After an early start in the field of education, Phryne Williams carved a pioneering niche when she established Capital Assignments as the first South African executive search firm dedicated to the Financial Services industry.

Two key events sparked Phryne’s idea of this niche market business – SA’s transition to democracy and the de-regulation of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. She had a particular vision of developing employment equity capital for Financial Services, and immediately set about building Capital Assignment’s expertise in networking and relationship-building with candidates with prime employment equity potential. For many, Capital Assignments facilitated their first jobs in Financial Services and then maintained long-term mentoring relationships with them as they built their careers. The success of this strategy is evident in the number of Capital Assignments candidates who after breaking first ground in Financial Services in 1995, are now captains in the industry.

Inspired by the thrilling pace of financial business and its demands for the highest level of expertise, Phryne committed herself to deep learning of her chosen market. In the true vein of a life-long learner, she immersed herself gaining specialist knowledge of her clients’ businesses; understanding their cultures, concerns and the very intricacies of their operations.

Phryne also embarked on an impressive learning journey of global search and recruitment practices to ensure that she could offer the Financial Services market optimum human capital solutions. She travelled internationally to research methodologies and techniques, and then honed knowledge and tools to establish best practices at Capital Assignments that set the benchmark and still influence competitors today.


Phryne’s natural flair for sustaining relationships over more than a decade has underpinned Capital Assignment’s longevity. The firm has a unique advantage in having the experience of doing mutually-profitable business with clients through Bear and Bull cycles, understanding well and adapting to the changing employment needs of this dynamic market. It’s not surprising that her well-developed know-how and skills-set has led her to providing clients with strategic consultation services and tailor-made in-house training.

In addition to leading Capital Assignments, Phryne has a thriving coaching practice focusing on management and leadership performance. She has a Certificate in Coaching Practice from the I-Coach Academy, and is currently studying for her Masters in Professional Coaching. Her thesis explores the impact of coaching on newly appointed Employment Equity candidates into managerial positions.