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Consumer & Retail Executive Search
Robert Walters is one of the UK’s leading Consumer & Retail Executive Search firms, Robert Walters helps consumer brands, retailers, FMCG organisations, e-commerce businesses and consumer goods companies appoint exceptional senior leaders. Our consumer executive search specialists identify C-suite and senior leadership talent capable of driving growth, leading transformation and delivering long-term commercial success.
Leadership Recruitment for the UK's Consumer & Retail Sector
The UK's consumer and retail sector continues to evolve rapidly, driven by shifting consumer behaviours, digital transformation, omnichannel strategies and changing economic conditions. As organisations adapt to new market realities, the demand for experienced executives has never been greater.
Our consumer goods executive search, FMCG executive search and retail executive search specialists partner with retailers, consumer brands, manufacturers, e-commerce businesses and direct-to-consumer organisations to identify leaders who can successfully balance innovation, customer experience and commercial performance.
From growth-focused leadership appointments to transformation and succession planning initiatives, Robert Walters delivers tailored Consumer & Retail executive search solutions across the UK's consumer landscape. Our expertise spans operations, supply chain, marketing, digital, technology, people, finance and commercial leadership functions.
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Whether you are replacing a key executive or building out your senior leadership team, our specialists can help you secure the talent your organisation needs to perform.
Chief Executive Officer
CEO
The CEO is the highest-ranking executive in an organisation, responsible for setting strategic direction, driving performance and representing the business to its board, stakeholders and the market.
Chief Financial Officer
CFO
The CFO oversees the financial health of the organisation, leading financial planning, risk management, reporting and capital strategy to support sustainable growth and commercial decision-making.
Chief Technology Officer
CTO
The CTO leads the organisation's technology strategy, overseeing infrastructure, digital transformation and innovation to drive competitive advantage and operational capability.
Chief Operating Officer
COO
The COO is responsible for the day-to-day operational performance of the business, translating strategy into execution and ensuring the organisation runs efficiently and at scale.
Chief People Officer
CPO
The CPO is responsible for the organisation's people strategy, encompassing talent acquisition, culture, leadership development, employee experience and workforce planning.
Chief Commercial Officer
CCO
The CCO is responsible for revenue growth, customer acquisition and commercial strategy, aligning business objectives with market opportunities.
Chief Marketing Officer
CMO
The CMO leads brand, marketing and customer strategy, driving growth through market positioning and the development of campaigns that build brand equity, deepen audience connection and deliver measurable commercial results.
Executive assignments delivered for
Our Consumer & Retail Executive Recruiters
Ben Appleton
Business Director
Manchester, United Kingdom
With 20+ years of recruitment expertise, Ben partners with engineering and manufacturing organisations to secure transformational ...
Ben Litvinoff
Associate Director
London, United Kingdom
Ben leads Robert Walters' Technology, Transformation and GTM teams across UK&I. Recognised as an RW Global High Achiever 3 times, ...
George Mellor
Business Director
Manchester, United Kingdom
George has over 14 years' experience in executive search, consultancy and workforce solutions, specialising in senior commercial, ...
Howard Green
Business Director
London, United Kingdom
Howard Green leads executive search at Robert Walters, advising boards and CEOs on senior hires, succession and growth. Former sea...
Our track record
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47
Years of combined executive search experience across our team
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80%
Of clients return to us for their next executive search
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10
Week average time to place an executive leader in a new role
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100%
Of executives we have helped would recommend our services
Our executive insights
Explore more executive insights
Anabas Case Study
Anabas, a leading Facilities Management business for corporate workplaces, were confidentially looking for a successor to their Managing Director, who was transitioning into a Chairman role. The current MD and HR Director approached four Executive Search businesses, and Robert Walters was successful
Read More
Global Talent Solutions: Seadrill Case Study
Seadrill, a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest international offshore drilling organizations, engaged Robert Walters to act as their recruitment partner for a critical Global Tax Director search. With headquarters in Norway and plans to relocate to the UK within two to five years, Seadrill r
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European Finance Director
Our client, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, is a global leader in veterinary pharmaceuticals and related products. With operations spanning across multiple regions, Dechra focuses on delivering high-quality solutions to improve animal health and welfare. Headquartered in the UK, they have a strong presence
Read MoreWhat our clients say
At Robert Walters, we believe our success comes from the success of our clients and candidates. We're not just recruitment experts; we're partners in crafting your success story.
“From commencing the search to securing an accepted offer, the entire process was completed in just six weeks. For a Managing Director appointment, this was an exceptional achievement. Throughout the process, Howard maintained excellent communication, provided honest and balanced advice, and managed both candidates and stakeholders professionally and discreetly. The quality of the candidates presented was particularly impressive. Every individual introduced was credible, well-qualified and thoroughly assessed against our requirements. Howard demonstrated a strong understanding of both technical capability and cultural fit, ensuring that the shortlist reflected not only the skills required for the role but also the leadership style and values that were important to our organisation.”
Managing Director
Anabas
Fortune 500 Global Tax Director Search
"We were very pleased with the service provided by Robert Walters in our search for a new Global Tax Director. More specifically, we were impressed by their great ability to understand us as a client, including our culture, needs, and our industry. We felt that Robert Walters prioritized Seadrill’s requirements and kept in constant communication with us. The result has been that we have found an excellent resource and the process was made very simple."
“Robert Walters is truly great at their job—knowledgeable, supportive, and able to strike the right balance in communication, keeping you informed throughout the process at the right time and in the right way. They are genuinely focused on achieving the best outcome for all parties, and I have no hesitation in recommending them.”
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Our Executive Search team
Robert Walters Executive Search is the UK's specialist partner for C-suite, senior leadership and board appointments. As one of the leading Consumer & Retail executive search firms, we connect some of the UK's most influential retailers, consumer brands and FMCG organisations with the exceptional leaders they need to grow, transform and lead. Our Consumer & Retail executive recruiters combine deep market expertise with the reach of one of the world's most trusted talent solutions businesses.FAQs
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What is consumer executive search?
Consumer executive search is a specialist recruitment service focused on identifying and securing senior leaders for consumer-facing organisations. It involves a structured, research-driven process that goes beyond traditional recruitment to assess leadership capability, commercial expertise, cultural fit and long-term potential across retail, FMCG, e-commerce and consumer products businesses. -
What is retail executive search?
Retail executive search focuses on identifying senior leadership talent for retail organisations operating across physical stores, digital channels and omnichannel environments. The process helps businesses secure executives with the expertise needed to drive sales growth, customer experience and operational excellence. -
What are the benefits of partnering with a Consumer & Retail executive search firm?
Access to top talent: Consumer executive search, consumer goods executive search, FMCG executive search and retail executive search firms maintain extensive networks of senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, consumer products and e-commerce sectors, providing access to candidates who are often not actively seeking new opportunities.
Industry expertise: Our specialists understand the commercial, operational and customer-focused challenges facing consumer and retail organisations, ensuring candidates are assessed against the factors that matter most to long-term success.
Streamlined recruitment: We manage the end-to-end search process, from market mapping and candidate engagement through to assessment and shortlisting, helping organisations reduce hiring risk and secure exceptional talent efficiently.
Strategic advantage: Appointing proven leadership talent can strengthen commercial performance, enhance customer engagement, accelerate transformation initiatives and position businesses for sustainable growth in a competitive marketplace.
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What are the current executive hiring trends in the UK's consumer and retail sector?
Demand for senior leaders across the UK's consumer and retail sector remains strong as organisations continue to invest in digital transformation, customer experience, data analytics, omnichannel retailing and supply chain resilience.
There is growing demand for executives with expertise in e-commerce, digital marketing, category management, customer insights, ESG, supply chain optimisation and business transformation. Organisations are increasingly seeking leaders who can combine deep sector knowledge with the ability to drive innovation and deliver long-term strategic outcomes.
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Why use specialist Consumer & Retail headhunters?
Working with specialist Consumer & Retail headhunters provides access to senior leadership talent with the expertise needed to succeed in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving sector. Consumer and retail organisations face unique challenges, including changing consumer preferences, margin pressures, digital disruption and increasing competition.
Our Consumer & Retail executive search specialists understand the commercial, operational and strategic requirements of leadership roles across retail, FMCG, consumer goods, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer businesses. Through a targeted and research-led approach, we help organisations identify, assess and secure executives who can drive growth, strengthen customer relationships and deliver long-term business