The best executive search firm in London depends on the level of the role, the sector and whether you want a global brand or a specialist. This guide compares eight firms with London offices: three global leadership advisory firms and five specialists. It is based on what each firm says on its own website.
Intelligent People publishes this guide and is one of the eight firms. If you are looking for an executive search firm in London that specialises in product, marketing and eCommerce leaders, that is where we are best placed.
Written by Doug Bates, Director, Intelligent People. Last updated: 22/10/2026.
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Quick answer: which firm is best for what
No single firm is best for every search. Match the firm to the role and sector:
- Board, CEO and large-company mandates: Egon Zehnder, Russell Reynolds Associates or Spencer Stuart.
- Financial services leadership: Carbon Search.
- Product, marketing and eCommerce leadership: Intelligent People.
- Senior finance and technology roles, plus interim: Marks Sattin.
- HR and people leadership, with six UK offices: Stone Executive.
- Legal search: Jones & Davey.
Retained executive search fees are commonly quoted at 25-35% of first-year compensation, billed in stages. Few firms publish their own rates, so ask for a proposal before you decide.
Why use an executive search firm London?
Executive search is worth paying for when the right person is not applying for jobs. Search firms research the market, approach senior people directly and assess them before you meet anyone, which job adverts and database searches rarely reach.
It tends to suit:
- Senior and C-suite hires where a wrong appointment is costly and slow to reverse.
- Confidential searches, such as replacing a current post-holder.
- Niche or scarce skills, where you need a market map before you know who exists.
For mid-level hires, standard recruitment is usually enough. Most executive search is retained: you pay in stages and the firm commits to the search until it is filled. Contingent recruitment is paid only on placement and is more common below executive level.
Executive search firms in London compared
The table compares three global firms and five specialists on London base, focus, search model and the level of role they typically handle. Details come from each firm’s own website in October 2026.
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Global executive search firms London offices
These three global leadership advisory firms all run substantial London offices and work at board and CEO level. They are listed alphabetically.
Egon Zehnder
Best for: board and CEO appointments, succession and executive assessment across sectors.
Egon Zehnder’s London page describes the Victoria office as its largest and says the firm has worked with 67 percent of FTSE 100 companies. It calls itself a leadership advisory firm that goes beyond search, with sector teams including consumer, financial services, technology and AI, and private capital.
Russell Reynolds Associates
Best for: CEO, board and executive search combined with leadership assessment and succession planning.
The London office opened in 1972 as the firm’s first outside the US. Its UK country manager says it has “a leading presence in UK boardrooms” and works with clients “from start-ups to FTSE 100 companies”, across board advisory, executive search and leadership development.
Spencer Stuart
Best for: finding and developing senior leaders, with board and team-effectiveness work alongside search.
Spencer Stuart’s London office is at 80 Strand. Its consultants say they help organisations find and develop leaders, improve team effectiveness and support strategic or cultural transformation.
Specialist executive search firms in London
Specialists trade breadth for depth in one sector or function. They are listed alphabetically.
Carbon Search
Best for: financial services leadership, from fintech to banking, insurance and investment management.
Carbon Search is headquartered at Wimpole Street, W1. Its website cites over 1,000 retained executive searches, 20-plus years in executive search and 85% of its work as repeat business. It also covers board appointments, including chairs and non-executives.
Intelligent People
Best for: product, marketing, commercial and eCommerce leadership.
Intelligent People was co-founded in 2002 by Doug Bates and Chris Mason, and works from an office in St Albans with London clients. It places C-suite, VP and Director roles in product, marketing, commercial leadership, eCommerce and UX and product design, on a retained basis with fees in three stages: engagement, shortlist and placement. We are proud of our 100% executive search placement record, a 4.9-star Google rating and that 81% of employers return within a year. We deliver a shortlist within 5-6 weeks of the brief. We also place interim and contract leaders.
View our executive search service.
Jones & Davey
Best for: legal search, for law firms and in-house legal teams.
Jones & Davey has offices in London and Birmingham and an Asia desk. Its website cites a success rate above 90% and a 100% refund offer, and says it has traded for over a decade. Clients range from regional and boutique firms to international law firms.
Marks Sattin
Best for: senior finance and technology appointments, plus interim management.
Marks Sattin’s executive search page refers to a 35-year tenure and lists locations including London, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Dublin. Its search work centres on COO, CFO, Finance Director and Head of Finance roles. It screens candidates personally and offers psychometric testing.
Stone Executive
Best for: HR and people leadership, with partner-led retained search across six UK offices.
Stone Executive’s HR practice places roles from CHRO and Chief People Officer to HR Director and Head of Talent. It describes itself as a retained headhunting practice of twenty years, with more than 1,000 senior appointments, and also searches in board, finance, IT, legal and sales and marketing roles.
How to choose an executive search firm in London
Shortlist two or three firms by sector and seniority, then compare them on the points below.
- Match the sector and function. A firm that places your type of leader regularly already knows who and where they are.
- Match the level. Ask how many recent searches were at the seniority you need.
- Check the model and who does the work. Confirm whether the search is retained, how fees are staged, and whether a partner or a junior consultant runs it.
- Ask for comparable searches and references. A good firm can describe a similar brief, how long it took and how it ended.
- Ask about timing and guarantees. Get the expected shortlist date and what happens if the hire leaves early.
- Ask about off-limits. Firms usually cannot approach candidates from their existing clients, which can shrink your pool.
For help preparing a brief, see our guides to executive headhunting and shortlisting and executive assessments.
How much does executive search cost in London?
Retained executive search typically costs 25-35% of the hire’s first-year compensation, billed in stages. Two industry guides give similar ranges: Kitalent quotes 25-35%, and Recruitly’s 2026 UK guide quotes 25-33% of first-year salary. Both come from recruitment vendors and describe what firms commonly charge, not a survey.
Retained fees are usually split into thirds, for example on engagement, on shortlist and on placement. Stone Executive and Intelligent People both are three-stage fees. Contingent fees, paid only on a hire, are rarely used for executive roles. Extras such as psychometric testing or market mapping may cost more.
The global firms’ London pages do not state their rates. Ask each firm for a written proposal that states the percentage, what it is calculated on, the payment stages and any guarantee.
Looking for bespoke Executive Search advice?
Our management team
We understand how critical key C-level recruitment projects are for our customers. Therefore, all of our Executive Search assignments in London are led or overseen by one of our management team, with support from our experienced search consultants and researchers, who will often have an industry specialism.
As an Executive Search recruitment agency, we specialise in retained search for C-level positions including CEO’s, CMO’s, CPO’s and more. We are proud of our 100% Executive Search success record, ensuring our clients receive the best leadership talent for their needs
Executive search London: frequently asked questions
What is the best executive search firm in London?
There is no single best firm; the right one depends on the role, sector and seniority. Egon Zehnder, Russell Reynolds Associates and Spencer Stuart suit board and CEO mandates, while specialists such as Carbon Search (financial services) or Jones & Davey (legal) offer sector depth.
Which executive search firm is best for product, marketing and eCommerce leaders?
Intelligent People specialises in product, marketing, commercial leadership and eCommerce searches at C-suite, VP and Director level. It also places UX and product design leaders, on a retained basis with interim options.
How much do executive search firms in London charge?
Retained executive search commonly costs 25-35% of the hire’s first-year compensation, billed in stages. Firms rarely publish their rates, so ask for a written proposal that states the percentage, payment stages and any guarantee.
How long does an executive search take?
Timelines vary by firm and role. Intelligent People says it often delivers a shortlist within 5-6 weeks of the brief, while Russell Reynolds says executive search can recruit leaders in as little as 14 weeks. Scarce skills and notice periods add time.
What is the difference between executive search and recruitment?
Executive search is a proactive, usually retained service for senior roles, where the firm approaches candidates who are not looking for a job. Standard recruitment tends to cover a wider range of levels and relies more on people who apply or are already registered.
