murmuration-video-fallback-mobile.jpg

Executive Search

Organisations flourish under leaders who bring integrity and character as much as skill and experience. Our searches are crafted around each organisation and role. Our approach is thoughtful, relational and research-intensive.

Senior Appointments

We work only on C-suite and Director level positions. Finding a new CEO or Director can be a complex time for an organisation, and our expertise is narrowly-targeted, so we can partner with organisations in these moments. 


Missional Organisations

Our specialism lies in organisations who have a purpose beyond profit. All our clients have charitable aims or are socially-minded, and many are faith-based organisations. We work cross-sector, keeping our thinking sharp and our network broad.


Character and Skill

A leader must be a person of integrity, prepared to serve others at cost to themselves, building relationships of trust, growth and transparency. We search for both character and competency,  believing both are essential. 

Our Clients

We partner with organisations from across different sectors, but what our clients have in common is their mission-minded nature. The exact requirements of each search are always unique.

  • "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

  • “The Carnelian team took the time to understand our peculiar regulatory needs, they left no stone unturned in identifying all potential candidates, they provided all the support we had hoped for, and communication was excellent throughout the process."

    – CEO, for-purpose bank

  • “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

Our Insights

Our research reports explore leadership and senior recruitment issues in the sectors we serve. We also write shorter quarterly reflections, which alongside our reports form the content of The Carnelian Quarterly newsletter.

Shepherding Success

The critical relationship between chair and CEO in faith-based organisations.

Firm Foundations

Reflections on the recruitment of successful COOs in the cathedral sector.

Begin a conversation