The 7 Best UK Executive Search Firms in 2026

There comes a time in every business's development where it's necessary to look outside for fresh leadership perspectives. When that time comes, choosing the right executives to deliver them can determine the venture's ultimate success or failure. That makes the executive search process something no business can afford to take lightly. Still, only the largest firms have the recruiting wherewithal to go it alone—but few actually do.

Most turn to a cadre of well-known executive search firms to handle the job for them. Unfortunately, it isn't always easy to choose the right one for the job. After all, most prominent industry players boast similar capabilities. However, some differentiators set the best of the best apart from the competition. Here is an overview of the seven best executive search firms operating in the UK as of 2026, along with what each has to offer.

1. Spencer Stuart

Business leaders throughout the UK should be quite familiar with Spencer Stuart. After all, they've published the industry benchmark, UK Board Index, for 30 years now. It's the de facto standard UK businesses use to gauge the practices and efficacy of their boards. As you might expect, Spencer Stuart is the industry leader in board and senior management placements across a wide range of UK industries. Spencer Stuart has a large footprint in the UK, but also maintains offices worldwide, giving clients access to one of the largest talent networks in the world. And, their analytics-driven governance benchmarking makes them a leading advisory partner of countless FTSE boards. To learn more about Spencer Stuart, visit them at https://www.spencerstuart.com/.

2. Novoexec

Most executive search firms operating in the UK are divisions of large multinational companies. That's not the case with Novoexec. It's a UK-based, privately-held executive search firm staffed by some of the country's most experienced hands. Its leadership team comprises seasoned industry veterans with decades of direct experience in handling executive search campaigns. The fact that Novoexec is an independent firm also means its clients don't have to worry about conflicts of interest or off-limits restrictions, which are common with larger multinationals. And despite being UK-based, Novoexec has successfully run executive search campaigns in over 35 countries. They also boast a 100% director retention rate over the past decade. So, they're among the most stable firms a business can partner with. To learn more about Novoexec, visit them at https://novoexec.com/.

3. Norman Broadbent

It's impossible to discuss executive search in the UK without mentioning Norman Broadbent. They were the first UK-headquartered executive search firm, established in 1979. They haven't managed to stick around so long by accident. They've done it through a laser focus on midmarket clients, where they specialise in both interim management placements and long-term succession planning. Plus, they emphasise high-touch service, making them an excellent partner for firms undertaking their first major executive search efforts. Norman Broadbent has also served a diverse range of UK businesses over the years, from start-ups to FTSE 100 firms. And they've successfully placed leaders in 79 countries, a feat few others have equalled. To learn more about Norman Broadbent, visit them at https://www.normanbroadbent.com/.

4. Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is one of the undisputed market leaders in worldwide executive search services. Their London office is massive, with over 1,200 specialists and support staff, speaking a combined total of 35 languages. That makes them the perfect partner for firms with cross-border business interests or multinational hiring needs. Korn Ferry also offers some capabilities you simply can't get elsewhere. Case in point: the Korn Ferry Talent Suite digital platform. It brings an unprecedented combination of data analytics, learning management, and talent assessment functionality to the table. Businesses can use it to manage all aspects of their talent management, development, and acquisition processes. Few competitors can offer anything like it. To learn more about Korn Ferry, visit them at https://www.kornferry.com/uk.

5. Odgers

Odgers is the largest executive search firm in the UK. As such, they maintain a robust presence in all the major business centres nationwide. That gives them a natural advantage in understanding local talent pools and labour conditions. Their massive local networks make Odgers a perfect fit for regional UK firms seeking new executive talent. However, Odgers is also no slouch on the international side of things. They maintain a presence in 33 countries and boast sector-specific teams of experts, so they're a great fit for UK-based multinationals, too. To learn more about Odgers, visit them at https://www.odgers.com/en-gb/.

6. Egon Zehnder

Few UK executive search firms can claim to have worked with 67% of FTSE 100 companies. Egon Zehnder is one of them. They've assisted with or overseen countless CEO, board, and C-suite succession efforts since opening their doors in the UK in 1970. They've built their reputation by embracing a relationship-driven client service model. As a result, they're the type of company that clients tend to stick with. Plus, Egon Zehnder's UK office is its largest, so they have plenty of local resources to devote to executive search campaigns across the British Isles. To learn more about Egon Zehnder, visit them at https://www.egonzehnder.com/.

7. Savannah Group

Where most executive search standouts in the UK leverage large contact networks built over decades, Savannah Group bills itself as a "Next Generation Executive Search" firm. In practise, that means embracing a totally data-driven approach to the work. Savannah Group bases its offerings around its proprietary MapX platform. It leverages the latest AI technology to deliver faster talent discovery and acquisition than you may find elsewhere. They're also a mid-sized boutique firm, making them a great fit for growing SMEs and technology-oriented clients. To learn more about Savannah Group, visit them at https://savannah-group.com/.

A Fit for Any Executive Search Need

Among the top executive search firms detailed here, every UK business is sure to find a great fit for their needs. From well-known multinational giants to UK-oriented experts, there's a bit of something for everyone among the group. However, it's worth consulting a few of your preferred options before settling on a partner. After all, an executive search isn't always something you'll get multiple chances to get right, so due caution is essential.