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

Impetus
Role: Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships
Whizz Kidz
Role: Director of Fundraising & Communications
UNICEF UK
Role: Chief Marketing & Partnerships 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

Education For Health

Job #194360

Chair

  • Location: Warwickshire / Hybrid
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194360
  • Salary: Unremunerated, with travel expenses paid
  • Closing Date: 04 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 who […]
Closing Date: 04 May 2026 23:59:59
MQ

Job #194605

Director of Development

  • Location: Hybrid from the London office
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194605
  • Salary: c. £75,000
  • Closing Date: 05 May 2026 23:59:59

MQ champion and fund world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. They strive to create a world where mental illness is better understood, diagnosed, treated, and hopefully someday, […]

Closing Date: 05 May 2026 23:59:59
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award

Job #194590

Head of Philanthropy

  • Location: Flexible working arrangements at their London office (3 days per week)
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194590
  • Salary: £65,000
  • Closing Date: 05 May 2026 23:59:59

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a non-formal education and Learning framework encouraging young people to find their purpose, place and passion in the world. They work in more than 130 countries and territories, and […]

Closing Date: 05 May 2026 23:59:59
Medicinema

Job #194427

Director of Finance and Business Operations

  • Location: London Bridge / Hybrid
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194427
  • Salary: Up to £72,000
  • Closing Date: 10 May 2026 23:59:59

MediCinema is a unique and pioneering charity working at the heart of NHS hospitals to improve the wellbeing of patients, families and carers through the transformative power of cinema. For 25 years, we have brought the magic of film […]

Closing Date: 10 May 2026 23:59:59
Helen Bamber Foundation

Job #194323

Group Director of Fundraising

  • Location: flexible Hybrid working at their London
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194323
  • Salary: £70,000 to £80,000 per annum
  • Closing Soon: 22 Apr 2026 23:59:59

Prospectus is excited to be working exclusively with Helen Bamber Foundation Group to help them recruit for their new Group Director of Fundraising. The Helen Bamber Foundation Group (HBFG) is a London-based human rights organisation […]

Closing Soon: 22 Apr 2026 23:59:59
The Humane League UK

Job #194350

Managing Director

  • Location: Remote / UK based
  • Type: Leadership and Board
  • Job #194350
  • Salary: Starting Salary of £84,078 or £92,486 for Inner London Weighting
  • Closing Soon: 19 Apr 2026 23:59:59

The Humane League UK is a high-impact charity dedicated to ending the abuse of animals raised for food, combining strategic campaigning with a strong commitment to impact, innovation, and accountability.  

As […]

Closing Soon: 19 Apr 2026 23:59:59