We find the best person to take your mission forward.
We find the best person to take your mission forward.
Finding the right person to take on a leadership position at a charity or social impact organisation is hard. Carnelian Search is a small, focused and mission-driven team dedicated to getting this important job right.
We focus on the appointment of board members, CEOs and their direct reports.
We take on only a handful of projects at a time, so we can give you the deeply personalised search process that is right for you. Our work is about people, not just processes. So we treat each client and every project individually. We take the time to properly understand your team, to ensure we find someone with just the right skills and experience to meet your needs.
If you have never used an executive search company before, we know just how to support you through our tried and tested method. And even if you’ve done this dozens of times, you’ll find Carnelian Search’s bespoke and thorough approach helps us fill even the most challenging position.
Ross Hendry has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of CARE (Christian Action Research and Education). Ross was previously CEO Spurgeons, a national children’s charity. He starts in the autumn of 2021.
“We appointed Carnelian to help us find a new Chief Executive to replace our existing CEO who was retiring after many years in post. Their work was very targeted, and we quickly found ourselves with a high-quality short-list from which we found a candidate who we felt was a perfect fit for the role. The search was handled impeccably, and we were kept informed of progress every step of the way. It was delivered on time and on budget. The team had a striking combination of both transparency and diplomacy, and I was impressed by their manifest honesty. I would certainly use them again.”Find out more
Our approach is tailored to the most senior and challenging appointments. We particularly enjoy developing strong partnerships with clients, listening well, conducting deep research, digging out the very best candidates, and crafting a bespoke approach to each search. We don't apply a one-size-fits-all formula.
This is what you can expect when partnering with us for your next executive search:
Excellent executive search requires deep thought, a rigorous attention to detail and painstaking research. We normally spend considerably longer on the research phase than most search firms in the sector. This is the best way to make sure no stone is unturned and is the best model for the most senior and challenging appointments.
Each search is led by a consultant who personally gives it dedicated and detailed attention. We deliberately take on only a small number of searches at a time.
We only take on projects for charities and other mission-focused organisations, which means we have a focus and expertise in your field. We understand what is unique about recruitment in this sector and where to look to find the best people.
People are not cogs in a machine and search cannot be a box-ticking process. Each search requires wisdom, discernment, relational sensitivity and creativity. Although good process is important, we love to be imaginative and go beyond the obvious solutions when conducting any search. We are not interested in a formulaic approach or easy-to-fill roles.
We only work with organisations when we believe deeply in what they do. You are not simply a client to us, but someone we are excited to partner with because we share your passion to make a difference. Fundamentally, we are mission-driven.
The way we work is different, because it is built on different values. Here’s what is important to us:
We aim for a highly-relational approach. We spend plenty of time with clients and candidates to get to know you well, so we can work together to make the best appointment. Good process is important, but candidates and clients are people, which makes executive search primarily about relationship.
Excellent search requires imagination and commitment. Our team is full of smart and dedicated people who believe in thorough, careful research. We get results because we put in the painstaking hours on each project.
Executive search is not about outsourcing but collaboration. We want to become partners with you, working as one team all pulling towards the same goal.
Good leaders don’t only have the right skills, but also the right heart. We look for character as well as competence in every search. And we hold ourselves to that same high standard to ensure we earn your trust too.
We have had the privilege of finding outstanding senior leaders for dozens of organisations with a social or charitable cause.
Here are some stories of successful searches from the last 12 months:
CARE is a Westminster-based charity whose mission is to bring a uniquely Christian insight to the policies and laws that govern life in the UK. Carnelian Search was appointed by the trustees to lead the search for a new Chief Executive after the previous CEO, Nola Leach, announced her plans to retire. Read on to find out more about this unique search.
Our experience is that charity Chair searches are often challenging. The fit with the existing organisation must be excellent. The incoming Chair needs to know she/he has the full support of the existing Board. The role unremunerated and the time commitment is significant.
We have much more on how Carnelian Search was able to help charities like yours.
Read the insights