Executive Search

We are a small, experienced organisation — and we understand that every appointment is unique. While we follow a structured process, no two searches are ever the same. Here’s an overview of how we typically work:

Getting to know you

Kate and Jenny believe that the key to a successful appointment is a deep, nuanced understanding of your school or organisation — including your values, culture, community, and future ambitions. We love spending time with your teams, talking to students, and listening to different perspectives on what kind of leader will thrive in your context. These insights shape everything that follows.

Projecting a compelling image of you and the role

We would work with you to shape an appointment brief that is both attractive and authentic — one that reflects who you are and what you’re looking for in a leader. Alongside the job description and person specification, we highlight the broader lifestyle considerations that come with an international move. Kate’s long-standing relationship with Dubai gives her unique insight into how best to communicate this to prospective candidates.

Searching for potential candidates

Kate is a highly experienced research expert who, through meticulous market mapping and conversations with trusted sources, often finds candidates who don’t yet know they’re looking! Together with Jenny‘s knowledge of the independent and state sectors, we are able to identify schools with strong leadership talent and reach out to candidates thoughtfully and discreetly. While we can supplement this with advertising if desired, we find the best candidates often come through careful research and personal recommendations.

Achieving best experience and cultural fit

Open and honest conversations with candidates from the very beginning help us understand whether an international move is truly right for them — and just as importantly, for their families.
Through informal conversations, structured interviews, and referencing, we explore each candidate’s motivations, values, and leadership style. When we present a shortlist, you can be confident these are not only highly capable individuals, but also people who are genuinely aligned with your school’s ethos and direction.

Supporting you in interviewing the strongest candidates

Every organisation is different when it comes to interview involvement — we tailor our support accordingly. We are happy to coordinate logistics, develop interview questions or tasks, arrange psychometric assessments, and brief your panel. Jenny brings extensive leadership experience, and is available to support or attend as needed. We value being involved at this stage — it allows us to offer meaningful feedback to all candidates, including those not selected.

Securing a successful appointment

Once you’ve selected your preferred candidate, we take up full references, support safeguarding checks, and guide both sides through the offer and negotiation stages. But our work doesn’t stop there. We stay in touch during the early months of transition, offering informal support and formal onboarding or coaching where needed. Our goal is to help your new leader settle into both the role and the region with confidence.

Kate and Jenny are personally involved at every stage. We build strong, trusting relationships with our clients and believe that it’s through this kind of partnership — as trusted advisors and advocates — that truly outstanding appointments are made.