Our People

Sarah-Jane is a Partner at Derwent in our Public Sector practice, based in Canberra. She specialises in government relations, public policy, corporate affairs and law, translating this expertise into appointments for peak industry, membership bodies and corporates. 

Sarah-Jane draws on her extensive network focusing on appointments that deliver longevity, outcomes and strengthen influence with government. Sarah-Jane holds an unrestricted Parliament House pass, and assists parliamentarians on all sides of politics with ministerial appointments.

Born in Canberra and raised in London, where her father served as a diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before leading a peak association, Sarah-Jane developed an early, instinctive feel for government and public institutions that continues to shape her approach. Before moving into executive search, Sarah-Jane trained and practised law in London. Returning to Australia in 2006, she built her career as a senior corporate affairs executive specialising in corporate social responsibility, including serving on the board of the peak association for legal professionals in Victoria, giving her firsthand insight into the governance and professional culture peak bodies expect of their leaders. 

Sarah-Jane holds undergraduate and postgraduate law degrees from the University of Bristol and is a qualified, non-practising lawyer.