View profile

Matthew Laird

Senior Research Analyst
View profile

Joe Stanton

Research Analyst
View profile

Tom Baker

Research Analyst
View profile

Anna Crichlow

Research Analyst
View profile

Poppy Sheward-Skelton

Research Analyst
View profile

Lotte Pearl

Research Analyst
View profile

Clare Connell

CEO

Clare Connell is a highly respected leader in strategy consulting, with over 25 years of experience across health, social care, and education bringing deep industry expertise and commercial acumen to her work.
 
Since founding Connell Consulting, Clare has spearheaded the execution of over 500 commercial due diligence and strategic consulting engagements—covering more than £7.5 billion in healthcare and social care transactions.
 
Her impressive leadership has earned her recognition as a Sector Specialist in the HealthInvestor Power 50 list in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. Clare’s consulting excellence is further underscored by Connell Consulting’s multiple prestigious accolades, including HealthInvestor Consultancy of the Year (2016, 2021 & 2025) and LaingBuisson Management Consultant of the Year (2019, 2020). 
 
Clare holds a BA (Hons) in History from Durham University.

Contact: +44 (0)7740 467731

Email: clare@connell-consulting.com

Recent Transactions

Jaimie DeVries

Managing Director

Jaimie joined Connell Consulting in January 2013, shortly after completing her MBA, and has since steered hundreds of projects across the healthcare, social care, and education sectors.

With a BSc in Marketing and advanced business and management studies in Paris and London, Jaimie combines strong academic foundations with practical global insights.

Over the past 12 years, Jaimie has been central to delivering strategic excellence and operational insight—her leadership and analytical expertise continuously elevating the success of Connell Consulting’s work.

Contact: +44 (0)20 3179 2501

Email: jaimie@connell-consulting.com

Recent Transactions

Paul Birley

Advisory Chair

Paul was Barclays’ Head of Healthcare for almost 20 years. Having helped set up their healthcare strategy in 2001, he grew the business into one of the UK’s leading teams with a portfolio of healthcare clients covering all aspects of the sector. 

As Advisory Chair, Paul brings a wealth of experience to support our transition into a much larger consulting firm.

Recent Transactions

Charlotte Davis

Senior Engagement Manager

Charlotte has been a valued member of Connell Consulting since 2014, bringing robust academic and consulting credentials to her role. With an MBiochem in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, she pairs deep scientific training with strategic finesse. Prior to joining the firm, Charlotte spent two formative years honing her skills in healthcare consulting.

At Connell, Charlotte is a key driver in translating complex data and stakeholder insights into polished, strategic narratives—making her a trusted and insightful advisor to our clients.

Contact: +44 (0)20 3179 2502

Email: charlotte@connell-consulting.com

Recent Transactions

Raphaëlle Cotillon

Engagement Manager

Raphaëlle is an Engagement Manager at Connell Consulting, with expertise in delivering high-impact, data-driven reports that help investors and operators navigate complex challenges.

She has previous experience consulting on commercial, policy, reimbursement, and regulatory due diligence for healthcare private equity transactions, including NHS in/outsourcing, MedTech, clinical diagnostics, and life sciences. Raphaëlle holds a combined Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc) from University College London.

Recent Transactions

Sonia Black

Operations Manager

Since joining Connell Consulting in 2019, Sonia has brought over 16 years of expertise in operations management to the team. From streamlining complex office systems to providing vital support to leadership, she ensures everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes. Known for her ability to manage diverse responsibilities with precision, Sonia thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Her meticulous attention to detail and proactive approach make her an indispensable part of Connell Consulting’s dynamic operations.

Recent Transactions

Joe Wherry

Consultant

Joe joined Connell Consulting after completing a BA in History and Modern Languages at the University of Cambridge, and he is fluent in French, bringing both academic depth and linguistic proficiency to our team. 

Since joining, Joe has taken a leading role in advising on a number of high-profile elderly care and learning disabilities (LD) sector transactions. His detailed insight and growing expertise have made him a trusted consultant for clients navigating these specialised areas.

Recent Transactions

Lukas Moment

Consultant

Lukas has worked closely with investors and operators across the education sector, providing strategic support and commercial due diligence for investments in Early Years and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provisions.

His experience also includes advising on strategy projects for international schools and EdTech companies. Lukas holds a BSc in Business from the University of Bath. 

Recent Transactions

Michaela Deasy

Marketing & Business Development Manager

Michaela joins Connell Consulting with in-depth knowledge of the social care and healthcare landscape, along with a proven track record of engaging both operators and investors in the sector. With a sophisticated understanding of communication strategies and relationship development, she brings a unique blend of strategic insight and practical execution.

Michaela graduated from the University of Central Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland with a BA in Marketing, Public Relations, and Business Communications and a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Communications and Art History.

Recent Transactions

Ben Cooper

Knowledge Management Lead

Ben is a Knowledge Management Lead at Connell Consulting joining the business in 2021. Ben oversees the company’s primary research processes and data management, with a focus on health and social care stakeholder interviews, mystery shopping, and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

With a background in Acting & Performance (BA, University for the Creative Arts), Ben brings a unique blend of communication skills, analytical thinking, and creative problem-solving to his work. 

Recent Transactions

Rikin Parikh

Business Analyst

Rikin joined Connell Consulting as a Business Analyst after graduating from The London School of Economics and Political Sciences with a BA in History. During his time at university, he started his own tutoring company helping disadvantaged students achieve their academic ambitions. Rikin has worked on a range of commercial due diligence and strategic initiatives across multiple areas within the health and social care sectors. 

Recent Transactions

Dan Sayer

Business Analyst

Dan joined Connell Consulting after graduating with a Masters from King’s College London in Economics and Finance, and a BA in Economics and French from the University of Leeds. He spent a year in France at Jean Moulin III University, Lyon as part of his studies and speaks fluent French. 

Recent Transactions

Will Tomalin

Business Analyst

Will joined Connell Consulting as a Business Analyst with prior transactional experience working for a social care operator. 

Prior to this, Will graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA in History and an MSc in Management.

Recent Transactions

Jules Cormack

Data Automations Analyst

Jules is a Data Automations Analyst leading the development of new automation tools here at Connell. Her work focuses on web scraping, data manipulation, and AI-integrated workflows using tools such as n8n, JavaScript, and Python. With a background in children’s services and SEND education, she also serves as a board member for a national youth circus network and contributes as lead analyst to several research projects. She holds an MA in Directing for Circus.

Recent Transactions

Matthew Laird

Senior Research Analyst

Matt joined the team at Connell Consulting in 2019. He is a Senior Research Analyst, specialising in elderly care services. Matt has worked on numerous projects across the space, leading on primary research, mystery shopping and micro-market competitor analysis. Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Theatre from Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

Recent Transactions

Joe Stanton

Research Analyst

Joe joined the team at Connell Consulting as a Research Analyst specialising in elderly care services. He has worked on a range of projects and has experience conducting micro-market competitor research, primary research and mystery shopping. Joe graduated with a BA in History and French from Durham University, before completing an MSt in British and European History, 1700-1850 at the University of Oxford. 

Recent Transactions

Tom Baker

Research Analyst

Tom is a Research Analyst at Connell Consulting. He has worked on numerous projects across health and social care, specialising in elderly care services, and has experience conducting micro-market competitor research, primary research, and mystery shopping. Tom graduated with a BA in Acting from the Oxford School of Drama.

Recent Transactions

Anna Crichlow

Research Analyst

Anna is a Research Analyst at Connell Consulting. She has worked on a range of projects across health and social care and has experience conducting primary research, mystery shopping and micro-market competitor research. Anna graduated with a BA in Acting from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Recent Transactions

Poppy Sheward-Skelton

Research Analyst

Poppy is a Research Analyst at Connell Consulting. She holds a First-Class degree in History from the University of Newcastle and has experience working in the social sector. Poppy brings strong research and analytical skills to the team and has a keen interest in projects across health, social care, and specialist education.

Recent Transactions

Lotte Pearl

Research Analyst

Lotte is a Research Analyst and has experience in forward facing customer service and conducting primary research. She is excited to work on a range of projects across health and social care. Lotte Graduated with a BA in Acting from The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School..

Recent Transactions