Services: Search

Search for talent,
find
somebody exceptional.

Executive and specialist search that goes beyond the visible market. Through deep networks, rigorous methodology and genuine candidate relationships, we surface leaders who transform organisations.

Live search activity
CFO, FinTech Scale-up Search initiated 6 days ago
Active
CPO, SaaS Series B Candidate shortlist ready
Active
Head of People, PE Portfolio Final interviews in progress
Closing
Typical time-to-shortlist: 14–21 days
92%
of placed candidates still in role after 24 months
18
days average time to a qualified shortlist
400+
senior searches completed across 12 sectors
78%
of candidates placed come from passive networks
CFO CPO CTO CHRO CEO
78% passive talent Not on the market, until we call

Beyond the job boards. Into the real talent market.

Most recruiters only see the candidates who are already looking. Executive search is different. We proactively map the entire talent landscape for your brief, then approach the people who are thriving in their current roles and wouldn't respond to an advert.

The result is access to a substantially wider, higher-quality pool of leaders who represent a true upgrade for your business.

  • Full market mapping across active and passive talent pools
  • Direct approach to high-performers not visible on the open market
  • Rigorous assessment at every stage, not just CV screening
  • Retained model ensuring dedicated, confidential delivery
  • Long-term relationship management for repeat accuracy

How every search
is delivered

A structured six-stage process designed to eliminate guesswork, surface the right people quickly, and give you the confidence to make a decisive hiring decision.

1 Brief & Scoping
2 Market Mapping
3 Direct Approach
4 Assessment
5 Shortlist Presentation
6 Offer & Onboarding
01

Brief & Scoping

We begin with a deep brief, far beyond the job description. We explore business context, culture, leadership dynamics, failure modes of previous hires, and what genuine success looks like in 12 months. This shapes a precise search that saves time for everyone.

Role definition Stakeholder alignment Success criteria Culture mapping
02

Market Mapping

We build a comprehensive picture of the entire available talent pool, by company, function, seniority and geography. This intelligence is shared with you as a live document, giving full visibility into who exists in your market and why specific individuals are prioritised.

Competitor analysis Talent universe Live market report Benchmark data
03

Direct Approach

We make personalised, discreet approaches to targeted individuals, presenting your opportunity compellingly without naming your organisation until appropriate. Our established relationships mean candidates take our calls seriously, including those not otherwise reachable.

Confidential outreach Passive candidates Personalised pitch Network activation
04

Assessment

Every interested candidate undergoes structured competency interviews, reference intelligence gathering and, where appropriate, values-based assessment. We only advance individuals we would confidently hire ourselves. Our rigour is what makes the shortlist genuinely short.

Competency interviews Reference checks Values alignment Track record validation
05

Shortlist Presentation

You receive a concise, structured shortlist, typically four to six candidates, each supported by a detailed written rationale, candidate pack and compensation data. We present this in person or via video and guide the interview process design to ensure consistency and legal compliance.

Written candidate profiles Compensation benchmarking Interview framework Decision support
06

Offer & Onboarding

We manage the offer negotiation, navigate counter-offers and stay actively engaged through the notice period and first 90 days. Our aftercare is where most retained searches fall short, and where we believe our value is most felt by both client and candidate.

Offer management Counter-offer navigation 90-day check-ins Placement guarantee

Where we search best

We work across a focused set of sectors where we have deep networks, market knowledge and genuine credibility with senior talent.

Technology & SaaS

From pre-Series A through to IPO-ready. CTOs, CPOs, VPs of Engineering and the commercial leaders who scale product-led businesses.

CTO CPO VP Engineering GTM
Financial Services

Banking, asset management, insurance and payments. Executive and specialist search for regulated environments where pedigree and discretion are non-negotiable.

CFO Risk Compliance FinTech
Private Equity & Portfolio

Management team builds, buy-and-build mandates and transformation hires within PE-backed businesses requiring operational rigour and speed.

CEO CFO COO Transformation
People & HR Leadership

Our home territory. CPOs, CHROs and the full spectrum of People leadership, talent acquisition, L&D, DEI, HRBP and HR Operations at scale.

CHRO CPO HRBP TA Lead
Consumer & Retail

Brand, digital and omnichannel leadership across FMCG, fashion, food and direct-to-consumer businesses at inflection points of growth.

CMO CDO Brand Director eComm
Professional Services

Partners, practice heads and senior advisory talent across consulting, legal, accountancy and architecture. Firms that need to attract without advertising.

Partner Practice Lead Consulting Legal

Not just another search firm.
A fundamentally different model.

We operate a deliberately boutique model, limiting active searches so every mandate receives the full attention it deserves.

Retained, not contingent

We work exclusively on a retained basis. That means we are genuinely accountable to your timeline, not incentivised to rush or cherry-pick the easiest candidates.

Speed without shortcuts

We consistently deliver qualified shortlists in 14–21 days, not because we rush, but because our market maps and candidate relationships are built in advance of every instruction.

Radical transparency

You see everything we see. Live market maps, candidate outreach tracking, interview feedback and salary benchmarks are shared as standard, not held back as leverage.

12-month placement guarantee

If a placed candidate leaves or is released within 12 months, we re-execute the search at no additional fee. We only succeed when your hire succeeds.

What clients say after the hire

Joshua introduced us to our CFO in under three weeks. Two years in and she's transformed our finance function. Not one of those candidates was on any job board.

MR
Michael R. CEO, Series B FinTech

The market mapping alone was worth the retainer. Knowing exactly who was available, at what compensation, made our board conversations so much easier. The quality of the shortlist was exceptional.

SK
Sarah K. Managing Partner, PE Fund

We'd used three different firms before Joshua. The difference was transparency, we saw every approach, every response, every piece of intelligence in real time. No more black box recruiting.

AL
Anna L. CPO, Global SaaS Business
Currently accepting new mandates

Ready to start your search?

Tell us about the role, the business, and the challenge. We'll come back within 24 hours with an honest view on what the market looks like and whether we're the right fit for this search.