Haussmann Executive Search

What Haussmann Executive Search does

Haussmann Executive Search is a privately held, founder-owned executive search firm headquartered in Paris, France, founded in 2010 by Emmanuel Cazier (ex-Singer & Hamilton, Paribas, Arthur Andersen) and Nathanaël Trouiller (ex-Heidrick & Struggles, Egon Zehnder). The firm specializes in direct-approach retained search for senior executives, directors, and experts across five core verticals: real estate (its flagship), financial services, corporate finance, corporate functions, and retail/luxury, with insurance added more recently. Its core methodology is a four-step process (need definition, research, selection, follow-up) executed under exclusive client mandates, with fees structured as success-based retainers tied to placed-candidate compensation. No proprietary technology platform underlies the service; the value proposition rests entirely on partner-led sector expertise, long-built candidate networks, and confidential search execution.

Beyond its flagship Executive Search product, Haussmann operates two sister service brands: Haussmann Management Transition (interim leadership) and Haussmann Training (professional development), and produces proprietary content including two podcasts (PropTakers for real estate, Trajectoire de la Finance), annual compensation studies, and ESG thought-leadership content used to generate inbound mandates. The firm has no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no M&A history; growth has been entirely organic, driven by team expansion from two partners to roughly twenty professionals, the addition of six practice directors since 2015, and a 2025 surge of three senior financial-services director hires spanning wealth management, private equity & infrastructure, and CFO/portfolio company mandates. International reach into Europe, USA, Australia, and China is delivered through reciprocal partnerships with Ferguson Partners (London), Kollmannsperger (Germany), and Escalier International (Netherlands) rather than owned offices.

Name

Haussmann Executive Search

Legal name

Haussmann Executive Search

Website

https://haussmann-es.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Paris-based, founder-owned executive search firm founded in 2010, specializing in direct-approach retained mandates for senior executives across real estate, financial services, corporate finance, retail/luxury, and insurance verticals in France and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search and Recruitment Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF), Consumer & Retail Leadership Search (BPACAAAG), Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Headhunting recruitment
• Retained search mandates
• Talent acquisition
• Direct approach recruiting

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search / Retained Search: Retained executive search mandates for senior and expert roles across real estate, finance, corporate functions, luxury, and retail sectors. The firm operates on an exclusive partnership basis with clients, conducting confidential direct-approach recruitment. Fees are typically structured as success-based retainers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Haussmann Executive Search is a Paris-based retained executive search firm that identifies, selects, and places senior executives, managers, and experts for clients in the real estate, finance, luxury, retail, insurance, and corporate functions sectors. The firm uses a direct-approach (headhunting) methodology with a four-step process covering need definition, candidate research, shortlisting with reference checks, and onboarding follow-up. It also offers related services including interim management (Management Transition), professional training (Haussmann Training), senior advisor placements, compensation studies, and branded podcasts.

Product overview

Haussmann Executive Search is an international headhunting firm offering a suite of recruitment and talent services. Its core offerings include Executive Search (direct approach recruitment for executives, managers, and experts), Management Transition (interim leadership), and Haussmann Training (professional development). The firm complements its services with proprietary content through the PropTakers Podcast (real estate industry insights) and Trajectoire de la Finance Podcast (finance sector analysis), as well as annual Compensation Studies providing market intelligence on remuneration across real estate fund management, private equity, asset management, and real estate debt. Additionally, the Senior Advisor Placement service provides access to former executives for strategic consulting and network expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PropTakers: A podcast series featuring leaders transforming real estate.
• Trajectoire de la finance

Quantifiable outcome

• Shortlist of 3 to 4 candidates per mandate with detailed dossiers and reference checks on finalists.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pauline Déroulède (French Wheelchair Tennis Champion)minorOthers · 1 January 2022Haussmann Executive Search sponsors Pauline Déroulède, French wheelchair tennis champion (n°1 in France, n°16 world ranking as of July 2022), selected for the US Open and targeting Paris 2024 Paralympics. Sponsorship reflects Haussmann's company values: commitment, resilience, open-mindedness, perseverance, fighting spirit, optimism, and energy.
• ProxitéminorOthers · 21 July 2021Association developing relationships between professionals and young people experiencing difficulties (school, orientation, internship or first job search). A volunteer professional becomes a sponsor for a young person, providing regular personalized follow-up and support. Haussmann Executive Search is a partner of the Proxité association as part of its ESG/social impact policy.
• Master 246 – Paris Dauphine UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Long-term educational partnership with the Master Finance, 'Real Estate Management' course (Master 246) at Paris-Dauphine University. Haussmann supports the development of new real estate professionals as a partner of this RICS-accredited program. The partnership aligns with Haussmann's recruitment focus on the real estate value chain (investment/asset management, project management, real estate advice). Alumni of the Master 246 are present throughout the entire real estate value chain.
• Ferguson PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2015London-based direct approach firm specializing in the real estate sector. Partnership established to assist international clients with executive search needs. Enables Haussmann to serve clients outside France and offer candidates international career development opportunities. The partnership covers recruitments across Europe (Spain, England, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden), USA, Australia, and China.
• KollmannspergercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2015German law/cabinet integrated into the European platform established with Ferguson Partners. Enables Haussmann to conduct searches in Germany as part of the European platform.
• Escalier InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2015Dutch cabinet integrated into the European platform. Enables Haussmann to conduct searches in the Netherlands as part of the European platform established with Ferguson Partners.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search firm with a strong financial services and real assets practice. Highly comparable because Haussmann co-founder Nathanaël Trouiller previously worked at Egon Zehnder and the firm targets the same C-suite and senior leadership mandates in FS and real estate.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with deep financial services and real estate practices and a strong European presence. Both Haussmann co-founders worked at Heidrick & Struggles, and the firm directly competes for the same C-suite, FS and real estate mandates in Europe.
• Eric Salmon & Partners: European-headquartered executive search firm with strong financial services and private equity coverage. Highly comparable as a similarly sized international boutique that competes for senior FS, PE and real assets mandates across Continental Europe.
• Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with strong financial services and real estate sector coverage across Europe. Comparable as a similar-sized international boutique that targets the same C-suite and senior FS/real estate mandates.

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search incumbent with a strong financial services practice and a long-established Paris office. Competes for the same C-suite and senior FS/real estate mandates in France and Europe, with a much larger bench.
• Korn Ferry: Global organisational consulting firm with a major executive search division covering financial services, real estate and PE. Comparable as an incumbent that competes for the same senior mandates; Haussmann's 2025 hire Pierre-Hubert Rochefort was previously at Korn Ferry's PE portfolio companies practice.
• Lincoln International: Global mid-market investment banking advisory with an executive search-adjacent practice focused on senior FS and PE leadership. Comparable in the financial services and private markets talent space; Haussmann director Édouard du Rusquec was previously a Principal at Lincoln.

Emerging players

• Dartmouth Partners: Boutique search firm focused on financial services and private equity portfolio company mandates in Europe. Highly comparable in niche and target roles, and Haussmann's 2025 hire Valentin Chabault previously worked at Dartmouth Partners.
• Maesina International Search: Paris-based direct approach search firm specialising in marketing, sales and real estate functions. Directly comparable in geography and methodology, and Haussmann consultant Raphaël Graca was previously at Maesina.
• Robert Half: Global staffing and recruitment firm with a dedicated financial services and asset management practice. Comparable as a competing provider of financial services talent acquisition in France; Haussmann FS director Pierre Nicolle previously worked at Robert Half.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=r2MKTR7LxIM

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Haussmann Executive Search