Executive Search

Cartisian Technical Recruitment delivers a discreet, retained Executive Search service for senior leadership and board-level appointments across engineering, manufacturing, automation and technology-led organisations.

Executive Search operates at a different level to traditional recruitment. It requires absolute discretion, market intelligence and a structured, research-led approach to identify leaders capable of shaping strategy, driving performance and leading organisations through complexity and change.

Based in the West Midlands, Cartisian delivers executive search assignments across the UK and internationally.

Executive Search for Board & Senior Leadership Appointments

The most effective senior leaders are rarely active candidates. They must be identified, engaged and assessed through a confidential, credible and well-managed process.

Cartisian works directly with owners, boards, investors and senior stakeholders to deliver executive appointments where leadership impact is critical. Our role is to represent our clients with professionalism and authority, ensuring the opportunity is positioned accurately and compellingly to the right individuals.

Executive & Senior Roles We Appoint

We have a proven track record of delivering executive search assignments for senior and strategic roles, including:

Managing Director (MD)
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Finance Director (FD) / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Operations Director
Manufacturing Director
Engineering Director
Technical Director
Commercial Director
Programme or Transformation Director

These appointments are typically business-critical and require a level of search, assessment and discretion beyond conventional recruitment methods.

A Retained, Research-Led Search Methodology

Executive Search assignments undertaken by Cartisian are typically delivered on a retained and exclusive basis, reflecting the seniority, sensitivity and importance of the roles involved.

Our structured approach includes:

In-depth role, leadership and organisational briefing
Market mapping and competitor intelligence
Direct, confidential engagement with senior leaders
Rigorous competency and leadership assessment
Structured shortlisting and stakeholder management

This methodology ensures clients gain access to leaders who are not visible through job advertising or standard recruitment channels.

Executive Search Within Technical & Commercial Environments

Cartisian specialises in executive search within technically complex and commercially demanding environments. Our consultants each bring over 15 years of technical and commercial recruitment experience, enabling informed, credible dialogue with senior leaders and accurate assessment of both leadership capability and sector relevance.

This depth of understanding is critical when appointing executives into engineering-led and manufacturing-focused organisations.

UK & International Executive Search

Executive talent is increasingly international. Cartisian delivers executive search assignments across the UK and selected international markets, advising on availability, market dynamics and cross-border engagement where required.

Our international capability ensures access to the strongest leadership talent, regardless of geographical location.

Why Choose Cartisian for Executive Search?

Specialist recruitment consultancy established since 2018
Strong executive search performance and delivery throughout 2024–2025
Consultants with 15+ years’ senior recruitment experience
Proven capability across engineering, manufacturing and technology
Discreet, retained and research-led search methodology
Trusted partner to boards, owners and senior stakeholders

Speak to an Executive Search Specialist

If you are planning a senior leadership appointment or require confidential advice on executive recruitment, speak directly with Cartisian Technical Recruitment.

We provide a measured, discreet and highly professional Executive Search service, designed to secure leaders who deliver long-term impact.

Contact Cartisian today to discuss your executive search requirements in confidence

0121 295 1600

enquiries@cartisian.com

Latest Executive Search Jobs

View Jobs

Commercial Director

Commercial Director Are you a commercially driven leader with a track record of delivering measurable...

Runcorn

Commercial Director

negotiable c£100,000 + ( + bonus + benefits) p.a.

Consultancy Services

Executive Search

Finance

Chief Executive Officer

Fully Remote (UK-Based) | National Travel as Required £150,000 – £200,000 + Executive Package +...

Fully Remote

CEO

£150,000 - £200,000 (NEG) + executive benefits p.a.

Consultancy Services

Executive Search

Software

Business Development Director

Business Development Director Location: Runcorn Salary: Competitive base + executive-level performance bonus Our client...

Runcorn

Business Development

Executive Search

Managing Director

Managing Director Location: Banbury Salary – attractive remuneration A successful UK manufacturer of components for...

Banbury

Managing Director

£110,000 - £115,000 - negotiable p.a.

Aerospace and Defence

Executive Search

General Engineering and Manufacturing

Managing Director

Managing Director Location: Cheshire Remuneration: Highly competitive package, substantial performance bonus, full benefits, and potential...

Runcorn

Managing Director

125000 - 135000 + attractive benefits and equity p.a.

Executive Search

Managing Director

Managing Director – Debt Recovery Location: Cheshire Remuneration: Exceptionally attractive package including competitive base salary, substantial performance...

Runcorn

Managing Director

£115,000 - £130,000 + attractive benefits p.a.

Executive Search

Finance

Managing Director

A Managing Director with a proven track record of driving business growth, profitability, and strong...

Portsmouth Southampton Winchester

Director Managing

GBP110000 - GBP115000 per annum + Company car, bonus and benefits

Automotive

Executive Search

General Engineering and Manufacturing

Managing Director

A Managing Director with a proven track record of driving business growth, profitability, and strong...

Portsmouth Winchester

Director Managing

Company car, bonus and benefits

Automotive

Executive Search

General Engineering and Manufacturing

Start The Executive Search Process

Get in touch today to start your journey to leveling-up your company with executive search and recruitment.

Managing Director Recruitment

Recruiting the right managing director for your business is crucial in order to optimise and streamline the connection between the board and the daily strategic running of the business. The MD, or CEO, is effectively in charge of the general running of the business and will be charged with making decisions that affect all areas, from staffing, to finance, to research and development. Communication in this role is key, and it’s vital that your firm’s managing director is not only a capable and experienced manager, but also an understanding, aware, charismatic, and receptive individual. They need to have supreme vision, to forecast potential financial, political, or commercial situations, and have the motivation and adaptability to make effective use of that knowledge.

The buck stops at the MD. The responsibility of profitability and reputation of your company will all hang on the shoulders of the CEO you recruit. They would certainly deserve a healthy remuneration package, but that comes with culpability for any failings, and conversely strong acclamation for successes. Ensure that the candidate you eventually choose, after the numerous rounds of interviews and testing, not only has the skills and experience your firm requires, but also the drive, focus, and passion your company need to weather storms and push towards greater things.

Sales Director Recruitment

As one of the UK’s most candidate-focused recruitment agencies, we have a strong understanding of not only how crucial a role sales directors play within a business, but also how important it is to truly understand the career history and aims of each individual when it comes to long-term placements.

Talented, experienced, sales directors, when well-suited to the role they are in, have the confidence and expertise to build a firm’s sales performance and generate revenue growth. For many firms this is an expected outcome, but we all know that in order to produce these outcomes the sales director you recruit must be the most ideal fit for your company, in its current stage of development, for the projects and tasks they are responsible for.

Oftentimes hiring experienced sales directors from differing industries may be considered an unnecessary risk to your business. However, if a candidate shows relevant knowledge in systems, processes, and theory, as well as experience in managing at the highest level, then bringing in a fresh set of eyes can identify areas of inefficiency previously unconsidered and enable development in areas that bring innovation, inspiration, and motivation in your workforce.

To ensure the process of sales director recruitment is effective we employ precise stratagems in researching, qualifying, testing, and finally approving individuals that take into account your business’s needs, the results of internal systems and psychometric testing, as well as our experience in providing successful placements to firms all over the UK. We take recruitment opportunities global, seeking candidates from international markets, as well as advising your internal departments in UK employment processes for overseas applicants.