RGF Executive Search

What RGF Executive Search does

RGF Executive Search is a bilingual executive search firm headquartered in Tokyo with a regional office in Osaka, operating under the legal entity RGF Talent Solutions Japan K.K. Founded in 1998, the firm specializes in placing bilingual professionals into senior and executive roles for multinational corporations, Japanese companies, and startups operating in Japan. The company's core offering comprises four service lines: Retained Search (exclusive upfront-fee senior-level placement), Contingency Search (performance-based placement), Start-up Consulting (advisory for emerging companies), and Market Mapping (talent intelligence research), supported by a dedicated Market Intelligence Team. Industry coverage spans Consumer & Digital Markets, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial & Manufacturing, Professional Services, Real Estate & Property Services, and Technology, with functional specialization in Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Supply Chain, and Taxation.

The firm generates revenue through success-based placement fees set at 200% of the placed candidate's annual salary, with a 50% refund if the candidate resigns within three months of placement. No fees are charged to candidates. Distribution is direct-to-employer through specialized consultant teams organized by industry vertical and functional area. The company also operates a digital job board and candidate portal. It has been recognized as Japan's 'Executive Search Company of the Year' by Recruitment International Awards in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018.

RGF's core technology consists of consultant expertise, candidate networks, and proprietary market intelligence rather than software platforms; no proprietary AI or technology systems are disclosed. The firm is undergoing a corporate ownership transition: effective April 1, 2026, it will move from Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. to Fullcast Holdings Co., Ltd. as parent company, with no announced changes to operations, services, or team structure. Struan McKay serves as Representative Director and CEO/COO.

Name

RGF Executive Search

Legal name

RGF Talent Solutions Japan K.K.

Website

https://rgf-executive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

RGF Executive Search is a bilingual executive search firm founded in 1998 in Tokyo and Osaka, placing senior and executive-level bilingual professionals for multinational corporations, Japanese companies, and startups across seven industry verticals on a success-based fee model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB), Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF), Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC), Healthcare & Life Sciences Leadership Search (BPACAAAE)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Bilingual recruitment
• Senior management hiring
• Headhunting services
• Talent acquisition consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Yau Tsim Mong

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Placement Fees: RGF Executive Search charges employers success-based fees for successful candidate placements. The standard fee structure is 200% of the placed candidate's annual salary, payable upon successful placement. A 50% refund is provided if the placed candidate resigns within 3 months of placement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

RGF Executive Search Japan is a bilingual executive search firm that identifies, evaluates, and secures senior executives and bilingual professionals for employers in Japan. The firm delivers four core service lines: Retained Search (exclusive, upfront-fee senior-level placement), Contingency Search (performance-based placement), Start-up Consulting (advisory for emerging companies building leadership teams), and Market Mapping (talent intelligence and research). Services are delivered by industry-specialized consultants covering Consumer & Digital Markets, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial & Manufacturing, Professional Services, Real Estate & Property Services, and Technology.

Product overview

RGF Executive Search Japan is a bilingual executive search and recruitment service firm established in 1998 with offices in Tokyo and Osaka. The company operates as a single unified service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core portfolio consists of four interconnected recruitment service lines: Retained Search (exclusive, upfront-fee senior-level placement), Contingency Search (performance-based placement), Start-up Consulting (advisory for emerging companies), and Market Mapping (talent intelligence and research). These services are delivered through industry-specialized consultants covering sectors including Consumer & Digital Markets, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial & Manufacturing, Professional Services, Real Estate & Property Services, and Technology, supported by functional expertise in Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Supply Chain, and Taxation. The company also operates a digital candidate portal for job searching and applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retained Search A dedicated, upfront-fee executive search service where clients engage RGF exclusively to fill senior-level positions, ensuring focused attention and commitment to the search until completion. Targeted at employers seeking senior executive talent in Japan.
• Contingency Search A performance-based recruitment service where RGF is paid only upon successful placement of a candidate, offering clients a lower upfront commitment while leveraging RGF's candidate network. Targeted at employers seeking mid to senior-level bilingual talent.
• Start-up Consulting Specialized recruitment advisory services for start-up companies seeking to build leadership teams, helping emerging businesses attract talent suited to their unique culture and growth trajectory. Targeted at venture-backed and emerging growth companies.
• Market Mapping Comprehensive talent market intelligence and mapping services that identify and analyze potential candidates within specific industries, functions, or geographic regions to inform recruitment strategy. Targeted at employers seeking market intelligence before launching a search.
• Job Board / Candidate Portal An online job portal allowing candidates to search and apply for positions across multiple industries and functions in Japan, with features for CV submission and job alerts. Targeted at bilingual professionals seeking executive and senior management career opportunities.

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered parent company and former parent company.

• Fullcast Holdings Co., Ltd.parent companyOthers · 1 April 2026RGF Talent Solutions Japan K.K., the entity operating RGF Executive Search Japan, is scheduled to continue under new parent company Fullcast Holdings Co., Ltd. effective April 1, 2026, as announced jointly with Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.former parent companyOthers · 1 April 2026Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. has been the parent company of RGF Talent Solutions Japan K.K. and announced the transfer of shares along with Fullcast Holdings effective April 1, 2026.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Egon Zehnder: Egon Zehnder is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm with operations across Asia including Japan, focused on board, CEO, and senior executive placements. Competes with RGF on premium retained mandates for top-tier executive roles in Japan.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles is a global executive search firm with significant Asia-Pacific operations including Japan, competing for C-suite and senior leadership searches. Comparable to RGF for senior retained mandates and increasingly overlapping through its proprietary digital tools.
• Spencer Stuart: Spencer Stuart is a leading global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a Tokyo office serving Japanese and multinational clients for senior executive and board appointments. Directly comparable to RGF at the senior end of the retained search market in Japan.
• Robert Half Japan: Robert Half Japan is the Japanese arm of global staffing firm Robert Half, providing finance, accounting, technology, and administrative recruitment in Tokyo. Broader incumbent than RGF in terms of service scope but overlaps in mid-to-senior finance, accounting, and technology placements.
• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with a major executive search practice operating in Tokyo, serving Fortune 500 clients for C-suite and board-level placements. Competes with RGF on premium retained search mandates, particularly for large multinational clients operating in Japan.

Direct peers

• Selby Jennings: Selby Jennings is a specialist recruitment firm focused on financial services, with operations in Tokyo placing professionals across banking, asset management, and fintech. Directly comparable to RGF's financial services vertical with overlapping client base and similar fee structures.
• Michael Page Japan: Michael Page Japan is part of the PageGroup, offering executive search and permanent recruitment in Tokyo and across Japan for mid-to-senior management roles. Overlaps directly with RGF's service portfolio in industry verticals including financial services, technology, and consumer markets.
• Hays Japan: Hays Japan is a global recruitment firm with a strong Tokyo presence providing executive and professional hiring across financial services, technology, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Directly competes with RGF on bilingual mid-to-senior placements and uses a similar contingency and retained search fee structure.
• Morgan McKinley: Morgan McKinley is a global professional services recruitment firm with a strong Japan presence focused on financial services, accounting, and technology sectors. Direct peer for bilingual mid-to-senior placements in Tokyo, particularly in financial services verticals where RGF also concentrates.
• Robert Walters Japan: Robert Walters Japan is a direct competitor to RGF Executive Search, offering bilingual permanent and contract recruitment for mid-to-senior level professionals across multiple industries in Tokyo and Osaka. Operates a similar fee-based executive search model with comparable industry verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rgfexec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rgf-international-recruitment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 RGF Executive Search