Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Recruitment

Our CEO Executive Search Services

The right CEO changes everything – performance, culture and long-term value. The right executive search partner helps you find that leader with clarity and confidence.

Partner with Novo to appoint a CEO who can lead your organisation forward.

Speak with a CEO search expert.

The Search for the Right CEO

Appointing a new CEO is one of the most critical decisions a board or shareholder group will ever make. The right CEO defines corporate strategy, shapes organisational culture, and drives performance across the organisation. CEO executive search, however, is complex, and brings unique challenges. Clarifying the balance between strategic vision, operational leadership and cultural fit, is as challenging as gaining access to a pool of exceptional candidates.

A successful CEO executive search is not simply about filling a vacancy. It is about identifying and securing a leader who will steer your organisation forward.

This is where our distinct approach adds value. We combine rigorous, intelligence-led research with our deep network of C-suite leaders, assessing leaders not just on experience, but on strategic alignment, leadership capability and long-term impact, looking beyond the CV to assess true strategic fit.

CEO Specialist

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Looking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer?

Contact Novo for a confidential discussion.

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CEO Specialist

Jon Hollier

Founding Director

Looking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer?

Contact Novo for a confidential discussion.

Call now

Email now

CEO Specialist

George Woodward

Director

Looking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer?

Contact Novo for a confidential discussion.

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Our Consultative Approach to CEO Recruitment

At Novo Executive, our CEO recruitment process is designed to support confident decision-making at board level. It is meticulous, discreet, and tailored to your organisation’s priorities.

Discovery & Definition: We start by listening. Working closely with your board and senior stakeholders, we take time to understand your strategy, culture, challenges and leadership qualities required for success.
Talent Mapping & Search: We map the market thoroughly, using our established and extensive networks to identify and engage senior leaders, including senior executives and C-suite talent not actively seeking a move.
Rigorous Assessment: Candidates are assessed through interviews, evaluation tools, and detailed referencing, allowing you to make informed comparisons based on leadership capability, track record and cultural alignment.
Engagement & Offer Management: We support you through expert negotiation and offer structuring, ensuring alignment between candidate expectations and organisational objectives.
Onboarding & Integration: Our partnership continues beyond appointment. . We help support a smooth transition, positioning your new CEO for early impact and sustained success.

Discover how our team can recruit top talent for your business

Book a confidential discovery call with our executive search team

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Why Partner with Novo Executive for CEO Executive Search?

Choosing a CEO search partner is a strategic decision. Clients work with Novo Executive because we combine sector insight, search expertise and a genuinely consultative approach.

95% Placement Success Rate: Our track record reflects long-lasting CEO appointments that deliver growth, turnaround outcomes and significant shareholder value.

Speed & Certainty: In a discipline where time is critical, our process is remarkably efficient. 90% of our executive search assignments reach the offer stage within six weeks, helping minimise disruption while maintaining rigour in leadership transition

Specialist C-Suite Expertise: Our consultants bring decades of specialised experience in CEO and board-level appointments, with insight into what effective CEO leadership looks like.

Global Candidate Access: We engage senior leaders worldwide, expanding your reach beyond visible or accessible talent pools.

Absolute Discretion: CEO searches demand confidentiality. Discretion is embedded into every stage of our process.

Commitment to Excellence: As members of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), we operate to the highest ethical and professional standards..

Testimonials

Novo’s Legal Team were retained to recruit a Partner. Through a targeted and comprehensive headhunting assignment process Novo were successful in appointing an excellent Partner for the practice.

Bray & Bray Solicitors

“My personal experience with Novo was really good. They had all the information I needed whilst being professional, discreet and considerate, which ultimately made the whole process extremely smooth.” Account Director, Catalina Marketing

Catalina Marketing

Novo supported us with carefully selected executive and non-executive search campaigns; all three roles were successfully filled. Thank you.

Central Bedfordshire Council

We were delighted with Novo’s work and efforts. Theye significantly contributed to achieving our goal. We therefore would have no hesitation in recommending Novo to any other organisation looking for help or advice in executive recruitment.

Chiorino UK Ltd

As a result of Novo’s commitment and hard work we have acquired five very good businesses; a great team effort. We plan to embark on a third round of acquisitions next year and will have no hesitation in choosing Novo as a partner.

Clearsprings Support Services Ltd

Industry Expertise in CEO Executive Search

Our CEO executive search experience spans a wide range of sectors and organisational contexts.
Whether supporting a technology scale-up, a manufacturing group or a complex public-sector organisation, we tailor each search to your market, competitive environment and strategic goals.

Our sector experience includes Aviation and Defence, Construction, and Technology, service-driven industries such as Finance and Law, emerging fields such as Sustainability and Renewable Energy, as well as extensive work across the Public and Nonprofit sectors.

This breadth allows us to identify leaders who bring both transferable leadership capability and the sector-specific insight needed to succeed in your organisation.

We don’t just find a great leader. We find the right person for your unique market position, competitive landscape, and strategic goals.

Our proven portfolio spans foundational sectors like

Case Studies

Identifying a Managing Director to Lead Strategic Growth for a Market-Leader in the PropTech Sector

Appointing a Chief Financial Officer to Support Global Growth in a Leading Architectural Practice

Appointing a Director of IT to Power Transformation at a Leading UK Airport

Strategic Succession: Managing Director Hired to Drive Akela Construction Forward

Gentex Corporation Appoints Human Resources Director to Lead European People Strategy

Executive Search Success: Technical Innovation and Commercial Lead Placements for tesa SE

Securing Strategic Leadership: Director of the Executive Office Hired for World Sailing

Appointing Leadership for Impact: Uniting Operational Excellence Across Two Businesses

Hiring an Operations Director to Power Addo Play Global Growth

Identifying a Managing Director to Lead Strategic Growth for a Market-Leader in the PropTech Sector

Appointing a Chief Financial Officer to Support Global Growth in a Leading Architectural Practice

Appointing a Director of IT to Power Transformation at a Leading UK Airport

Strategic Succession: Managing Director Hired to Drive Akela Construction Forward

Gentex Corporation Appoints Human Resources Director to Lead European People Strategy

Executive Search Success: Technical Innovation and Commercial Lead Placements for tesa SE

Securing Strategic Leadership: Director of the Executive Office Hired for World Sailing

Appointing Leadership for Impact: Uniting Operational Excellence Across Two Businesses

Hiring an Operations Director to Power Addo Play Global Growth

Book a confidential discovery call with our executive search team

Book a call

Our CEO Executive Search Specialists

Matthew Searle

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Jon Hollier

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George Woodward

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Dale Perrett

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A Global Network for CEO Recruitment

While deeply rooted in the UK market, our CEO executive search capability is global.. We regularly support international CEO appointments, sourcing top-tier talent from across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. If your CEO executive search requires a global perspective, we have the reach and expertise to support you.

Start an International Search

Global Presence

Discover how we can help you appoint exceptional leadership talent for your business

Book a confidential call with one of our executive search Directors

Book a call

Current Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Roles

Managing Director

Salary: Excellent package

Our client is a market-leading high-end construction and fit-out contractor based in Central London, with over 40 years’ experience delivering exceptional projects across the prime residential, retail, commercial, hospitality and arts sectors.…

CEO/MD
Construction and Property
London

Job Ref No: MD RM 12/25
Date Added: 07-01-2026

More Details

Managing Director EMEA

Salary: Highly Competitive Package + Bonus + Benefits

Our client is a global Tier 1 supplier of automotive products and accessories serving both private and commercial vehicle markets. With a long-standing reputation for quality, innovation, and customer focus, the business is entering an exciting phase of strategic growth and transformation across its EMEA operations.…

CEO/MD
Manufacturing
England, United Kingdom

Job Ref No: MD RM 11/25
Date Added: 13-11-2025

More Details

UK Country Managing Director

Salary: Six figure salary plus executive package

Our client is a manufacturer of logistics solutions supplied across multiple sectors. Their innovative and durable solutions enable businesses to move, handle, and distribute goods swiftly, safely, and securely.

The incoming UK Country Managing Director will hold full UK P&L responsibility, driving commercial performance, operational efficiency and long-term growth. This individual will be expected to strengthen existing customer relationships whilst unlocking new routes to market, ensuring the UK becomes a strategic growth hub for the Group.…

CEO/MD Sales/Business Development Strategy/Planning
Manufacturing
West Midlands Region

Job Ref No: MD JW 10/25
Date Added: 21-10-2025

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Divisional Managing Director

Salary: Competitive salary, bonus and incentives

Our client is a multi-million turnover manufacturing business servicing a broad range of clients with their range of building products & solutions. Their product range is used in a wide range of applications and services both internal and external construction needs.…

CEO/MD
Construction and Property Manufacturing
Hertfordshire (GB)

Job Ref No: DMD - JW 09/25
Date Added: 10-09-2025

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Managing Director (Event Management Sector)

Salary: Competitive Base + Package

Our client is a specialist and well-known event management sector business that operates throughout the country. This highly successful company is known for its provision of event infrastructure such as marquees, installations and temporary buildings, operating from branches throughout the UK.…

CEO/MD
Sports & Leisure
Bristol (City Centre), Bristol (GB)

Job Ref No: GWEvents 09/25
Date Added: 10-09-2025

More Details

View All Sectors Roles

Insights

From Expectations to Essentials: What 2026 Executive Candidates Will Prioritise

Executive Hiring Trends for 2026: What’s Next?

The Shifting Leadership Landscape: What 2026 Will Demand from Boards

The New Rules of Executive Hiring, What 2025 Taught Every Board

The Reasons Female Executives Get Ahead Quickly but Leave Sooner

The Quiet Power of Interim Executive Leaders in Uncertain Markets

Will Workplace Leaders Still Exist in 2030?

Interim Executive Management: From Gap-Filler to Strategic Stabiliser

How to Tell if Your Leadership Team is Holding Back Growth

The Quiet Power of Continuity: Executive Board Changes Across UK Companies in 2025

Culture Isn’t Soft: Why Boards Must Lead with Cultural Intelligence

Why Culture Shapes Digital Change

How Leadership Breaks Down and What Resilient Organisations Do Differently

The Modern CHRO: From Policy Guardian to Boardroom Powerhouse

Leadership Agility: The New Competitive Advantage

Why Hiring Strategy Starts with Culture

Rethinking Support for an Ageing Workforce

The Rise of Job Hugging in the UK

Using AI to Improve Employee Experience and Innovation

Turning Up the Volume on Female Leadership

Executive Hiring in 2026: The Trends Boards Can’t Afford to Miss

Board Culture: The Invisible Force That Can Make or Break a Business

Executive Search vs Internal Recruiters for Senior Hires

How to Use Talent Insights for Better Succession Planning

Creating a High-Performing Leadership Team: Where to Start

From Expectations to Essentials: What 2026 Executive Candidates Will Prioritise

Executive Hiring Trends for 2026: What’s Next?

The Shifting Leadership Landscape: What 2026 Will Demand from Boards

The New Rules of Executive Hiring, What 2025 Taught Every Board

The Reasons Female Executives Get Ahead Quickly but Leave Sooner

The Quiet Power of Interim Executive Leaders in Uncertain Markets

Will Workplace Leaders Still Exist in 2030?

Interim Executive Management: From Gap-Filler to Strategic Stabiliser

How to Tell if Your Leadership Team is Holding Back Growth

The Quiet Power of Continuity: Executive Board Changes Across UK Companies in 2025

Culture Isn’t Soft: Why Boards Must Lead with Cultural Intelligence

Why Culture Shapes Digital Change

How Leadership Breaks Down and What Resilient Organisations Do Differently

The Modern CHRO: From Policy Guardian to Boardroom Powerhouse

Leadership Agility: The New Competitive Advantage

Why Hiring Strategy Starts with Culture

Rethinking Support for an Ageing Workforce

The Rise of Job Hugging in the UK

Using AI to Improve Employee Experience and Innovation

Turning Up the Volume on Female Leadership

Executive Hiring in 2026: The Trends Boards Can’t Afford to Miss

Board Culture: The Invisible Force That Can Make or Break a Business

Executive Search vs Internal Recruiters for Senior Hires

How to Use Talent Insights for Better Succession Planning

Creating a High-Performing Leadership Team: Where to Start

Find Your Next CEO

We partner with boards and shareholders to appoint CEO leaders who deliver performance and long-term value.

If you are ready to begin your CEO executive search, speak with our team for a confidential discussion to explore how we can support your organisation.

Book a Confidential Consultation