HW Global, Identifying the leaders who will make a positive impact
HW Global have delivered cross-functional senior leadership projects in 6 continents and 80+ countries, enabling our clients to achieve their core strategic transformation and growth goals.
C-Suite/Leadership
Market Sectors
Consumers
Financial Services
Private Equity and Family Office
Technology and Digital
Human Resources
Infrastructure and the Built Environment
Our Process
Testimonials
Insights
Our Team
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Our UK based in-house research team utilises a proven methodology, supported by the latest digital platforms and AI tools and an extensive global network of senior leaders. This enables us to deliver local, regional, and international executive searches and talent mapping projects across a breadth of market sectors.
Our commercial expertise and insights are gained through relentless networking and research, enabling us to share intelligence across our specialist sectors whilst supporting our clients’ growth aspirations.
C-Suite/Leadership
HW Global provides executive searches for the full spectrum of C-suite level, senior executive and leadership positions, including but not limited to CEO, CFO, COO, CRO, CMO, CIO/CTO, CDO and CHRO/CPO.
Our specialist CFO practice has more than 100 years of combined executive search experience in both UK and global markets, with a successful track record of managing CFO assignments across multiple sectors.
Our Technology and Digital practice recruits experts from all sectors, securing the talent needed to deliver tech expertise within your organisation.
Looking to hire Emerging Leaders?
HW Group also provides roles for emerging leaders.
If you’re looking for professionals at this level then please find out more.
Market Sectors
Consumer
We’re the executive search partner of choice for many of the world’s most recognised consumer brands, including some of the largest sector leaders in FMCG/CPG, QSR, Consumer Healthcare, Infrastructure and Retail.
We support these companies across the globe in engaging and hiring exceptional leadership talent, recruiting both executive and non-executive board members and senior leaders, across the full range of functions.
Our deep understanding of global consumer markets enables us to identify leaders who can inspire multi-cultural, multi-generational teams in a sustainable and business beneficial way, whilst embracing the increasingly influential role of digital and emerging AI technology platforms.
Areas of Expertise:
Fast Moving and Consumer Packaged Goods (FMCG/CPG)
Food and beverage
Home and personal care
Beauty
Durables
Packaged goods
Consumer electronics
Sporting goods
Fast Moving Consumer Healthcare (FMCH)
OTC Healthcare Products
Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)
Food and Drink
Retail, Apparel & Luxury Goods
Grocery Mults / Supermarkets
Direct and online retailers
Convenience stores
Fashion businesses
General retailers of various sizes
Financial Services
HW Global FS have a global reach and a national presence, coupled with deep knowledge of the local regions. With outstanding in-house research capability, a sensible approach to off-limits, and a competitive price point, we are able to offer our clients a viable alternative to larger search firms.
We have consistently delivered national and local searches for large corporates, FTSE 350, mutual organisations, and private equity backed businesses for over 18 years.
Possessing extensive executive search experience across the financial services sector, partnering with a wide range of businesses to deliver exceptional talent from senior managers and directors to C-suite executives, and non-executive directors and chairs of boards.
With a dedicated FS practice, we know the sector intimately. This, combined with our rigorous and personal approach to each unique assignment, ensures that we are able to consistently deliver exceptional talent for our clients. Clients work with us because they know that we have a track record in delivering both proven and diverse shortlists for executive and non-executive talent.
Disciplines we work with:
- Commercial
- Finance
- Risk
- Operations
- Treasury Technology and Change
- HR
- NED/Chair
Areas of Expertise:
- Building Societies
- Challenger Banks
- Start-up Banks
- Fintech Start-ups
- Consumer and Alternative Finance Providers
- Mutual Organisations
- Wealth Management
Private Equity and Family Office
Getting the right leadership talent in place is crucial in any investment cycle and it can be instrumental in maximising the valuation of a company. We work with some of the UK’s leading private equity firms to help them find the right talent for their own businesses as well as their portfolio of private equity-backed companies.
We take a highly consultative approach to help acquire talent throughout the full deal lifecycle. During pre-deals, we work closely with our clients to identify and engage talent before they acquire a business, as well as through stages of deal origination and early access, optimisation of management capability and talent succession.
Areas of Expertise:
- Private Equity firms
- Private Equity-backed Companies
- Family Office and Owner-Managed Businesses (Companies with a mid to large market valuation)
Technology and Digital
Our Technology and Digital practice is a specialist division servicing our technology sector clients globally. We secure proven C-Suite and Executive leaders across a broad spectrum of businesses from public, private, owner led, and private equity backed. We have a particular track-record appointing high calibre leaders into mid-cap private-equity backed, or high growth technology and software enterprises.
Our exceptional team has over 35 years combined experience in leadership hiring with industry expertise in Enterprise Software, SaaS, BaaS, Technology Consulting or Service Provision, and other technology / digital first organisations across B2B, B2B2C and B2C environments. Our expertise covers a range of software and platform categories such as RetailTech, MedTech, FinTech, InsurTech, EduTech, MarTech, Data & Insights, IoT, AI Platforms and more.
We deliver generalist and specialist mandates networking with technically-minded, respected executives. We offer services across all board level appointments from NED/Chair, CEO/MD, CIO/CTO, CRO/CCO, CMO as well as others within the Software and Technology sector.
In addition, we can provide specialised functional expertise in hiring leadership appointments across a broad spectrum of technology.
This division is sector specific and discipline agnostic, we can pull from all areas of our extensive group network to fulfil client needs and provide diversity across all disciplines.
Disciplines we work in:
- Information Technology
CIO, CTO, IT Director, Strategic Leadership hires in Tech - Digital & Digital Transformation
CDO, Digital Director, Chief Transformation Officer, Transformation Lead - Data
Chief Data Officer, VP / Director of Data - Cybersecurity
CISO, Chief Security Architect - Product
Chief Product Officer, VP / Director of Product - Software Engineering
CTO, VP / Director or Software Engineering - Architecture & Strategy
Chief Architect, Director of Programmes - Ecommerce & Marketing
CMO, Chief Customer / Ecommerce Officer, VP / Director
Human Resources
Our HR Practice provides strategic advisory, consulting, and executive search solutions tailored to C-Suite executives and their associated leadership team. With a versatile approach, we support a diverse portfolio of organisations, including private equity firms, privately held and family-owned businesses, as well as large multinational corporations.
Our expertise is sector-agnostic, allowing us to deliver insights and guidance across various industries with a holistic focus on talent strategy. This includes comprehensive talent mapping, market insight, and aligning leadership needs with organisational goals. With a commitment to empowering businesses through high-impact talent solutions, we work closely with clients to navigate complex talent landscapes, enhancing their ability to attract, retain, and develop top-tier professionals.
Our expertise is rooted in partnering closely with C-Suite executives, providing strategic guidance on a wide range of people-focused initiatives. This includes designing and implementing reward and recognition programs, enhancing internal communications, boosting employee engagement, and developing leadership initiatives – all aimed at fostering a culture of sustainable growth and high performance.
We equip businesses with the tools they need to make informed, impactful decisions, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic objectives.
Disciplines we work with:
- HR Analytics and Workforce Planning
- Change Management
- Employee Engagement and Retention
- Reward
- HR Technology and Systems
- Legal Compliance
- Global HR Management
- Organisational Development (OD)
- Diversity and Inclusion Strategies
- Talent Management
Infrastructure and the Built Environment
This division has strong sector specialisations in infrastructure, transport, energy, construction, industry, private equity backed businesses and professional services. We represent clients globally, spanning the full life cycle of the space from the investment community to the E2E supply chain.
This division is sector specific and discipline agnostic, we can pull from all areas of our extensive group network to fulfil client needs and provide diversity across all disciplines.
Disciplines we work with:
- General Management
- Commercial
- Operational
- Safety
- HR
- Finance
- Sales and Marketing
- Engineering
- Board
- Asset Management
- Strategy
- Advisory
Our Process
We are commited to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.
Please find out more about how we champion diversity.
Case Studies
Testimonials
The first reason why I like working with HW is because they truly listen, investing enough time upfront on the context of the search before going to the job itself. The second reason is because they “fish in different ponds”, translating in both a rigorous and creative manner the targeted job scope and the potential career paths that could lead into it. Finally HW are a true thought partner and not “yes men” just focused on invoicing the fees, which means they do not hesitate to provide feedback on the search, hereby helping to sharpen it.
Jean Christophe – Flatin Global President, Oatly
We worked with Louise recently to search for a new Director of Operations. This was our second time working with Louise and she could not have done a better job. From ensuring the brief was absolutely accurate to presenting first class candidates, Louise and her team exhibited a thorough knowledge of our requirements with real insight into the candidates they presented. Thanks to Louise and her team, We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Louise to other organisations in need of high quality recruitment.
Jonathan Kemp – MD at AEV Group
I had the pleasure of working with Louise in a recent search for a senior operations vacancy , and I cannot recommend her highly enough. Louise and her team were knowledgeable about the industry and also genuinely invested in helping candidates find the right job fit for their skills and career aspirations.
Louise took the time to understand our goals and what we needed in candidates for the role. Louise maintained clear and open communication, keeping me informed of every step along the way.
If you’re looking for a recruiter who is professional, insightful, and truly dedicated to helping find the best candidates, I would highly recommend working with Louise.
Stephen Tattersall, COO at Clinisupplies
My experience with HWG has been beyond positive – very clear communication, amazing responsiveness and executional excellence through the process. Great clarity on status and next steps at any time. Couldn’t be happier with the way the communication went even though there was significant ambiguity – have always felt very well informed as to where we are, respected as an individual and most importantly well taken care of.
Eliza Simeonoval – Global VP Supply Chain, Mars Petcare
HW is not just an expert search partner, they are true business partner, bringing market insights and ongoing support following the placement. I have appreciated their trust, agility, and ability to connect to our culture to get the best fit for our organization.
Cheryl DeSantis – Chief People Officer, National Veterinary Associates
I have worked closely with the HW team for over five years on many difficult search assignments. They are a true business partner, focused on delivering quality outcomes at pace. HW are rigorous in approach, always engaging in direct and constructive dialogue and consistently following through and delivering against commitments. They are willing, capable and energized to take on more complex assignments that often require extensive market research and due diligence, whilst often working through ambiguity on the client side.
Malcolm Armstrong – Global VP P&O Mars Pet Nutrition
I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience in partnering with this firm and how they made me feel valued and supported as a candidate in the recruiting process.
Tiana Conley – VP Global Portfolio Strategy, Mars Wrigley
I have worked with HW not only because of their people, search methodology and reach but the two areas where I think they are really different. Firstly, they truly listen. They take the time to understand your business strategy and people requirements and then they forensically select against these. Secondly, they take this strategic understanding and use this to really sell your business, giving access to exceptional candidates. They are thorough, supportive, flexible and overall great value and fun to work with. I would highly recommend and still use them today!
Stuart Price – Chief People Officer, Zenith
I had the pleasure of working with HW Global during the hiring process and they demonstrated extremely high levels of professionalism, always available to provide insights, updates, coaching and feedback. They not only focused on the hard skills and leadership, but also ensure the optimal culture and values fit. One of the rare firms that engages in post hiring follow up calls and mentoring, helping smooth onboarding and integration. Simply HWG act with warmth and care and I strongly recommend them for new career paths, recruitment and hiring service.
Sherif Riad – Global Chief Supply Chain Officer, Krispy Kreme
HW Global are a great talent partner. The team have worked with us on numerous senior executive commercial leadership roles. I have valued their approach to shaping a quality brief that holds the right tension between our needs and the industry realities, leveraging the quality insights they provide and the quality of the search process where they have an impressive reach, high trust with candidates and a philosophy of accountability and working together, to land the right business solution.
