Market Overview
As we approach mid-2025, the executive search market is showing a mix of resilience and recalibration across key regions. Leadership demand remains strong, but the conditions under which senior appointments are being made have evolved in response to macroeconomic shifts, new working models, and changing expectations from boards and investors.
United Kingdom
- The UK executive search market is expected to exceed £2.5bn in 2025, representing a 4% increase year-on-year.
- Private equity-backed companies account for over 30% of retained search activity, with particular demand for CFOs and Chief Commercial Officers whilst investors increasingly look to talent as a lever for value creation.
- 47% of FTSE 350 firms appointed at least one new non-executive director in the last 12 months, with a growing emphasis on digital experience.
- Regional leadership searches grew by 11% outside of London, particularly in Northern England and Scotland.
Hot Sectors: Financial services, private capital, healthtech, digital infrastructure.
United States
- The US still commands over 40% of the global executive search market, forecasted to hit $19.7bn by the end of 2025.
- CEO turnover hit 18% in Q1 2025, the highest quarterly rate in over five years.
- 65% of Fortune 500 companies are actively refreshing their boards, with a strong shift towards tech, ESG, and risk governance experience.
- Interim executive placements have grown by 29% year-on-year, signalling a shift in leadership strategy and succession planning.
Hot Sectors: AI, climate tech, consumer health, industrials, fintech.
Europe
- Continental Europe’s executive search market is expected to grow by 5.5% in 2025, with total revenues nearing €5.4bn.
- Germany and the Nordics represent over 50% of new C-suite placements in Western Europe.
- Cross-border searches now account for 38% of all retained executive assignments in Europe — up from 31% in 2023.
- 85% of European board-level appointments now require multi-market or international experience.
Hot Sectors: Clean energy, logistics, medtech, advanced manufacturing, luxury goods.
Key Trends to Watch
- AI-Capable Leadership: Over 60% of board-level search briefs in Q1 2025 included some form of AI or data transformation requirement, either explicitly or implicitly.
- Interim Executives: Interim C-level hires now represent 1 in 5 executive appointments in the UK and Northern Europe.
- Flexible Location Models: 72% of organisations are open to geographically flexible executive appointments, prioritising capability over location.
- Internal Succession: Organisations are looking more closely at internal succession planning for internal promotion to executive positions than they have previously.
The 2025 executive hiring landscape is a study in contrasts — cautious budgeting on one hand, and bold leadership moves on the other. Search firms that can navigate complexity and demonstrate sector fluency, speed, and reach will continue to command attention.
