What PartnerWise does

PartnerWise is a UK-headquartered global executive search and talent solutions firm operating as PartnerWise Collective and specialising in C-suite, board, and functional leadership placements for the consumer brands, retail, luxury, fashion, sports, media, and entertainment sectors. Founded around 2011 and now PE-owned by Newmore Capital since March 2022, the firm operates across 13+ verticals including private equity/venture capital, financial services, life sciences, technology, industrial, and logistics, with stated reach across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and APAC. It reports more than 1,700 global executive placements over 13 years, a 92% first-time-customer repeat rate, an 82% two-year placement retention rate, and a 9/10 NPS score.

The firm delivers its services through three interconnected lines — retained Executive Search, Interim & Fractional Leadership (offered via a 24/7 AI-driven talent portal with Zurich-underwritten IR35 indemnity and end-to-end payroll), and Exec-Project (scalable project-based search for multi-hire, M&A integration, IPO readiness, and transformation mandates) — alongside the PW Talent sub-brand. Underlying technology comprises proprietary AI-powered global sourcing, structured and text-based data analysis for candidate matching, and integrated Hogan and Assessio psychometric assessment delivered by in-house certified practitioners, with a password-protected Client Portal providing real-time project visibility. In May 2024 the firm acquired f1 Recruitment, adding depth in marketing, communications, and sports.

Commercially, PartnerWise runs a pure professional services model with quote-based, personalised fee structures and no self-serve channel. Distribution is consultative and senior-led, combining direct enterprise sales, inside sales, and a PE/VC referral network that funnels portfolio company mandates. Offices are maintained in Harrogate (headquarters) and London, and the company is in the process of broadening its international footprint under Newmore Capital ownership.

Name

PartnerWise

Legal name

PartnerWise Limited

Website

https://partnerwise.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PartnerWise is a UK-based global executive search and talent solutions firm placing C-suite, board, and functional leaders across consumer brands, retail, fashion, sports, media, and PE-backed enterprises, combining AI sourcing, Hogan and Assessio psychometrics, and a 24/7 interim talent portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospitality, Travel & Events Direct Hire (BPACAFAL)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Talent acquisition solutions
• Interim leadership staffing
• Executive recruitment firm
• Leadership consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrogate

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search: Retained search mandates for C-suite, board-level, and functional leadership placements at global, territory, and country levels. Revenue earned through retainers and success fees upon placement completion.
2. Interim & Fractional Leadership: Gap-bridging and project-based contractor placements at leadership and mid-to-senior functional levels. Delivered via a 24/7 AI-driven talent marketplace portal. Revenue based on contractor engagement fees, with full end-to-end payroll services provided.
3. Exec-Project (Project-Based Search): Scalable project-based executive search for multi-hire, market mapping, and transformation mandates. Includes M&A integration, IPO readiness, spin-outs, and international expansion projects. Volume-based pricing model with dedicated project management.
4. Succession Planning & Talent Intelligence: Strategic talent consultancy including succession framework setup, internal/external assessment, talent pipelining, and benchmarking services for competitive compensation analysis.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PartnerWise provides retained executive search for C-suite, board, and functional leadership roles across consumer brands, retail, fashion, luxury, beauty, sports, media, and PE/VC sectors globally. It also delivers interim and fractional leadership contractor placements through an AI-driven talent portal, and Exec-Project, a project-based search service for multi-hire, M&A integration, IPO readiness, and transformation mandates. Services are sold directly to enterprise and mid-market buyers on a quote-based, customer-led fee structure.

Product overview

PartnerWise is a global executive search and talent solutions firm offering three interconnected service lines: Executive Search (retained search for C-suite and board-level leadership), Interim & Fractional Leadership (contractor solutions with 24/7 AI-driven portal access), and Exec-Project (scalable project-based search for multi-hire and transformation initiatives). The platform is powered by proprietary AI-sourcing technology fused with human expertise, supported by psychometric assessment tools (Hogan and Assessio) and a client portal for real-time project visibility. PW Talent operates as a separate sub-brand for additional talent solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PW Talent: Talent solutions platform operating at pwtalent.co.uk
• Exec-Project
• PartnerWise Collective

Products and services

• Executive Search Global executive search service for C-suite, Operating Board, and Functional Leadership positions at global, territory, and country levels. Includes governance (Chairman and Non-Executive Director recruitment), succession planning, executive assessment and due diligence, and industry benchmarking services for enterprise buyers.
• Interim & Fractional Leadership Specialist talent marketplace providing gap-bridging interim and fractional leadership contractors at senior functional levels for Brands, Retail, Media & Content, and Sports sectors. Features 24/7 AI-driven portal access, automated IR35 compliance with full Zurich indemnity, and full end-to-end payroll services.
• Exec-Project Project-based executive search solution for multi-hire, market mapping, and transformation projects. Designed for M&A integration, IPO readiness, spin-offs, international expansion, and business transformation initiatives with dedicated project management and volume-based efficiency. Trusted by 300+ global brands with 1,600+ leadership searches delivered across 40+ markets and a 97% repeat client rate.
• PW Talent Talent solutions platform offered as a separate sub-brand entity (pwtalent.co.uk) for talent acquisition and intelligence services, operating alongside PartnerWise's retained and interim search practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of placements still in role or promoted 2 years later
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers71 records

Segments13 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• f1 Recruitment (acquired by PartnerWise Collective)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Amanda Fone founded f1 Recruitment in 2004 and managed its acquisition by PartnerWise Collective in May 2024. f1 brought over four decades of executive search experience in Marketing, Communications, and Sports sectors, along with social change programs NoTurningBack2020 and Back2businessship.
• Hogan (Psychometric Assessments)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnerWise uses Hogan's suite of psychometric assessments to evaluate candidates' normal personality traits, derailment risks, and core values of motivation. The organisation's in-house experts are certified to use, assess, and provide feedback on these deep-dive assessments for leadership hires.
• Assessio (Psychometric Assessment Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnerWise integrates Assessio, a leading psychometric assessment platform rooted in decades of behavioural science, to provide data-driven insights into leadership potential, motivation, and team dynamics. Assessio enables objective, bias-free evaluation of candidates' leadership styles, values, and long-term organisational fit.
• Zurich Insurance (IR35 Indemnity)supportingOthersZurich Insurance underwrites full IR35 compliance indemnity for PartnerWise's interim talent portal. When automated IR35 compliance checks are completed through the portal, Zurich provides full insurance indemnity, protecting clients from compliance risks.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wilton & Bain: UK-based executive search firm specializing in technology, digital, and consumer-facing sectors. Comparable boutique positioning with similar focus on transformation-led mandates and PE/VC-backed portfolio company hiring, competing with PartnerWise for digital and transformation leadership roles.
• Stanton Chase: Global executive search firm with comparable boutique-to-mid-size positioning and similar sector-focused practice model. Competes with PartnerWise for consumer goods, retail, and sports-related mandates, with similar geographic distribution and partnership-driven delivery model.
• Saxton Bampfylde: UK-based executive search firm with comparable boutique positioning, specializing in similar sectors including consumer, retail, and media. Direct competitor for UK and European mid-to-senior mandates with similar relationship-driven, partnership-led approach.
• Odgers Berndtson: UK-headquartered global executive search firm with comparable boutique-to-mid-size positioning, similar sector depth in consumer and retail, and comparable client roster including sports and media organizations. Often competes with PartnerWise for similar mid-to-senior mandates in UK and European markets.
• transearch: Global executive search firm with similar mid-sized positioning and comparable sector practices across consumer, retail, and industrial. Direct competitor for cross-border mandates with similar partnership model and geographic reach through partner offices.

Broad incumbents

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong practices in consumer markets, financial services, and technology. Publicly traded (NASDAQ: HSII), serving many of the same FTSE 100/Fortune 500 clients that PartnerWise targets but at significantly larger scale and with broader geographic reach.
• Egon Zehnder: Privately-held global executive search firm known for deep sector practices including consumer and retail. Competes directly with PartnerWise for senior executive mandates, with similar relationship-driven approach and proprietary assessment methodologies, though at much larger scale and longer track record.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with strong consumer, retail, and technology practices. Direct competitor for PartnerWise's C-suite mandates with comparable sector expertise but larger geographic footprint, deeper board practice, and 50+ year track record.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the world's leading executive search firms with 50+ offices globally and deep C-suite and board practice. A direct competitor for PartnerWise's top-tier mandates, particularly in consumer and retail sectors, but with vastly larger scale and established brand recognition at the most senior levels.
• Korn Ferry: The world's largest executive search firm by revenue, with comprehensive executive search, talent consulting, and RPO services. Competes with PartnerWise across all sectors and has proprietary assessment IP (Lominger, PDI) similar to PartnerWise's Hogan/Assessio integration, but at vastly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/about

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PartnerWise