Thewlis Graham Associates

What Thewlis Graham Associates does

Thewlis Graham Associates is a London-based international executive search and selection consultancy founded in 2010 by Sarah Thewlis and Robert Graham, specialising in board, senior executive, management, and officer-level appointments across both not-for-profit and commercial sectors. The firm serves UK and international clients through direct engagement led by the senior leadership team, with global reach provided by the Alliance Partnership International network of associate offices. Named customers include the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, CILEx, IGC Barristers' Chambers, Lisieux Trust, the Aboricultural Association, and Kaplan, with more than two-thirds of clients being repeat customers and all recent post-assignment audit respondents scoring 8 or above out of 10 on willingness to recommend.

The company's core offering is retainer-based executive search, supplemented by psychometric assessment, talent mapping, and leadership consultancy services. The firm does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its value proposition rests on the 30+ years of combined consultant expertise, deep professional networks, and a rigorous bespoke assignment process that includes psychometrics and independent post-assignment audits. Supporting infrastructure comprises Invenias as the candidate database platform, PeopleCheck for background screening, and partnerships with printer, marketing, and business support vendors. Technology differentiation, if any, derives from domain specialisation rather than software.

The business model is professional services-based, generating revenue per executive search assignment on a project/engagement basis with no publicly disclosed pricing or fee structure. GTM motion is enterprise field sales: consultative, relationship-driven, and referral-led through Alliance Partnership International, REC, CIPD, IOD, and other industry bodies. The firm operates with a small team of 1-10 employees, runs no app or API, has no disclosed funding, and has no parent company, subsidiaries, or acquisition history.

Name

Thewlis Graham Associates

Legal name

Thewlis Graham Associates Ltd

Website

https://thewlisgraham.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thewlis Graham Associates is a London-based executive search consultancy founded in 2010 that recruits board and senior executive positions for not-for-profit and commercial sector clients in the UK and internationally, delivering retainer-based search, psychometric assessment, and leadership advisory services through a small senior-led team.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

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

Public Sector, Education & Nonprofit Leadership Search (BPACAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Board recruitment
• Senior executive placement
• Leadership consultancy
• Talent mapping

Headquarters

HQ city

Hereford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Executive Search and Selection Services: The firm generates revenue through retainer-based executive search assignments for board, senior executive, and management-level positions in both not-for-profit and commercial sectors. Assignments typically involve comprehensive search, assessment, and placement services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Thewlis Graham Associates is an International Executive Search and Selection consultancy based in London, recruiting for Board and Senior Executive positions, as well as Management and Officer positions, across the Not-For-Profit and commercial sectors. Founded in 2010, the firm operates as a boutique provider of retainer-based executive search assignments complemented by psychometric assessment, talent mapping, and leadership consultancy services, with global reach delivered through the Alliance Partnership International network.

Product overview

Thewlis Graham Associates offers a suite of professional executive search and selection services built around four core offerings: Executive Search (the primary service for recruiting Board, Senior Executive, Management and Officer level positions across Not-For-Profit and commercial sectors), Psychometrics (integrated assessment tools to evaluate candidate capabilities), Talent Mapping (strategic market analysis and candidate identification), and Leadership Consultancy (advisory services for board effectiveness and organizational leadership). The firm is a London-based international consultancy established in 2010, led by Sarah Thewlis, and specializes exclusively in executive-level recruitment rather than volume staffing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search

Quantifiable outcome

• In post-assignment audits over the last 18 months, 100% of respondents have given a recommendation score of 8 or above out of 10.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance Partnership InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Thewlis Graham Associates are founders of the Alliance Partnership International, an international network of executive search firms with global associate offices. This partnership enables the firm to handle cross-border assignments and serve clients with international needs.
• Sprague GibbonsminorOthersA boutique marketing agency with expert recruitment communications team. They have worked with Director Peter Gibbons for more than 15 years as their trusted media partner, providing marketing, branding, advertising and website design services.
• Inspira UK LtdminorOthersProfessional business consultancy offering bookkeeping, business coaching, and outsourced services for growing businesses. Working with Sue Higgins and team since business inception.
• Marion Deacon / ABFL EventsminorOthersIndependent consultant providing project management, administrative support, and undertaking impartial Post-Assignment Audits following successful placements.
• Murrays the Printers LtdminorOthersA company with over 60 years of experience in design and print, creating corporate stationery including letterheads, business cards, folders and reports for Thewlis Graham Associates since their inception.
• CBIminorOthersConfederation of British Industry - Thewlis Graham Associates maintains CBI membership for industry networking and business intelligence.
• The Association of MBAs (AMBA)minorOthersInternational authority on postgraduate business education. Thewlis Graham Associates maintains membership for networking and talent sourcing.
• CIPDminorOthersChartered Institute of Personnel and Development - professional body for HR and people development. Thewlis Graham Associates leverages CIPD resources and maintains professional standing through membership.
• Cranfield School of ManagementminorOthersWorld leader in management education and research. Robert Graham holds an MBA from Cranfield, and the firm maintains connections for talent sourcing and professional development.
• Institute of Directors (IOD)minorOthersWorldwide association of directors providing professional networking for business leaders. Thewlis Graham Associates maintains membership for industry connections.
• International Women's Forum UK (IWF)minorOthersNetwork for outstanding women of diverse achievements and interests, providing opportunities for exchanging ideas and experiences among women leaders.
• The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC)coreOthersThe only professional body dedicated to representing the whole of the recruitment industry. REC membership demonstrates commitment to raising standards and adhering to the REC Code of Professional Practice. Sarah Thewlis served as REC Chair from 2020-2023.
• Change the Race RatiominorOthersCampaign to increase racial diversity on boards and senior leadership teams. Thewlis Graham Associates is a member demonstrating commitment to diversity in executive recruitment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Perrett Laver: UK-headquartered executive search firm specialising in leadership appointments for higher education, research, and not-for-profit sectors. Closely comparable to Thewlis Graham in niche focus, mission-led client base, and boutique international delivery model.
• Saxton Bampfylde: London-based executive search boutique with strong NFP and public sector exposure, including heritage and cultural institutions. Comparable in size, sector mix, and consultative, partner-led delivery style.
• Norman Broadbent: London-headquartered executive search and advisory firm operating in board, CEO and senior-level recruitment across multiple sectors. Comparable mid-sized UK peer with similar partner-led engagement model.

Broad incumbents

• Odgers Berndtson: One of the UK's largest executive search firms with broad sector coverage including a strong NFP practice. Direct competitor for board-level appointments at royal colleges, regulators and large charities, but operating at significantly greater scale.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm competing for senior leadership mandates across NFP, public and commercial sectors where Thewlis Graham operates, albeit with materially greater international reach and resource base.
• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search firm with a well-established not-for-profit practice. Competes for board and CEO placements at charities, royal colleges and regulators, while also serving a much broader commercial client base.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with strong executive placement and leadership advisory capability across sectors including NFP. Established brand that competes for the same senior-level appointments Thewlis Graham targets.
• Korn Ferry: Global organisational consulting and executive search firm with deep coverage across board-level appointments and a dedicated NFP/government practice. Considered when clients require scale, technology platforms, or international search reach that Thewlis Graham cannot provide alone.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with established NFP, healthcare and education practices that compete directly for board and senior executive mandates in the sectors Thewlis Graham serves.

Emerging players

• Alumni Global: Boutique international executive search firm with NFP and higher education specialisation. Comparable in mission and niche focus, with overlapping target client base in European markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1219177

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Thewlis Graham Associates