C Suite Executive Search
Your next CEO, CFO or CTO will shape what your organisation becomes over the next five years. That is not an exaggeration. It is the reality of what a C suite appointment means for a business that is growing, restructuring or preparing for something new.
Adastrum Consulting is a retained executive search firm that places C suite leaders across the UK. We work with boards, investors and senior leadership teams to find executives who bring the right combination of commercial ability, strategic judgement and personal credibility. We do not fill vacancies. We appoint leaders who change the direction of the organisations they join.
Our retained search process is built on original leadership research, behavioural assessment and deep sector knowledge. We recruit CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, COOs, CHROs and board level appointments across technology, healthcare, life sciences, retail, energy, hospitality, media and education. Learn about our executive search approach in London
CFO Executive Search and CFO Recruitment
The CFO role has changed beyond recognition. Today, boards expect their finance leader to be a commercial strategist, not simply a custodian of the balance sheet. A strong CFO now shapes investor relations, guides capital allocation, oversees risk governance and often leads on digital transformation within finance operations.
We conduct CFO executive search mandates for organisations where the finance function is at the centre of strategic change. This includes PE backed businesses preparing for exit, public companies managing governance transitions and scaling businesses that need financial leadership to match their growth ambitions.
Our approach to CFO recruitment goes further than technical credentials. We assess how a candidate communicates with the board, how they manage commercial uncertainty and whether their leadership style is suited to the specific dynamics of your organisation.
CEO Executive Search
The CEO appointment is the single most consequential decision a board will make. The person you choose will define strategy, set culture and carry accountability for how the organisation performs under scrutiny.
We support boards and investors through CEO search mandates where the stakes are high and the margin for error is small. This includes founder succession, turnaround scenarios, PE backed leadership transitions and appointments into complex regulated environments.
Every CEO search begins with a detailed conversation about what success actually looks like in the first twelve months. Not a job description. A picture of what the business needs to become and who is capable of taking it there.
CTO Executive Search and CIO Recruitment
Technology leadership is no longer about managing infrastructure. A CTO or CIO in 2026 must connect technology investment to commercial outcomes, navigate cyber risk, lead product strategy and build engineering capability that delivers at the pace the business demands.
We place CTO and CIO candidates into organisations where technology is the competitive advantage, not just a support function. Our network includes technology leaders who have built and scaled platforms, led enterprise transformation programmes and managed the intersection of data, product and commercial strategy.
CTO recruitment is one of the most challenging searches in the market. The best technology leaders are rarely available through traditional channels. Reaching them requires a reputation for understanding what they do and what motivates them to consider something new.
COO Executive Search
The Chief Operating Officer carries one of the broadest mandates in any leadership team. A COO must bring together operations, commercial delivery, programme management and people leadership into a single, coherent function.
We conduct COO executive search for organisations that need operational leaders with genuine authority. Not administrators, but executives who can challenge how things are done, simplify what has become complex and build the processes that allow a business to scale with confidence.
CHRO Executive Search
The Chief Human Resources Officer sits at the centre of every conversation about talent, culture, workforce transformation and organisational design. In a market where talent risk is one of the top concerns for boards, the CHRO appointment is no longer a secondary consideration.
We recruit CHRO and Chief People Officer candidates who understand that people strategy and business strategy are the same conversation. Leaders who can partner effectively with the CEO, influence the board and lead the organisation through the kind of change that affects every employee.
Board and Non Executive Director Search
Strong governance requires board members who bring independence, sector knowledge and the confidence to challenge constructively. We support organisations in appointing Non Executive Directors, Chairs and advisory board members who add genuine strategic value.
Board level recruitment is different from executive hiring. It requires a nuanced understanding of governance dynamics, regulatory expectations and the interpersonal chemistry that makes a board effective. We bring that understanding to every board search we undertake.
Why We Look Beyond Your Sector
Most C suite search firms begin and end their research within a single industry. If you are a retail business looking for a COO, they will show you COOs from other retail businesses. That approach is safe, but it misses the leaders who would make the most significant impact.
At Adastrum, we bring a cross industry perspective to every search. A CFO from financial services might bring the governance discipline that a scaling technology business needs. A CTO from media might bring the product thinking that a healthcare organisation is looking for. We have seen first hand how the most successful C suite appointments often come from candidates that a single sector search would never have surfaced.
This is not a theoretical position. It is built into how we map markets, how we evaluate candidates and how we present recommendations to our clients.
Our Retained Search Process
We follow a structured, transparent retained executive search process that balances thoroughness with pace:
Stage 1
Briefing & stakeholder alignment
Things move fast here. You need leaders who can anticipate what comes next rather than just reacting to the current hype. We compete with dedicated technology executive search firms london by understanding the difference between a solid roadmap and a buzzword. If you need specific executive search technology london expertise to align technical skill with commercial goals, we know the people who can do it.
Stage 2
Market mapping
This sector requires a very steady hand. Precision medicine and shifting regulations mean mistakes are costly. We help you secure executives who can balance innovation with strict compliance. Unlike standard executive recruitment firms london, we understand that leadership here has a direct impact on patient care. We look for the people who can manage that pressure while pushing for better outcomes.
Stage 3
Targeted outreach
Sustainability is the priority for everyone right now. This sector needs leaders ready to modernise systems and champion clean energy without ignoring the risks. It is a difficult balance to strike. You are often dealing with ageing infrastructure on one hand and aggressive green targets on the other. We identify the individuals who can drive this transition and keep the lights on.
Stage 4
Assessment & evaluation
The days of the siloed legal department are gone. Client expectations are shifting and law firms are running more like lean businesses. We appoint senior legal professionals who understand that modern practice is about operational efficiency as much as it is about the law. We find the strategic leaders, from General Counsels to Partners, who can sit at the decision-making table and deliver confidence.
Stage 5
Client interviews & feedback
Institutions are facing huge changes in funding models and student expectations. It is no longer business as usual. We identify executives capable of leading this institutional change while protecting academic integrity. Running an educational body in 2026 requires a blend of academic respect and commercial sharpness. We find the leaders who can build capacity for the future without losing sight of the mission.
Stage 6
Offer management & onboarding support
The high street is a tough place to be. Omnichannel is the standard now and customer loyalty is hard to keep. Retail organisations need agile leadership to handle supply chain pressures and brand strategy simultaneously. We place the leaders who understand consumer data and can find growth even when the market is tight. It takes a specific type of resilience to succeed here and we know how to spot it.
Most C suite searches reach completion within ten to fourteen weeks. We set expectations clearly at the outset and provide regular updates throughout. Learn more about our approach to executive search.
Sectors We Serve Across London and the UK
We conduct C suite executive search across a range of sectors. Our sector leads bring established relationships and deep market knowledge within each industry:
Frequently Asked Questions
Insights to Secure Your Next Tech Leader
Discover our latest articles, expert analysis, and practical advice to help you identify, engage, and appoint top-tier tech-focused executives who will drive growth and transformation within your organisation. Gain invaluable insights on leadership development, executive search, and building a high-performing executive team.
