Print-friendly version

Home | Senior Management & Executive Career Development Resources | A guide to Executive Search Firms

A guide to Executive Search Firms

• Be prepared - before you approach a Headhunter, think about what you want. Make sure that your CV looks good and be clear about what you have to offer. You could try out our free personality profile tests beforehand. Recruiters like candidates that they can sell. "How saleable are you?" is a question that you really must be ready to answer with confidence. You'll find more helpful tips on our 'How to get headhunted' page.
  
• Making contact - it's good to let Headhunters know you exist, and that you are actively looking for a career move. However, because they only act on specific instructions from clients, they won't necessarily have anything there and then that is right for you. Don't be disheartened, you never know what's coming up on the horizon.
  
• Website profiles - the online utilities on each of the Executive Search Firms below vary wildly. With some you can register your CV online, some offer free tests and market reports, others allow you to check out their career opportunity databases once you have registered. Others are more like electronic brochures aimed at attracting clients rather than candidates.
• Key differentiors - are the quality of their search consultants and their employer contacts within the particular industry sectors they specialise in. Only approach those that operate in the sectors you are interested in. There are many, many search firms out there - we've listed the market leaders here and a few more that we think are of high quality. 
• Getting started - scroll down the page and click on the company name to reveal their full profile. For Executive jobs online, go to the job hunting sites directory and click on Executive job boards.
  
  

Executive Search Firm Directory

newlifenetwork.co.uk_job_search_tracking_sheet_2009.xls - 31kb Download this job search tracking file

Surf_your_way_to_your_next_job_hr1.pdf - 5698kb Download this FREE guide to job-hunting online

Association of Executive Search Consultants Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) - the Professional Association for the top end of the Executive search and recruitment business. Highly informative site carrying their code of...

Director Bank Directorbank is a unique (because it's not simply a job board nor a traditional search business) executive and non-executive recruitment business and holds a market leading niche in the VC and...

Egon Zehnder International Executive Grapevine survey 2009 Rank - Top 5. Privately owned, Egon Zehnder International Executive Search was founded in 1964. They have around 300 consultants, operating from more than 61...

Ellis Fairbank Established 1991, Ellis Fairbank has it's head office in Leeds and branches in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Strasbourg and Paris, employing a total of 200...

Hanover Fox Hanover Fox - founded in 1996 by three experienced Executive Search partners. Has grown substantially since it was founded and attracts high calibre assignments. Offices in London, Bristol and...

Harvey Nash Established in 1988, the Harvey Nash office network spans three continents and over 28 cities, including London, Frankfurt, New York and Hanoi. In the UK, there are two offices in London plus...

Heidrick & Struggles Executive Grapevine survey 2009 Rank - Top 5. Heidrick & Struggles was established in the USA in 1953 and now conducts executive searches across the globe. London is the biggest office,...

Hogarth Davies Lloyd Hogarth Davies Lloyd deal exclusively with executive search for top financial vacancies. Established its London office in 1995. Also has offices in Stockholm, Tokyo and Dubai.

Hoggett Bowers Hoggett Bowers h andle approximately 400 executives search assignments per annum, Offices in London, Manchester and Birmingham. Allows candidates to submit CV's online for speculative...

Hudson  Hudson International Executive recruitment organised by industry sector. Website allows you to register your CV online and browse vacancies. UK offices in London, Guildford, Leeds,...

Korn Ferry Korn Ferry Executive Search - Executive Grapevine survey 2005/06 Rank 7, market share 4.2%. Website allows you to register online, browse a selection of vacancies and apply online.

Norman Broadbent Norman Broadbent Executive Search was founded in 1982. Candidates can browse a selection of positions online and apply but not register online so you will have to throw your hat into the ring...

Odgers Berndtson Odgers Berndtson Executive Search - Executive Grapevine survey 2009 Ranking - 1. Offices throughout the UK - London, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester.

Principal Search Principal Search specialises in executive search and recruitment in the investment banking and financial services sectors. They have been voted top boutique search firm by Executive Grapevine for the...

Prism Prism Executive Search and recruitment with a strong presence in the management consultancy market.

Rockpools Rockpools Executive Search - this consultancy is a complete breath of fresh air in the recruitment sector. They provide executive recruitment and career development services in the public, private...

Russell Reynolds Russell Reynolds are a global Executive Search Firm founded in 1967. They were ranked in the top 5 of the 2009 Executive Grapevine survey.

Saxton Bampfylde Saxton Bampfylde - over 65% of appointments made at board level in a good mix of sectors. They stand out from the crowd as a search firm with their Alice in Wonderland imagery and top marks for...

Spencer Stuart Founded in 1956, offices around the world. UK Offices in London, Leeds and Manchester. Executive Grapevine 2009 Rank - Top 5. Upload your CV online to attract the attention of the search team.

The Blackwood Group Executive Grapevine 2005/06 survey Rank 10, market share 1.7%. Specialise in investment banking, asset management, Board appointments.

Veredus Veredus provides senior executive recruitment, interim management and leadership consultancy to the public and private sector. Formerly known as PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search now part of...

Whitehead Mann Recently taken over by Korn Ferry Executive Search. Executive Grapevine survey 2009 Rank - Top 10.