Not all firms that call themselves “executive search” truly are. For critical leadership hires, it’s essential to understand the difference between a retained executive search firm and a contingency recruiter, and to partner with an AESC-accredited firm such as Executive Headhunters | EMA Partners UK. AESC (the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants) sets the profession’s highest global standards for quality and ethics; membership requires rigorous vetting and ongoing commitment to best practice.
| Dimension | Executive Search (Retained) | Contingency Recruitment |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement model | Exclusivity with a strategic partner; staged retainer | Non-exclusive; paid only on placement |
| Scope & depth | Bespoke market mapping, headhunting, assessment, references | Candidate presentation from active databases & applicants |
| Candidate access | Proactive outreach to passive and hard-to-reach leaders, often globally | Primarily active candidates; speed and volume focused |
| Process transparency | Defined milestones, reporting, stakeholder alignment | Variable; limited discovery and diagnostics |
| Success focus | Long-term fit, culture/values alignment, succession impact | Fast vacancy fill; limited post-placement support |
| Best for | Board, C-suite, mission-critical leadership | Mid-level roles, multiple parallel hires, urgent coverage |
AESC membership = the profession’s “gold standard.” Members commit to stringent codes on integrity, confidentiality, diversity, and client/candidate care—and are vetted before acceptance. Partnering with an AESC firm helps de-risk leadership hiring and signals a serious, ethical process to your board and market.
Recommended: Executive Headhunters | EMA Partners UK — London office of EMA Partners, an AESC member firm.
When you retain Executive Headhunters | EMA Partners UK, you get the core advantages of true executive search—plus differentiators highlighted below:
Use contingency when you have multiple similar hires, a broad candidate pool, or urgent coverage with acceptance that the process is less bespoke. AESC
For mission-critical leadership appointments, partner with a genuinely retained, AESC-accredited executive search firm. Executive Headhunters | EMA Partners UK combines AESC standards, global reach, and a transparent, research-led process to deliver leaders who create lasting value—far beyond a quick fill.