01
Mandate & research
Agree the appointment, the profile and the evidence the board needs, then map the accessible market through original research.
Our search process
Twelve stages, documented from briefing to review.
The method exists so the board always knows where the search stands, what has been covered and what evidence supports the recommendation.
02
Approach & assessment
Partner-led approaches to executives who are not looking, assessed against the agreed profile in writing.
03
Appointment & transition
Shortlist, referencing, offer negotiation, announcement, and a formal review six months in.
Inside the method
The twelve stages.
- 01
Mandate Definition
Agree the appointment the board has actually decided to make, the reporting line and the mandate's confidentiality conditions.
- 02
Leadership Profile
A written profile with weighted criteria, so assessment later measures something specific.
- 03
Market Mapping
Original research into the accessible population, not a database query.
- 04
Target Identification
A prioritised long list agreed with the client before any approach is made.
- 05
Executive Approach
Partner-led, discreet contact with executives who are not in a process.
- 06
Assessment & Calibration
Structured interviews against the agreed profile, written up for the board.
- 07
Shortlist Presentation
Evidence, coverage documentation and a recommendation the committee can interrogate.
- 08
Client Interviews
Scheduling, briefing and calibration across the client panel.
- 09
References & Due Diligence
Formal referencing plus verification appropriate to the role and sector.
- 10
Offer & Negotiation
Compensation benchmarking and negotiation handled by the partner on the mandate.
- 11
Appointment
Announcement planning, notice management and counter-offer risk.
- 12
Transition & Onboarding
First-90-days support and a formal review six months after appointment.