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SGI
Search

Executive & Specialist Leadership

Executive and Specialist Leadership.

The people who shape what comes next.

The most important appointments rarely start with a job description. They start with an ambition, a challenge or a change the business needs to make.

SGI Search provides executive search, specialist leadership search and market intelligence for organisations navigating growth and transformation. We combine deep sector and technology expertise with rigorous research to map relevant talent markets, engage exceptional people and secure leaders capable of making an impact.

Across Financial Services, Life Sciences and specialist technology markets, we support executive appointments, functional leadership, transformation leadership and critical specialist search.

 

Why Choose Retained Search?

Retained Search is designed for organisations that cannot afford to compromise on talent quality.

Unlike traditional contingent recruitment, our retained model provides:

  • Dedicated search team focused exclusively on your requirement
  • Full market mapping and talent intelligence
  • Access to passive and hidden talent pools
  • Guaranteed delivery through a structured process
  • Enhanced candidate assessment and cultural alignment
  • Confidential search capability for sensitive hires

Our approach ensures that every search receives the time, resources, and expertise required to identify the very best talent on the market.

Retained Search

Frequently Asked Questions

Retained search is a strategic recruitment solution where an organisation partners exclusively with a recruitment provider to identify, engage, and secure high-calibre talent for critical or hard-to-fill positions. Unlike contingent recruitment, retained search involves a dedicated search process, proactive market mapping, and a structured recruitment methodology.

Retained search is typically used for senior leadership roles, niche technology positions, confidential hiring projects, or roles where there is a limited talent pool. It is also effective when organisations require a more consultative and targeted search approach.

 

Contingent recruitment focuses on filling vacancies on a success-only basis and often relies on active candidates. Retained search uses a dedicated and exclusive approach, allowing recruiters to proactively engage passive talent, conduct detailed market research, and provide a more comprehensive hiring process.

 

SGI supports retained search assignments across technology leadership, software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud, infrastructure, ERP, data & analytics, AI, digital transformation, and executive appointments including CIO, CTO, CISO, and Director-level hires.

 

Timescales vary depending on role complexity and market conditions. However, retained search provides a structured delivery approach with agreed milestones, market mapping, candidate shortlisting, interview management, and regular progress reporting throughout the process.

 

Get in Touch.

The right appointment can change what happens next.

Whether you're building a leadership team, navigating transformation or searching for expertise that's difficult to find, start the conversation with SGI Search.

Talk to our Search team.