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Executive Search

Appointments made define an organisation.

Some hires are decisions. A CFO, a board member, a practice head: these are commitments. We conduct rigorous, confidential search led by partners who understand the weight of what is being decided.
The mandates we run

Search for the roles that carry the most weight.

CFO & finance leadership

Retained search for CFOs, finance directors and heads of function. These are the appointments that shape a firm's trajectory. Led by partners, researched exhaustively, and run with the discretion these processes require on both sides.

Board & non-executive roles

Search for non-executive directors, audit committee chairs and advisory roles where independence, credibility and sector fluency matter as much as availability. We map beyond the usual candidates to those genuinely additive to a board.

Confidential replacements

When a change must be made before it can be announced, we run the entire search under strict confidentiality: anonymised briefs, controlled disclosure and carefully staged introductions, protecting the business and the individuals throughout.

Division & practice leadership

Senior appointments that build something new: a first CFO for a growing platform, the leadership of a new fund strategy, or a practice head. Through Carnegie NAVsec we also run partner-level search in the NAV financing and secondaries markets.

How we work

The principles behind every search.

01

Partner-led, always

The person who takes your brief runs your search. Leadership mandates are never delegated down, because judgement is the product.

02

Research, not rolodex

We map the market exhaustively for every mandate rather than recycling a known shortlist. The right candidate is often the one no other firm thought to approach.

03

Discretion on both sides

Leadership searches involve careers and reputations. Anonymised briefs, controlled disclosure and staged introductions protect everyone until the moment is right.

04

Honest counsel

We are paid for our opinion, not simply our access. If the brief is wrong, the timing is wrong or the expectations are wrong, we say so before the search begins.

“We map the market thoroughly and represent your opportunity with discretion and credibility.”

20+

Years advising on leadership hires

80%

Mandates from repeat clients

2

Hubs: London and New York

2006

Trusted with leadership hires since
Common questions

Executive search, answered.

Is executive search always retained?
For leadership appointments, yes. Retained search is what allows exhaustive research, genuine partner attention and the discretion these processes demand. We explain the structure and milestones clearly before any engagement begins.
The entire search runs under strict confidentiality: an anonymised brief, controlled disclosure to a carefully sequenced shortlist, and staged introductions, so the business, the incumbent and the candidates are all protected until an announcement is ready.
The timeline depends on the seniority, confidentiality and complexity of the mandate. We agree a realistic plan with clear milestones before the search begins, and we would rather give you an honest timeline at the start than a flattering one.
Finance leadership across private equity, asset management, hedge funds and hospitality, from London and New York. Partner-level search in NAV financing and secondaries runs through Carnegie NAVsec, our dedicated division.

Planning a leadership change before it is urgent? Our advisory work maps the market first.

Explore Talent Advisory
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An appointment you cannot afford to get wrong?

Speak to a partner in confidence. We will give you an honest view of the market, the timeline and the approach before anything begins.
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  • Established 2006
  • London · New York · Luxembourg
  • Discreet & confidential