ESG & sustainability executive search
Permanent search for sustainability leadership in finance and business. UK, US and Europe.
Request a callWho we place
We place the people who lead sustainability and responsible investment, and the commercial people who sell and build the data behind it.
- Chief executives and C-level leaders for specialist firms and non-profits
- Heads of sustainability and ESG
- Responsible investment and stewardship leads
- Sustainable finance and impact investment professionals
- The commercial and product people who sell and build ESG data
Searches by specialism
More on how we run each kind of search, the roles we fill and what makes them hard.
Who we work for
Our clients include LGPS pension pools, boutique and global asset managers, ESG data and stewardship technology businesses, impact finance institutions and PE-backed companies.
- Asset managers and asset owners
- ESG data and stewardship technology businesses
- Impact and development finance
- Corporates
- Private equity portfolio companies
- Non-profits
How a search runs
Every search follows the same five steps, and the person you brief is the person who runs it.
- The kickoff. Forty-five minutes with the hiring manager on what the person will actually have to do in the role.
- The approach. We go directly to people who are not looking. Most of the people we place were not on the market when we called.
- The interviews. We interview for motivation as much as experience, so the people you meet want this role and can explain why.
- The shortlist. You receive a shortlist inside one to two weeks. 95% of our placements come from it.
- Offer to start date. We stay close through offer, notice period and the first months in the role.
Permanent search is what we do. Interim on request.
Track record
Questions we are asked
How do your fees work?
We agree fees and terms with you before a search starts, and we will talk you through them on a first call.
How long does a search take?
You will have a shortlist inside one to two weeks of the kickoff. After that the timing depends on your interview process and the notice period of the person you appoint.
Who runs the search?
The person you brief. We are a two-person firm, so there is no handover to a researcher.
Do you only fill permanent roles?
Permanent search is what we do. We take on interim assignments on request.
Where do you work?
Across the UK, US and Europe.
Are you a B Corp?
Yes. Farrell Associates is a Certified B Corp. You can read more on our impact page.