The Up Group
The Up Group is a London-based executive search and leadership advisory firm that partners with category-defining UK and European technology companies on board-level and senior leadership appointments, operating a partner-led model with no proprietary technology platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Up Group does
The Up Group is a London-based executive search and leadership advisory firm founded in 2008, serving category-defining technology companies primarily across the UK and Europe. The firm operates a partner-led delivery model focused on board-level and senior leadership appointments for venture-backed and high-growth technology companies, with named clients spanning fintech, cybersecurity, marketplaces, autonomous systems, media, and consumer (including Darktrace, Starling Bank, AVIV Group, Lodgify, Unzer, DAZN, Wayve, Vestiaire Collective, Tonies, and Warner Music Group).
The firm has reported 1,500+ clients supported, 350+ European placements, and an events programme engaging 1,000+ senior leaders, supported by a 67% repeat client rate. The Up Group has no proprietary technology platform and uses Otter.ai as its principal AI-enabled productivity tool for transcription. The leadership team includes Managing Partners James Burrows and Anca Condrea.
The Up Group operates as a subsidiary of Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS) and has announced a 2026 rebrand. Revenue is generated through traditional executive search retainer and contingency fees on senior leadership placements. With 11–50 employees, the firm is a small, relationship-driven practice that monetizes its curated ecosystem of founders, operators, investors, and senior executives across the European technology landscape.
The Up Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Up Group
- Legal name
- The Up Group Limited
- Website
- https://theupgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Up Group is a London-based executive search and leadership advisory firm that partners with category-defining UK and European technology companies on board-level and senior leadership appointments, operating a partner-led model with no proprietary technology platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Up Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search Services
- NAICS
- Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Executive & Leadership Direct Hire (BPACAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)
Keywords
Where The Up Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Up Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Executive Search Services: Retainer and contingency-based executive search fees for placing senior leadership including CEOs, C-suite executives, and board-level positions. Services include executive search and leadership assessment.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
The Up Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Up Group is an executive search and leadership advisory firm that places senior leaders (CEOs, C-suite executives, and board-level positions) for ambitious, category-defining organisations across UK and Europe. Its core offerings are Executive Search (partner-led senior leadership and board placement) and Leadership Assessment (psychometric testing, cognitive assessments, and structured candidate evaluation). Services are delivered through a 100% partner-led model.
Product overview
The Up Group is an executive search and leadership advisory firm offering two core services: Executive Search and Leadership Assessment. The firm operates as a single integrated service where Executive Search provides partner-led search for senior leadership and board-level positions, while Leadership Assessment offers evaluation tools including psychometric testing, cognitive assessments, and structured evaluation to determine candidate suitability. These services are delivered through a 100% partner-led model across the UK and Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Up Academy: The company's structured learning and development program, spearheaded by Gemma Hale, providing comprehensive training for team members in executive search methodology.
Products and services
- Executive Search Partner-led executive search service for identifying and placing senior leaders including CEO, board, and functional leadership roles across technology, commercial, finance, and operations functions for ambitious, category-defining organisations across UK and Europe.
- Leadership Assessment Comprehensive assessment services including psychometric testing, cognitive assessments, career history evaluation, and structured interview insights to evaluate candidate suitability for executive roles.
Quantifiable outcome
- 67% repeat client rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Up Group
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Up Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Up Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS)coreThe Up Group is owned by Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS) and operates as part of the AMS family. AMS may access data held by The Up Group under strict internal controls and in compliance with data protection laws. This ownership provides The Up Group with institutional backing while maintaining its independent brand and operations.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Up Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Coulter Partners: European-headquartered boutique search firm specializing in life sciences and technology leadership; a niche competitor overlapping on Up's technology and digital mandates.
- DHR Global: Global executive search firm with growing technology and digital practices; an emerging competitor expanding in the European tech executive search market.
Direct peers
- Korn Ferry: Largest global executive search firm with deep C-suite and board practice; competes directly with The Up Group for senior leadership mandates, especially across technology and digital clients.
- Spencer Stuart: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong technology practice; a primary competitor for board and CEO search mandates in the European tech ecosystem.
- Egon Zehnder: Global leadership advisory firm with strong board and executive search practice; comparable in partner-led delivery model and focus on senior leadership across technology and consumer sectors.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership consulting firm with significant technology and digital practices, competing for the same category-defining tech clients.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with strong technology and financial services practices; competes for senior leadership and board mandates in the European market.
- Odgers Berndtson: Headquartered in London, Odgers Berndtson is one of the largest UK-based executive search firms and a particularly close competitor given shared geography, sector coverage, and senior-led delivery approach.
- Norman Broadbent: UK-based executive search and leadership consulting firm with comparable practice areas including technology, digital, and consumer; a direct boutique competitor in the UK and European market.
- Stanton Chase: Global executive search firm with strong technology officer and board practices; competes for similar executive mandates though with a broader geographic footprint than Up.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Up Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Up Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Up Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Up Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Up Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Up Group
What does The Up Group do?
The Up Group is an executive search and leadership advisory firm that places senior leaders (CEOs, C-suite executives, and board-level positions) for ambitious, category-defining organisations across UK and Europe. Its core offerings are Executive Search (partner-led senior leadership and board placement) and Leadership Assessment (psychometric testing, cognitive assessments, and structured candidate evaluation). Services are delivered through a 100% partner-led model.
Is The Up Group a public or private company?
The Up Group is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Up Group founded?
The Up Group was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Up Group based?
The Up Group is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Up Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: executive Search Services.
Who are The Up Group's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Coulter Partners and DHR Global. Direct peers are Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates, Odgers Berndtson, Norman Broadbent and Stanton Chase.
Does The Up Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Up Group.
What industry is The Up Group in?
The Up Group's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAFAB, Executive & Leadership Direct Hire, with a secondary code of EDABAAAA, Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development. Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.