Navigating the complex landscape of talent acquisition and executive hiring for senior executives, wealth managers and family offices demands the expertise of top-tier recruitment consultants, headhunters, and executive search firms. These professionals play a critical role in connecting companies with the right talent, whether it’s for a high-stakes leadership position or specialised roles that are vital to business growth.
The advisers in the Spear’s recruitment index can dip deep into the talent pool to source specific individuals relating to a client’s precise set of requirements. The best recruitment consultants can even exceed expectations by taking into account the development of the talent in question, ensuring that they are a solid investment for years to come.
With their deep industry insights, extensive networks, and a keen understanding of what makes a perfect match, these firms are the go-to partners for organisations and individuals seeking to build and sustain a competitive edge.
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Recruitment consultants, head hunters & executive search companies: names to know
Billy Stephenson
Firm: Stephenson Executive Search
Billy Stephenson, founder of award-winning, family-owned boutique recruitment company, Stephenson Executive Search, says the business has thrived through a focus on appointments in family office, wealth management, and asset management sectors.
The firm partners with clients to appoint CEOs, CFOs, and heads of divisions, while prioritising diversity and representing clients in the wider market.
Read Billy Stephenson’s full profile at Spears500.com
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Chris Oxley – New Addition
Firm: Oxley & Partners
Chris Oxley, founder and managing director of Oxley & Partners, specialises in executive search for family offices, investment management firms, and private equity businesses. He stands out for his expertise in occupational psychology, which he believes gives him a unique advantage when communicating with clients and candidates.
Read Chris Oxley’s full profile at Spears500.com
Gina Le Prevost – Top Recommended
Firm: AP Executive
Gina Le Prevost is the founder and CEO of AP Executive, a global recruitment agency established in 1990 that specialises in wealth management, private family offices, trusts, funds, and fiduciary firms. AP Executive, part of AP Group, prides itself on finding the best candidates for clients across the globe. Their network spans more than 58 locations, and they assist entrepreneurs in establishing new family offices.
Read Gina Le Prevost’s full profile at Spears500.com
Alex Diffey – New Addition
Firm: Valentine Thomas
Partner at Valentine Thomas & Partners, Alex Diffey focuses on placing candidates in high-level positions. Recent positions he has closed include a COO role at a private bank and a co-head of UHNW coverage.
Read Alex Diffey’s full profile at Spears500.com
Adam Scarr – New Addition
Firm: Bayford Hale
Adam Scarr has more than 14 years’ executive search experience, working with boutique firms and FTSE 250 companies. He founded Bayford Hale in 2022 after six years as Coutts’ head of recruitment and focuses on placing frontline professionals in banks and wealth management firms, leveraging his network of contacts.
Read Adam Scarr’s full profile at Spears500.com
Harry West – New Addition
Firm: Stephenson Executive Search
Harry West, protege of Billy Stephenson (see above), has entered the Spear’s rankings as a rising star after quickly building an impressive client book, working with wealth management firms, family offices, and young talent.
Read Harry West’s full profile at Spears500.com
Methodology
In selecting and ranking the best recruitment consultants, head hunters & executive search companies HNW individuals, the Spear’s Research Unit conducts extensive research of the market, including interviews with well-informed observers, industry insiders and of course the advisers themselves. These take place both face-to-face, and on video and telephone calls. Candidates for inclusion are asked to fill in a form to provide data and a description of their work and client base. In finalising its selections and rankings, the Spear’s Research Unit employs a proprietary methodology that includes a weighted scoring system. This takes into account factors including an adviser’s standing, reputation, client base, recommendations and testimonials, the firm they represent, their level of engagement with the process and certain industry-specific criteria.
Best recruitment consultants, head hunters & executive search companies for HNW individuals: the complete list
Find out more
To explore all the Spear’s indices, and to use our find-an-adviser tool to identify the private client adviser who is right for your specific requirements, go to the Spear’s 500 website.
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