About us.

Sustainability & ESG Recruitment Specialists.

Permanent recruitment and executive search for the leaders driving real environmental and social impact — across the UK, US and Europe.

Who we are

Farrell Associates is a Certified B Corp executive search firm for ESG and sustainability leadership. We have been placing people in sustainable finance and corporate sustainability since 2010, across the UK, US and Europe.

We are small by design: Neil Farrell and Becky Jenkins, and nobody else. We take on the searches we can run properly, for businesses we would want to work with again.

What we do.

Permanent search is what we do. Interim on request.

We work for asset managers and asset owners, ESG data and stewardship technology businesses, impact and development finance, corporates, and private equity portfolio companies.

We place heads of sustainability and ESG, responsible investment and stewardship leads, sustainable finance and impact investment professionals, and the commercial and product people who sell and build ESG data. We also run chief executive and C-level searches for specialist firms and non-profits.

How we work

Every search starts with forty-five minutes with the hiring manager on what the person will actually have to do.

Then we go directly to people who are not looking. Most of the people we place were not on the market when we called. We interview for motivation as much as experience, and we send a shortlist inside one to two weeks.

Why Farrell Associates

B Corp certified. We meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance — rare among search firms, and a signal of how we run our own business, not just who we place.

Specialists, not generalists. Sustainability and ESG is all we do.

A 34,000+ network across the UK, US and Europe, built over 15 years in this market.

Proven results. 200+ placements since 2010. 95% of placements come from our first shortlist, delivered in one to two weeks. See a selection of the roles we have filled.

Request a call

Meet the Team.

  • Neil Farrell, Founder of Farrell Associates

    Neil Farrell - Founder

    Neil founded Farrell Associates in 2010, convinced that the organisations driving the sustainability transition deserve a search partner who truly understands their world. Today he leads the firm's executive and permanent search across ESG, sustainability and sustainable finance, advising investors and businesses on their most senior hires.

  • Becky Jenkins, Finance & Operations Director at Farrell Associates

    Becky Jenkins - Finance & Operations Director

    Becky leads finance and operations at Farrell Associates, keeping the business running smoothly so the search team can focus on clients and candidates. She oversees the firm's B Corp reporting and operational standards, ensuring Farrell delivers on its commitments to clients and to its own values.

Responsible investment. ESG data and stewardship tech. Impact finance. Corporate sustainability. Private equity and portfolio companies.

Responsible investment. ESG data and stewardship tech. Impact finance. Corporate sustainability. Private equity and portfolio companies.

  • “A real partner in my hiring processes. I found the entire team professional and knowledgeable. The result: hiring an excellent and diverse group of bright, enthusiastic, and thoughtful talent which contributed to differentiated and professional teams.”

    CEO

  • “Neil is the best headhunter in the industry. He has helped us with searches in the past, and is very well connected ”

    Global Head of Asset Stewardship

  • “Brilliant team, and truly a service that stands out with its bespoke approach to both employee and employer—far beyond traditional recruitment! The process was professional, smooth, and genuinely enjoyable from start to finish.”

    Net zero & sustainability lead

  • ''Just want to say thank you again for your fantastic advice, it gave me the confidence boost I was in need of and I feel like I had the right headspace for the exam after our discussion. Really appreciate your generosity!!''

    Candidate

  • “Neil is hard working, professional and approaches his work with complete integrity. Neil found me a role I love, tailored to my strengths and ensured the whole process was as transparent and efficient as possible. He was a genuine pleasure to work with and has followed up rigorously and in an informative manner.”

    Group head of Sustainability

  • “The most valuable piece was the briefing about the company’s culture and values. It really helped me to understand the firm I was applying to better.”

    Human rights and ESG Associate Director

  • “Your team nailed the entire recruitment process, despite the unforeseen minor delays from the employer's side.”

    Sustainability lead

  • ''Thanks so much for organising this webinar - very very insightful!'' ''Thank you so much for providing this forum and sharing your insights. Very much appreciated!'' ''Neil and Stephanie thank you for holding this. It has been very useful. Good luck to everyone.'' ''It was a pleasure meeting you during today's Q&A session. I really appreciated your insights and answers.

    Sustainability Recruitment Webinar Feedback