The AI Roadmap for Retained Executive Search
A founder-led advisory for boutique and mid-market firms. Benchmark your AI readiness against industry peers with our State of AI in Executive Search report.
THE STATE OF AI IN EXECUTIVE SEARCH
Everyone's experimenting. Few are doing it systematically.
Based on research with 22 executive search firms, we found rapid tool adoption but limited strategic thinking. The firms pulling ahead aren't using more tools — they're using them more intentionally.
But only 23% have a formal AI strategy
Out of 5, across 22 firms surveyed
Rapid adoption of conversation capture
For firms with the right data foundation
WHO WE ARE
Founder-Led. Search-Native. AI-Fluent.
We built the technology behind Nurole, the executive network trusted by FTSE 100 boards. Now we help search firms navigate the AI transition — with the perspective of practitioners, not theorists.
Charlotte Gandell
CEO
15+ years in executive search (Russell Reynolds, Vodafone, Tesco). Former CPO at Nurole. Author of the State of AI in Executive Search report.
Gareth Cokell
CTO
10+ years building technology for executive search. Founding engineer and CTO at Nurole. Technical advisor to BGF portfolio companies on AI strategy.
Jeremy Rickman
Advisor
17-year RRA Partner – ExCo member, ran $50m Chicago office, built European CFO Practice to $10m. Now boards/advises search firms and coaches Fortune 500/FTSE CFOs. ACA and Henley-qualified Executive Coach.
HOW WE WORK
From Assessment to Implementation in Weeks
We help executive search firms build practical AI capabilities — configuring existing tools, building custom solutions, or training your team. Work directly with the founders.
AI Readiness Assessment
Audit your tech stack, data quality, and workflows. Get a prioritised 90-day roadmap with clear quick wins and longer-term initiatives.
Buy vs. Build Guidance
Navigate the vendor landscape. Know when to configure off-the-shelf tools like Metaview vs. build a custom solution in your branding.
Hands-On Implementation
Workflow design, tool integration, and training. We build the things we recommend — not a PowerPoint consultancy.
Capability Building
Our goal is to skill your team up, not create dependency. We build, train, and hand over.
READY TO TALK?
Start with a Conversation
Download the State of AI report, or schedule a 30-minute call with Charlotte or Gareth. No pitch deck. No pressure.