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?

We explain 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

Anti-Slavery International

Job #195147

Chief Executive

  • Location: London (Hybrid)
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #195147
  • Salary: £93,600 per annum
  • Closing Date: 09 Aug 2026 23:59:59
Lead one of the world's oldest and most influential human rights organisations Chief Executive Anti-Slavery International Salary: £93,600 per annum London | Hybrid working Anti-Slavery International is the world's oldest […]
Closing Date: 09 Aug 2026 23:59:59
Porchlight

Job #195235

Treasurer

  • Location: Kent (Or Surrounding Areas)
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #195235
  • Salary: Voluntary position (reasonable expenses reimbursed)
  • Closing Date: 05 Aug 2026 23:59:59

Porchlight Treasurer
Voluntary position (reasonable expenses reimbursed)
Time Commitment: Four Board meetings per year, held in person, and four online Finance and Risk Committee meetings. There will also be ad hoc engagement with the […]

Closing Date: 05 Aug 2026 23:59:59
Breaking Barriers

Job #195000

Chief Executive

  • Location: London - minimum 60% office based
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #195000
  • Salary: £95,000–£99,000 (incl. London Weighting)
  • Closing Date: 09 Aug 2026 23:59:59

Lead a pioneering organisation transforming refugee lives through employment

Breaking Barriers
Chief Executive
Salary: £95,000 – £99,000 (incl. London Weighting)

London | Regular travel to Birmingham, Manchester and other parts of […]

Closing Date: 09 Aug 2026 23:59:59
The Brent Centre For Young People

Job #194883

Chair

  • Location: London
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194883
  • Salary: This role is unremunerated, with travel expenses paid
  • Closing Date: 20 Sep 2026 23:59:59

The Brent Centre for Young People
Chair

The Brent Centre is a long‑established London charity providing specialist psychoanalytic understanding, treatment of and research into Adolescent Mental Health. With a strong clinical heritage […]

Closing Date: 20 Sep 2026 23:59:59
RCN Foundation

Job #194377

Trustees (Finance & Investment Expertise)

  • Location: Remote, with travel to London for board meetings
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194377
  • Salary: Unremunerated, with reasonable expenses paid
  • Closing Date: 06 Sep 2026 23:59:59

RCN Foundation
Trustees (Finance & Investment Expertise)

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of Trustees of the RCN Foundation, an independent charity that supports and strengthens nursing and midwifery to improve […]

Closing Date: 06 Sep 2026 23:59:59
Wimbledon Guild

Job #194960

Chief Executive

  • Location: Wimbledon, London
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194960
  • Salary: Circa £100,000 per annum
  • Closing Soon: 12 Jul 2026 23:59:59

Wimbledon Guild is a community charity offering practical help and support, so that no one in the London Borough of Merton has to face life’s challenges alone.

We are a dynamic charity focused on delivering a wide range of excellent […]

Closing Soon: 12 Jul 2026 23:59:59