Executive Search

Exceptional search. Lasting appointments.

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Saxton Bampfylde is a specialist executive search firm with forty years of experience and the right leadership, we have always believed, defines what an organisation becomes. We have advised on executive and board appointments across the private, public, and non-profit sectors, in the UK and internationally, across health and life sciences, higher education, government and public sector, arts and culture, legal and professional services, social impact, and beyond. We have seen that work play out in leaders who have gone on to shape industries, institutions, and societies in ways that endure.

That depth of experience informs how we work: we bring a rigorous, expert-led executive search model, genuine commitment to diverse talent, and an instinct for great leadership that goes well beyond a brief. We take a long-term view with every client relationship, and the appointments we make together reflect that.

Why Saxton Bampfylde?

  1. Sector wide, function deep, globally connected

    Our consultants know their practice areas with a depth that comes from years immersed in them, whether that is professional services, family-owned businesses, the arts, healthcare, education or the not-for-profit sector. They share knowledge and insight across the firm, which means our clients draw on expertise far broader than any single practice. Through our global Panorama partnership, we see patterns across industries that a narrower firm would miss. That combination of specialist knowledge and global reach shapes every search we run.

    Our consultants know their practice areas with a depth that comes from years immersed in them, whether that is professional services, family-owned businesses, the arts, healthcare, education or the not-for-profit sector. They share knowledge and insight across the firm, which means our clients draw on expertise far broader than any single practice. Through our global Panorama partnership, we see patterns across industries that a narrower firm would miss. That combination of specialist knowledge and global reach shapes every search we run.

    Right arrow Practice Areas

    Practice Areas

  2. One researcher. One search. Complete focus.

    Our researchers work on one search at a time, with complete focus. We have always believed that exceptional work requires sole focus, it gives our researchers the freedom to dig deeper and have conversations that reveal who someone really is. It is also why our placement success rate is 98%.

    Our researchers work on one search at a time, with complete focus. We have always believed that exceptional work requires sole focus, it gives our researchers the freedom to dig deeper and have conversations that reveal who someone really is. It is also why our placement success rate is 98%.

  3. 98% appointment success rate

    Our 98% placement success rate comes from the time we spend understanding what an organisation needs, and the honesty to say when a brief needs rethinking before it goes to market. After forty years, we know what makes a search successful and we have built our process around it.

    Our 98% placement success rate comes from the time we spend understanding what an organisation needs, and the honesty to say when a brief needs rethinking before it goes to market. After forty years, we know what makes a search successful and we have built our process around it.

  4. Long-term partnership

    Many of our clients use us time and time again, because they trust us as advisors, not just for a single search. We work alongside organisations as a leadership advisory partner, across succession planning, board reviews, executive coaching and market mapping. What we offer is an understanding of your organisation that deepens over time. We stay close after an appointment is made because your success is what we measure ourselves against.

    Many of our clients use us time and time again, because they trust us as advisors, not just for a single search. We work alongside organisations as a leadership advisory partner, across succession planning, board reviews, executive coaching and market mapping. What we offer is an understanding of your organisation that deepens over time. We stay close after an appointment is made because your success is what we measure ourselves against.

  5. Inclusivity as standard

    Our research model is built to go beyond the expected talent pools, mapping candidates others would not think to reach. That includes actively seeking out emerging talent and candidates from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, because we see that organisations led by people who reflect the world around them simply thrive. Our partnerships with diversity networks including EPOC and Onboard extend that reach further still.

    Our research model is built to go beyond the expected talent pools, mapping candidates others would not think to reach. That includes actively seeking out emerging talent and candidates from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, because we see that organisations led by people who reflect the world around them simply thrive. Our partnerships with diversity networks including EPOC and Onboard extend that reach further still.

    Right arrow Diversity, equity and inclusion

    Diversity, equity and inclusion

  6. Exceptional candidate care

    The people we work with are making life-changing decisions. We treat every candidate with the honesty, attention and respect they deserve. Clear feedback, thoughtful guidance, careful listening.

    The people we work with are making life-changing decisions. We treat every candidate with the honesty, attention and respect they deserve. Clear feedback, thoughtful guidance, careful listening.

Frequently asked questions

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Where do we find diverse leadership talent when our usual networks keep surfacing the same people?Toggle

One researcher, one search, complete focus, that’s our approach and it means we spend more time looking beyond obvious networks. Drawing on our global partnership and working with partners such as EPOC and Onboard, we access diverse talent and find people whose paths to leadership looked different.

What if this search needs to be handled with absolute discretion?Toggle

Whether it is a restructure, a sensitive leadership transition, market pressures or internal politics, we know how to conduct searches that protect everyone involved. Sensitivity comes as standard.

Can you find someone for a role that doesn't exist yet?Toggle

Yes. When you are shaping something that does not yet have a template, for instance, a merged function, an emerging discipline or a role that crosses traditional boundaries, we help you define what success looks like, and then find the person who can create it.

Our last hire didn't work out, how do we avoid making the same mistake twice?Toggle

We start by understanding what did not work and why, because the brief itself is often where a search goes wrong. A role defined too narrowly, or around the wrong priorities, will surface the wrong candidates however well the search is run. We will be honest with you about that before we go to market. From there, our process, the depth of research, the quality of assessment, the rigour of referencing, is designed precisely to surface what a faster, lighter search would miss.

Where experience shows

The figures behind our work.

  1. 450+ successful placements in 2025
  2. 55% of appointments since 2023 brought diversity across gender, ethnicity and disability
  3. 98% appointment success rate
  4. 400+ search experts through our global partnership Panorama
  5. 40 years shaping leadership
  6. 59% of searches come from clients who've worked with us before.

Rochester Bridge Trust

"They found us an excellent field of candidates, far better than we would have been able to reach by ourselves, and supported us through the whole shortlisting, interview and selection process. The service was expert, highly professional and supporting throughout."Sue Threader Chief Executive

Squire's Garden Centres

"We were impressed with the way the project was properly and thoughtfully resourced. The team took the time to understand the nature of our business and our values and really get to know us. This was instrumental in the smooth running of the process and its successful outcome."Sarah Squires Chair

British Red Cross

"Working with Saxton Bampfylde is always a pleasure, their dedication to finding a perfect match for both the organisation and the individual is outstanding, built on years of creating fantastic networks, and a genuine interest in, and understanding of, people."Liz Padmore Chair

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The right leader changes everything. Let’s find yours

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