About this Event
Executive search continues to outperform much of the wider recruitment market. As AI transforms research and talent intelligence, client expectations rise, and leadership priorities shift, search firms have a unique opportunity to strengthen their role as trusted advisors to boards and executive teams.
Alongside Grant Thornton, our technology partner 17 Oranges, and industry leaders, we’ll explore:
- What is really happening in executive search? Where is demand holding up and how is client buying behaviour changing?
- What creates enterprise value? How important are retained relationships, repeat revenues, sector specialisation, international reach, proprietary data and management capability?
- Where will future growth come from? Core search, adjacent services, international expansion, acquisition or a broader leadership advisory proposition?
- How important are technology and data? Can firms demonstrate genuine ROI from their technology investment — and do their data, systems and compliance stand up to scrutiny?
- What remains distinctly human? As more research and administration is automated, where will clients continue to pay a premium for judgement, networks, discretion and trusted advice?
Grant Thornton will open with its perspective on the market, valuations and investment: what makes executive search attractive to investors — and what can quickly make a business less attractive. We’ll also hear from David Herron, CEO of Wilton & Bain, who will share the experience of their recent private equity-backed investment and some of the lessons from the process. With Adam Gibson from 17 Oranges we will turn to technology, data and risk: how firms can use technology to create demonstrable value while ensuring their data, compliance and systems don’t become a liability.
This forum is part of TALiNT Partners tailored programme for leaders of specialist search firms, which is designed to build connections between peers, provide insight from leading experts and advisors, and help senior execs to make better strategic decisions, or avoid costly mistakes.
This is an invitation only event for senior leaders within the Executive Search sector.
Speakers
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Keely Woodley Grant Thornton Partner & Head of Strategic AdvisoryExperienced Partner with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Strong entrepreneurship professional skilled in Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Private Equity, Financial Reporting, and Financial Modeling.
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Bilal Khan Grant Thornton M&A DirectorACA qualified Director working within Grant Thornton’s Corporate Finance Lead Advisory team in London.
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David Herron Wilton & Bain Group CEOWilton & Bain is a global executive search and interim leadership firm delivering Board, C-Suite and functional appointments across sectors where leadership defines competitive advantage.
We work within Professional & Business Services, Technology, Media & Telecoms, Financial Services, Energy, Infrastructure & Industrials, and Retail & Consumer.
We combine the global reach and rigour of a larger firm with the precision, partnership, and care of a boutique. Our model blends human insight with structured delivery, enabling clients to appoint transformative leaders who drive growth, change, and long-term value.
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Adam Gibson 17 Oranges Founder & CEO17 Oranges are a technology consultancy specialising in the executive search, recruitment, and HR industry. We work with organisations of all sizes to reimagine technology strategy and deliver smoother, smarter products and services.
From development and strategy to data services and digital transformation, we bring a broad range of expertise delivered by a team with diverse real-world experience.
We work with a range of global clients, including household name brands, government agencies and high-potential start-ups, focusing on ways that we can make an impact on customer experiences, internal process and ultimately overall success.