Hedley May
Hedley May is a privately held boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm, founded in 2009, that places C-suite and senior corporate-function leaders (Corporate Affairs, HR, Finance, Risk, Legal) for FTSE 100/250, PE-backed, and large US corporates via retained, consultative mandates from its London and New York offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hedley May does
Hedley May is a privately held, boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm founded in 2009 by Nick Hedley and headquartered in London, with a secondary office in New York. The firm operates across six specialized practice areas — Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, HR & Reward, Finance & Audit, Risk & Compliance, Legal & Corporate Governance, and Leadership Assessment — serving FTSE 100, FTSE 250, publicly listed, and private equity-backed businesses in the UK, Europe, and the US, including named engagements with Financial Services firms, Blue Chip Engineering companies, a Fortune 50 Multinational Conglomerate, and a Wall Street Law Firm. Its go-to-market is direct, consultative, and relationship-driven, focused on retained executive search mandates for boards, CEOs, and leadership teams of large enterprises, with multi-year contract cadence and bespoke fee arrangements.
The firm's core methodology combines deep functional expertise with proprietary psychometric assessment tools delivered in partnership with market-leading occupational psychologists, supporting both candidate evaluation and post-hire leadership assessment. Its technology footprint is intentionally limited: assessment capability is sourced from third-party psychologist partners rather than in-house AI/ML systems, and there is no public API, SDK, or productized software offering. The firm does not appear to pursue technology-enabled scaling, instead emphasising quality-over-volume, a "whole firm approach" across both offices, and content-led thought leadership ("HM Thinking") distributed via LinkedIn, research reports (e.g., Top Team Dynamic, CEO Ripple Effect), and industry events.
Hedley May is financed entirely by operating cash flow with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or funding rounds. Headcount is approximately 26 team members. Operational metrics cited by the firm include 71% repeat-client revenue, 89% of placements achieving market-leading tenure, NPS ranking in the top 3% for client service, and over 50% of appointments in the last five years being diverse placements. Community engagement includes a $100,000 donation to Girls Inc. of New York City in February 2025, sustained sponsorship of the UK Social Mobility Awards' Recruitment Programme of the Year since 2018, and The King's Trust Walk 3.0 fundraising initiative.
Hedley May firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hedley May
- Legal name
- Hedley May
- Website
- https://hedleymay.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hedley May is a privately held boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm, founded in 2009, that places C-suite and senior corporate-function leaders (Corporate Affairs, HR, Finance, Risk, Legal) for FTSE 100/250, PE-backed, and large US corporates via retained, consultative mandates from its London and New York offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hedley May 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
- Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Banking, Risk, Compliance & Quantitative Staffing (BPACADAN), Finance, Accounting & Audit Staffing (BPACADAM)
Keywords
Where Hedley May is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hedley May business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Executive Search Services: Retained executive search services for C-suite and executive committee appointments across corporate functions including Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, HR & Reward, Finance & Audit, Risk & Compliance, and Legal & Corporate Governance. They also provide leadership assessment and advisory services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke executive search mandates tailored to client requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Hedley May product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hedley May is a boutique executive search firm that delivers retained, bespoke mandates to identify and place world-class leaders across six corporate function practice areas: Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, HR & Reward, Finance & Audit, Risk & Compliance, Legal & Corporate Governance, and Leadership Assessment. The firm serves boards, CEOs, and leadership teams of FTSE 100/250 companies, financial services firms, professional services partnerships, and private equity-backed businesses in the UK, Europe, and the US.
Product overview
Hedley May is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm offering specialized executive search services across six core practice areas: Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, HR & Reward, Finance & Audit, Risk & Compliance, Legal & Corporate Governance, and Leadership Assessment. The firm specializes in finding world-class talent that strengthens leadership performance for FTSE 100, FTSE 250 companies, and privately-owned businesses in the UK, Europe, and the US. Their service model emphasizes deep market knowledge, bespoke processes, innovative thinking, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in executive appointments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Executive Search Retained executive search services identifying leaders who steer organisations through the complex intersection of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, including Corporate and Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Policy, Employee Engagement, and Sustainability. Targeted at FTSE 100/250 corporates and large multinationals.
Quantifiable outcome
- 89% of placements achieve market-leading tenure
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hedley May
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Hedley May technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Hedley May partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Girls Inc. of New York CitycoreHedley May made a $100,000 donation to support Girls Inc. of New York City's Personal Branding Program, a key component of Project Accelerate designed to place young women in influential leadership roles. The partnership includes volunteering and sponsorship initiatives.
- Making the LeapcoreLondon-based charity improving social mobility by raising aspirations of young people from poorer backgrounds. Hedley May volunteers through CV workshops and mock interview sessions, building confidence and improving access to opportunities.
- The King's TrustcoreGlobal network of support for young people enabling them to build skills for a brighter future. Hedley May supports through The Hedley May Walk 3.0 initiative, a 350-mile trek raising £250,000 for the charity.
- UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs)minorHedley May has been proud sponsors of the Recruitment Programme of the Year category since the recruitment award was launched in 2018. The SOMOs recognize and encourage action promoting social mobility.
- Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice (SLJ)corePublic high school in Brooklyn preparing students from underserved communities for educational and career success. Hedley May helps students finalize college applications, leads interview skills workshops, and supports fundraising efforts.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hedley May competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Spencer Stuart: One of the largest global executive search firms with deep functional practice areas including CFO, CHRO, CCO, and board advisory; competes directly with Hedley May for FTSE 100/250 corporate function mandates.
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search firm with strong CEO succession, board, and functional leadership practices; directly comparable to Hedley May's retained search model serving FTSE and large corporate clients.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with explicit Financial Services, Legal, Risk & Compliance, and HR practices — directly competing in the same functional niches as Hedley May.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with strong functional practices across CFO, CHRO, CCO, and board; comparable boutique-style positioning with similar FTSE and large-cap corporate client base.
- Odgers Berndtson: UK-headquartered international executive search firm with strong FTSE 100/250 presence and functional practices across finance, HR, risk, and legal — closest UK-based direct peer to Hedley May in scale and client profile.
- Caldwell Partners: North American executive search firm with strong Financial Services and functional leadership practices; comparable boutique positioning serving large enterprise clients.
- Norman Broadbent: UK-based boutique executive search firm with comparable functional practices (CFO, CHRO, Risk, Legal) and similar FTSE client base; closest size-and-strategy peer to Hedley May in the UK boutique segment.
Broad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: Largest publicly listed executive search and organizational consulting firm; competes for FTSE mandates across all functional areas but operates at much greater scale with adjacent RPO and consulting services.
- Harvey Nash: Global executive search and professional services firm with strong UK FTSE presence across functional leadership and technology; broader portfolio including MSP/RPO offerings adjacent to Hedley May's pure search model.
Emerging players
- True Search: Specialist executive search firm focused on PE-backed and growth-stage companies; competes for corporate function appointments in the PE-backed segment that is a key client vertical for Hedley May.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hedley May social profiles
Digital presenceHedley May financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hedley May leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Hedley May funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hedley May M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hedley May
What does Hedley May do?
Hedley May is a boutique executive search firm that delivers retained, bespoke mandates to identify and place world-class leaders across six corporate function practice areas: Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, HR & Reward, Finance & Audit, Risk & Compliance, Legal & Corporate Governance, and Leadership Assessment. The firm serves boards, CEOs, and leadership teams of FTSE 100/250 companies, financial services firms, professional services partnerships, and private equity-backed businesses in the UK, Europe, and the US.
Is Hedley May a public or private company?
Hedley May is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Hedley May founded?
Hedley May was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hedley May based?
Hedley May is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hedley May make money?
One revenue line is on record: executive Search Services.
Who are Hedley May's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates, Odgers Berndtson, Caldwell Partners and Norman Broadbent. Broad incumbents are Korn Ferry and Harvey Nash. True Search is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hedley May have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hedley May.
What industry is Hedley May in?
Hedley May's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAF, Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt), with a secondary code of BPACADAN, Banking, Risk, Compliance & Quantitative Staffing. Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.