Executive Search

Through a structured, research-led approach, our Executive Search Service combines in-depth sector expertise, mapped headhunting, and inclusive search practices.

Executive Search for the charity sector

Whether you are looking to recruit your charity CEO, interim charity CEO or to your wider director and leadership team, our expert charity Executive Search consultants can help.

Prospectus brings a deep commitment to building inclusive organisations. We are passionate about diversity, equity and contributing to solutions that drive impact and change.

Last year 30% of our Chief Executive and leadership appointments were Black and People of Colour and 60% were female. In addition, 38% of our appointments brought experience from outside the not for profit sector, from organisations as diverse as Nintendo, Deloitte and British Gas.

Our approach to Executive Search recruitment

A high-quality executive search process is inclusive, collaborative, creative and well-resourced. Our experienced research and consultancy team offer expert insights into the challenges and opportunities across the sectors, and the leadership requirements needed to address them, gained through their networks, trustee roles and careers inside and outside the sector.

We typically appoint 120 leadership positions each year, with 75% of our appointments coming directly from our proactive search and headhunt.

We pride ourselves on building long term, high quality relationships resulting in 82% of our appointments being in place after two years.


What does a Search Consultant do?

There are many myths surrounding the Executive Search Process, and particularly while budgets are tight, you may wonder whether the cost is really worthwhile. Or, how exactly can a search consultant help your organisation?

With over 15 years of experience in executive search in the not-for-profit sector, Anna Gardet, explains some of the misconceptions of a search consultant’s role and how we can support you to source top-tier talent to lead successful, high-impact outcomes for your organisation and your beneficiaries.

Read More

What Our Clients Say

Enjoyed working with the team who understood our requirements and helped us run a professional process. Excellent support with a first sift of candidates and delivered a strong shortlist, resulting in the appointment of a Finance Director and CEO in recent months.

How likely are you to refer Prospectus?

Cathy

Trustee
Education for Health

Prospectus crucially found a good range of candidates for us and provided good insights to our recruitment panel. Our consultants went the extra mile to work with and meet the needs of our trustees.

How likely are you to refer Prospectus?

Gavin

Chair
Bevan Foundation

Executive Search Team

Executive Search Case Studies

Become
Role: Chief Executive Officer

Connect with a Executive Search Expert

Our specialist teams work with a diverse range of charities, trusts and foundations, membership bodies, universities and social enterprises to source and place exceptional candidates across the UK.

Executive Search Team ready to help you


  • Working with Prospectus was smooth and clear. They are very responsive. We had the right candidates for interview, saving us a lot of time in shortlisting
    Patricia Conti
    Creative and Brand Manager at Versus Arthritis

Diversity, equity and inclusion statistics

Our impact is through people.

Prospectus brings a deep commitment to building inclusive organisations. We are passionate about equity and contributing to solutions that drive impact and change society for the better.

We acknowledge the key role we have as recruiters and advisors in building boards and executive teams. To this end, we will challenge and champion what diversity, equity and inclusion means in the context of a search. In effort to offer more transparency to how we perform, and challenge ourselves to do better, we are publishing our statistics.

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Featured Jobs

War Child UK

Job #194808

Executive Head of Communications, Marketing and Campaigns

  • Location: London / Hybrid
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194808
  • Salary: Circa £75,000 per annum  
  • Closing Date: 31 May 2026 23:59:59
War Child UK is at a pivotal moment. As more children than ever are growing up affected by conflict, the need for their work has never been greater, and neither has the importance of connecting with the world and their key audiences […]
Closing Date: 31 May 2026 23:59:59
Education For Health

Job #194360

Chair

  • Location: Warwickshire / Hybrid
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194360
  • Salary: Unremunerated, with travel expenses paid
  • Closing Soon: 17 May 2026 23:59:59

Education for Health 
Chair 

Education for Health is a dynamic UK based health care charity. Their mission is to improve health outcomes for people with long term conditions by providing high quality education to the people […]

Closing Soon: 17 May 2026 23:59:59
The British American Drama Academy

Job #194764

Head of Development

  • Location: London (hybrid)
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194764
  • Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 per annum
  • Closing Date: 02 Jun 2026 23:59:59

The British American Drama Academy (BADA) was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, modern actor training rooted in British and European classical theatre traditions. They have a rich history of alumni support […]

Closing Date: 02 Jun 2026 23:59:59
War Child UK

Job #194721

Executive Head of Partnerships and Gaming

  • Location: London (hybrid)
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194721
  • Salary: Circa £70,000 per annum
  • Closing Date: 25 May 2026 23:59:59

Prospectus is excited to be working exclusively with War Child UK to help them recruit for the newly created role of Executive Head of Partnerships and Gaming. War Child was founded in 1993 by filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, […]

Closing Date: 25 May 2026 23:59:59
GLEN - Gambling Lived Experience Network

Job #194682

Chair

  • Location: UK-wide, with national travel expected
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194682
  • Salary: Unremunerated, though reasonable expenses will be reimbursed
  • Closing Date: 02 Jun 2026 23:59:59

Chair of the Board of Trustees
Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN)
Unremunerated (reasonable expenses reimbursed)
UK-wide | Approx. 1–2 days per month

The Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN) is seeking an inspirational and […]

Closing Date: 02 Jun 2026 23:59:59
Upreach

Job #194719

Director of Income Generation and External Engagement

  • Location: Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham or London
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194719
  • Salary: £70,000 to £80,000
  • Closing Date: 24 May 2026 23:59:59

Prospectus are delighted to be supporting upReach in the search for a new Director of Income Generation and External Engagement. 

upReach is one of the UK's leading social mobility charities and exists to help undergraduate […]

Closing Date: 24 May 2026 23:59:59