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Executive search and board advisory services for organisations with purpose

What We Do

Executive Search

Tailor-made search services designed to secure top candidates for Chief Executive and Director-level positions. Our research-intensive model emphasises character as much as competence.

Non-Executive Search

The rigour of our non-executive searches helps build boards of depth and breadth.

Board Review

Even the best run boards can lack the time and perspective to scrutinise their effectiveness. Our review process equips boards to grow in self-awareness and take ownership of their development.

Our Work

Our specialism is mission-minded organisations. As a result our work spans a range of sectors, keeping our thinking sharp and committing us to original research.

Our Approach

  • Championing

    We only work with organisations we can get behind, for whose causes we are excited to advocate. We work hard to ensure that we represent our clients faithfully and powerfully.

  • Connected

    All our work is highly relational. We seek to establish relationships that are meaningful and lasting, rather than transactional and short lived.

  • Curious

    A restless curiosity in people and organisations motivates us. We are dissatisfied with superficiality, but persist in asking probing questions to build holistic understanding of both clients and candidates.

  • Character

    We believe character trumps charisma. We search for those who lead by serving, rather than leading to be served.

  • "I remain gobsmacked that Carnelian found several outstanding candidates for such a specific yet broad job description."

    – Director, London-based arts charity

  • "Carnelian has helped us achieve a noticeable transformation of the Board, which I think makes us one of the most diverse and obviously skills-based boards in the charitable sector."

    – CEO, national charity working with marginalised communities

  • "What makes Carnelian unique is their bespoke approach to the search, being flexible in terms of the demands and constraints we defined in the applicant profile… I would highly recommend them as your go-to search firm."

    – CEO, microfinance INGO

  • "Carnelian offered us an individual and professional approach to board appointments over a significant period, managing succession planning with us and ensuring that the candidates that were put forward were highly suitable… Highly effective and a pleasure to do business with."

    – Chair, HMC school

  • "We hold Carnelian in the highest regard. Consummate professionals, friendly and approachable, they made a real effort to understand our culture and mission. It was evident that they had also taken great care to build strong relationships with the candidates they recommended to us."

    – Chair, national charity

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Our Approach

We are a boutique search firm. We focus our attention on a small number of searches at a time. We invest heavily in research that is broad and deep, while being carefully targeted in our engagement with candidates.

Diversity

It is easy to articulate a commitment to building diverse leadership teams. This can amount to little more than a tick-box exercise rather than a genuine interest in nurturing a culture where difference is treated with dignity and respect. We are unwilling to treat this topic in that manner. To hear more about our commitment to diversity and how that applies to your context, we would invite you to begin a conversation.

Begin a conversation