Leadership Team

Deborah Booth is an accomplished Director with more than two decades of experience spanning financial services, executive search, talent advisory and operational leadership. She holds a BTech in Marketing, awarded cum laude, together with postgraduate CFP and Advanced CFP qualifications. Deborah began her career in financial services, spending seven years with Investec and Standard Bank across Private Banking, Wealth Management, and Corporate and Investment Banking. This experience gave her a deep understanding of complex financial environments, commercial decision-making and the specialist talent required to build high-performing teams. She subsequently transitioned into executive search and talent advisory, where she has established a strong track record of delivering strategic recruitment solutions in South Africa and internationally.

Her areas of expertise include Executive Search, Finance and Financial Services, and Legal recruitment, with particular experience in the conveyancing sector. As a Director of Talexus, Deborah leads our delivery teams and is also responsible for the day to day executive responsibilities of the business. She partners closely with clients to develop practical, commercially sound talent strategies that provide access to scarce and highly skilled professionals in cost-effective ways.

Known for her strategic insight, professionalism and relationship-led approach, Deborah has built a reputation in the market for being a strong leader who is the go-to person for clients who need a partner they know will deliver for them at all costs.

Faye Tessendorf is a distinguished People Strategist and Talent Executive with over 20 years of global experience across the UK, USA, South Africa, and the rest of Africa. As the Co-Founder & Director of TALEXUS, Faye leverages her extensive expertise in international recruitment, talent management, and people strategy to drive the company's mission of providing life-changing opportunities to Southern African professionals abroad, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of the African continent.

With a strong foundation in psychology and organizational consulting from Rhodes University, complemented by the Executive Leadership programme at INSEAD, Faye has honed her skills through high-impact roles at renowned firms such as Robert Walters, Bain & Company, Standard Bank CIB and Homecoming Revolution. Her unique blend of strategic vision, diverse skill set, and dedication to making a positive impact on Africa distinguishes her as a transformative leader in the talent management industry.