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CEO Executive Search
Robert Walters is a trusted partner for CEO executive search in the UK, helping organisations appoint high-impact Chief Executive Officers who can define strategy, lead transformation, and deliver sustained business performance. Our specialist executive search consultants work with organisations across all sectors, connecting them with exceptional leadership talent from our offices in London, the South, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Access a network of transformational CEO leaders
Our dedicated CEO recruitment team partners with boards, investors, and senior leadership teams across the UK to identify and attract outstanding Chief Executive Officers.
Combining deep market insight with a highly consultative, research-led approach, we help organisations secure CEOs who can set strategic direction, drive growth, lead organisational change, and build high-performing executive teams.
Looking to hire a Chief Executive Officer who can lead your organisation through its next phase of growth, transformation, or turnaround?
Get in touch with a member of our team to arrange a confidential discussion or submit your vacancy to tell us more about your executive leadership requirements.
Why choose Robert Walters for CEO hiring?
- Proven Expertise in CEO and Board-Level Recruitment: Decades of experience delivering Chief Executive Officer appointments across the UK, including placements within corporates, private equity-backed businesses, public sector organisations, and high-growth scale-ups.
- Access to an Exclusive Network of Executive Leaders: Deep relationships with established CEOs, divisional leaders, managing directors, and emerging leadership talent across the UK and internationally.
- Insight‑Driven and Data‑Led Search Methodology: Our in‑house market intelligence team provides detailed insights into CEO hiring trends, leadership capability benchmarks, succession planning, and talent availability.
- Executive Benchmarking and Market Mapping: Tailored solutions including CEO salary benchmarking, organisational design insights, role scoping, and competitor mapping to position your opportunity effectively.
- End-to-End Executive Search Delivery: A fully managed and discreet CEO recruitment process – from role definition and board alignment through to search, assessment, offer management, onboarding, and post-placement support.
- Leadership Advisory and Assessment Capability: Our Advisory team supports CEO hiring through executive assessment, leadership due diligence, succession planning, and onboarding strategies to ensure long-term success.
Sectors & industries we CEOs recruit across:
We recruit for a wide range of sectors and industries, including (but not limited to):
- Financial Services
- Technology & FinTech
- Manufacturing & Engineering
- Retail & Consumer
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Professional Services
- Private Equity & Investor-led businesses
CEO salary & benefits benchmarking
Stay competitive with up-to-date executive benchmarking insights across the UK’s CEO market. Access the latest Chief Executive Officer salary data, including base salary ranges, performance incentives, and benefits packages to support informed hiring decisions and build compelling leadership offers.
Talent Development Solutions for CEOs
Strengthen your CEO hiring strategy with our tailored talent development solutions. Delivered by experienced executive coaches, our programmes include leadership assessment, executive coaching, onboarding support, and succession planning to ensure your CEO delivers impact from day one.
Meet our CEO recruiters
Dan Harris
Executive search, London & South East
Dan oversees our UK & Ireland offices, leading teams that deliver specialist CEO recruitment and senior executive search across London and the South East. Since joining Robert Walters in 2015, he has brought deep market insight and a strong national network – helping organisations appoint high-impact CEOs and business leaders across dynamic, fast-changing environments.
Habiba Khatoon
Executive search, Midlands
Habiba oversees our Midlands operations, leading on CEO recruitment and senior executive leadership appointments. With more than 15 years’ experience and a deep regional network, she supports organisations to secure impactful CEOs and multi-disciplinary business leaders capable of driving scale-up, transformation, and restructuring.
Lucy Bisset
Executive search, North
Lucy leads our North of England operations, where she and her teams deliver specialist CEO recruitment and executive search. With nearly 20 years’ experience, she partners with organisations of all sizes and structures to appoint CEOs and senior business leaders who drive performance, transformation, and organisational change.
Howard Green
Executive search, London & South
Howard specialises in CEO recruitment and senior executive leadership across London and the South, partnering with listed, multinational, and private equity–backed companies. With over 20 years’ experience, he appoints CEOs, Group Directors, and transformation leaders who strengthen performance, strategic governance, and cross-functional delivery.
Submit a hiring requirement
Tell us about your requirement, and a member of the team will be in touch to arrange a no-obligation discussion.
Bespoke salary benchmarking
Using a combination of our own data, publicly available insights and our recruitment experts, we build bespoke overviews of the salaries and benefits required to attract talent.
FAQs
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What trends are impacting CEO recruitment in the UK?
CEO recruitment in the UK is evolving rapidly as organisations navigate economic recovery, technological disruption, and increasing stakeholder expectations. In 2026:
- Boards are prioritising CEOs who can balance growth with resilience amidst inflationary pressures and global uncertainty.
- There is increased demand for leaders with strong transformation credentials such as digital adoption expertise or operational efficiency experience.
- ESG leadership has become critical for listed companies and large private enterprises.
The talent pool for proven CEOs remains relatively small in the UK due to these heightened requirements. Many organisations are partnering with CEO recruiting firms or executive search agencies to access deeper market insight and conduct robust searches.
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Can Robert Walters support interim assignments?
Yes. Robert Walters supports organisations across the UK with interim or fractional assignments for CEOs, particularly during periods of transition or transformation.
Interim CEOs are often engaged during mergers or restructuring phases where immediate impact is required. Fractional roles are increasingly popular among mid-sized businesses that need senior expertise without committing to full-time appointments.
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How does CEO recruitment differ across key UK regions?
Regional differences influence how organisations approach hiring their next Chief Executive Officer:
- In London: Demand is highest for commercial acumen and growth-focused leaders due to its status as a financial hub.
- In Manchester & Leeds: Organisations seek transformational leaders capable of scaling operations in competitive markets.
- In Birmingham: Industrial hubs prioritise operational efficiency alongside strategic vision.
For region-specific advice on hiring trends or accessing local talent pools via leading C-suite recruiting firms, contact our team today.
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Why partner with Robert Walters for CEO recruitment?
Our practice combines deep expertise in placing top-tier executives with decades of experience delivering board-level appointments across the UK.
We offer fully managed processes tailored specifically for each client’s needs – ensuring alignment between leadership capability requirements while maintaining confidentiality throughout searches conducted discreetly.
To collaborate with trusted experts among leading global CEO search firms, reach out today.
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How do you ensure confidentiality in CEO executive search?
Confidentiality is critical in CEO recruitment, where leadership transitions often involve sensitive strategic, commercial or organisational considerations.
We deliver highly discreet executive search processes ensuring both client strategy and candidate identity are protected throughout the process.
Our consultants operate with strict confidentiality protocols, safeguarding sensitive information at every stage of the search and ensuring a secure, professional experience for all parties involved.
If you require a confidential CEO search, contact our executive search team to arrange a discreet consultation.