Maes & Lunau

What Maes & Lunau does

Maes & Lunau is a privately held Dutch executive search firm founded in 1978 and headquartered in Amsterdam, operating as a 100% independent boutique with international reach through the Penrhyn International network. The firm serves boards, supervisory councils, and executive leadership teams in both the private and public sectors, placing C-suite executives, supervisory directors, and key management positions across approximately 15 verticals including healthcare, education, government, financial services, industry, technology, energy, agri-food, and defense. Its service portfolio spans three core lines — Executive Search, Interim Management, and Leadership Development — supplemented by the chiefmachers sub-brand for emerging leaders and the Avicenna-partnered Leergang Toezicht & Commissariaat supervisory training programme.

The firm operates a project-based, quote-driven professional services model with multi-year client relationships, engaging through confidential direct consultations led by senior partners and a research consultant team with backgrounds in organizational psychology, law, and management. Approximately 25 colleagues work on assignments, including three Managing Partners, four Partners, dedicated consultants within chiefmachers, and a research team supported by a Trainer & Database Administrator. The technology stack centers on an executive search platform and CRM for candidate tracking, with stated AI applications in candidate-to-role matching, process automation, and predictive talent pool analytics, currently being scaled through a Data & AI Analyst hire.

Commercially, the firm combines field-based enterprise engagement with content marketing, including a seasonal podcast ('Gesprekken aan de Amstel') and thought-leadership publishing, primarily targeting top-of-funnel awareness within the Dutch boardroom ecosystem. Governance is GDPR-compliant and the firm maintains partnerships with Avicenna (training), JINC and Voedselbank (CSR initiatives), while Penrhyn International provides cross-border capability without diluting local independence.

Name

Maes & Lunau

Legal name

Maes & Lunau

Website

https://maeslunau.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maes & Lunau is a privately held Amsterdam-based executive search firm founded in 1978 that places C-suite executives, supervisory directors, and key managers for boards and leadership teams across Dutch private and public sectors, operating as an independent boutique via the Penrhyn International network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Sector, Education & Nonprofit Leadership Search (BPACAAAI), Healthcare & Life Sciences Leadership Search (BPACAAAE), Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF), Industrial & Engineering Leadership Search (BPACAAAD)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Leadership consulting
• Board recruitment
• Interim management
• Supervisory board placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Project-based executive search engagements for placing senior leaders including board members, supervisory directors, C-suite executives, and key management positions. The firm guides clients from search through onboarding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Maes & Lunau is a Dutch executive search firm that finds and places senior leaders—including board members, supervisory directors, and C-suite executives—for organizations in both the private and public sectors. The firm supplements its core executive search with interim management placements, leadership development programs, and a sub-brand (chiefmachers) focused on emerging leaders, operating under a 100% independent model with international reach via Penrhyn International.

Product overview

Maes & Lunau operates as an executive search firm offering a unified portfolio of leadership services. The core offering centers on Executive Search for filling board, director, and key leadership positions, supplemented by Interim Management for rapid leadership needs and Leadership Development programs. The company also runs chiefmachers as a subsidiary brand targeting future leadership talent, and offers the Leergang Toezicht & Commissariaat (Supervisory Programme) for professional development of commissioners. Content and insights are shared through the 'Gesprekken aan de Amstel' podcast series. The firm operates independently with international reach via Penrhyn International membership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• chiefmachers: A sub-brand focusing on future leadership and executive search for emerging leaders.

Products and services

• Executive Search Project-based search engagements placing board members, supervisory directors, C-suite executives, and key management positions. The firm guides clients from search through onboarding, assessing candidates on mandate fit, culture, and drivers rather than CV alone.
• Interim Management Provision of senior leaders who make immediate impact within short timeframes for organizations requiring rapid leadership solutions or transitional executive coverage.
• Leadership Development Reflection and development programs for leaders and teams focused on sustainable governance and long-term organizational growth.
• chiefmachers Specialized subsidiary brand operated as a separate consultant team, focusing executive search on emerging and future leaders.
• Leergang Toezicht & Commissariaat (Supervisory Programme) Educational programme for aspiring and current supervisory board members and commissioners, delivered in partnership with Avicenna to build supervisory governance capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% independent

Named customers4 records

Segments15 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Penrhyn InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of executive search specialists. Maes & Lunau is a member, providing international reach while maintaining local Dutch expertise. The partnership enables access to executive search professionals worldwide while leveraging deep knowledge of Dutch boardrooms.
• AvicennaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Leergang Toezicht & Commissariaat (Supervisory Programme), a compact practical training programme for supervisors and commissioners.
• JINCminorOthersSocial responsibility initiative. JINC focuses on helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds prepare for the job market through mentorship and internship programs.
• Voedselbank (Food Bank)minorOthersSocial responsibility initiative supporting the food bank to address food insecurity in the Netherlands.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Largest global organizational consulting firm combining executive search with broader talent and HR advisory, with a Dutch presence competing for premium mandates. Operates at vastly greater scale and breadth than Maes & Lunau.
• Boyden: Global executive search firm with a partnership model and established Dutch presence serving board and senior leadership mandates across multiple sectors. Comparable in partnership structure and global reach aspirations.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the leading global executive search firms with a well-established Amsterdam presence serving Dutch and multinational clients on CEO, board, and senior leadership appointments. Comparable premium positioning but with materially larger scale.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a strong Amsterdam office and long-standing reputation in Dutch boardroom placements. Operates broadly across C-suite and board mandates, with deeper bench and global brand pull than Maes & Lunau.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with an established Amsterdam office serving Dutch boards and C-suites. Comparable premium segment focus but listed, larger, and globally branded.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on board, CEO, and senior leadership appointments, with a Dutch office serving premium-segment clients. Directly comparable in mandate type but at significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Amrop: Global executive search partnership with a strong European and Dutch presence, structured as an independent partnership of member firms. Shares Maes & Lunau's independent-partnership DNA while operating at significantly larger international scale.
• De Vroedt & Thierry: Dutch executive search boutique headquartered in the Netherlands, focused on senior leadership and board appointments. Closely comparable in size, geography, and mid-sized boutique positioning.
• Top of Minds: Amsterdam-based executive search boutique focused on senior leadership and board placements in the Dutch market, with a similar mid-sized partner-led delivery model and premium positioning. Highly comparable in geography, scale, and target client base.

Regional players

• Merito: Dutch HR and executive search consultancy operating primarily in the Netherlands with comparable premium search and leadership development offerings. Comparable in regional focus and boutique scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maes-&-lunau
• Xx.com/maesenlunau

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Maes & Lunau