Inclusive Boards
Inclusive Boards is a UK-based, black-owned executive search and advisory firm specializing in diversity and inclusion, placing board-level and senior leaders across charity, public sector, sport, finance, legal, and STEM verticals. It serves a 60,000+ network of diverse senior professionals and 150+ organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Inclusive Boards does
Inclusive Boards is a UK-based executive search and advisory firm specializing in diversity and inclusion at board and senior leadership levels. Founded around 2018 and headquartered in London with a secondary office in Nottingham, the firm places trustees, non-executive directors, chairs, and C-level executives across the charity, public sector, NHS, sport, finance, legal, and STEM sectors, and serves an active global network of over 60,000 diverse senior professionals. Its core products include retained Executive Search, ILM-accredited Leadership Development programmes (Transformational Leadership Programme and Women in Leadership Programme), bespoke Training & Advisory services (diversity audits, inclusive recruitment training, EDI action plans), and the Inclusive Courses EdTech platform for online EDI learning. The firm also publishes proprietary research including the IB100 (with the Financial Times), the Inclusive Finance Report, the Women in the UK Engineering Sector Report, and the Disability in Leadership Toolkit, and operates a not-for-profit subsidiary, Inclusive Campaigns CIC.
The business model is professional services, generating revenue through bespoke, quote-based engagements rather than disclosed pricing tiers. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales via dedicated consultants managing end-to-end search and advisory mandates, supported by a self-serve candidate portal that feeds the talent pipeline. The firm holds ILM accreditation for its leadership programmes, corporate membership of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, and Cyber Essentials certification. Inclusive Boards is a black-owned and black-led SME, with reported outcomes of over 68% of appointments being women, over 40% from minority ethnic backgrounds, and over 10% identifying as disabled in the last year, and has supported over 100 governing bodies to comply with sports governance codes.
Inclusive Boards firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Inclusive Boards
- Legal name
- Inclusive Boards Limited
- Website
- https://inclusiveboards.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Inclusive Boards is a UK-based, black-owned executive search and advisory firm specializing in diversity and inclusion, placing board-level and senior leaders across charity, public sector, sport, finance, legal, and STEM verticals. It serves a 60,000+ network of diverse senior professionals and 150+ organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Inclusive Boards industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search & Diversity Advisory
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (81341)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Governance & Board Effectiveness Advisory (BPAHAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Inclusive Leadership & Leading Diverse Teams (EDABAAAM)
Keywords
Where Inclusive Boards is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Inclusive Boards business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Executive Search Services: Retained executive search services for placing senior leaders including trustees, non-executive directors, chairs, and C-level executives on boards across charity, public, private, and STEM sectors.
- Leadership Development Programs: Accredited leadership development programs including ILM-accredited transformational leadership programs and women in leadership programs, combining academic-led online learning, facilitated training, and peer support.
- Training and Advisory Services: Bespoke diversity and inclusion training, diversity audits, reviews, and action plans for organizations seeking to improve their EDI strategies and practices.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Inclusive Boards product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Inclusive Boards is a UK-based executive search and advisory firm specialising in diversity and inclusion. Its core services include retained executive search for board-level and senior leadership roles (Trustees, Non-Executive Directors, Chairs, C-suite) across the charity, public, private, and STEM sectors, complemented by ILM-accredited leadership development programmes, bespoke EDI training and advisory, and an online learning platform (Inclusive Courses).
Product overview
Inclusive Boards is an executive search and advisory firm specialising in diversity and inclusion, offering a portfolio of interconnected services. The core offerings include Executive Search for board-level and senior leadership recruitment, and Leadership Development programmes (including Transformational Leadership Programme and Women in Leadership Programme) that are ILM accredited. The company operates Inclusive Courses, an EdTech platform providing online EDI training. Training & Advisory services deliver bespoke diversity training, audits, and action plans. Research publications including the IB100 power list, Inclusive Finance Report, Women in Engineering Report, and Disability in Leadership Toolkit support the company's evidence-based approach. Inclusive Campaigns CIC extends social impact through not-for-profit initiatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Executive Search Diversity-focused executive search service connecting organisations with accomplished candidates for board-level and senior leadership roles including Trustees, NEDs, Chairs, and C-Suite executives using a skills-first approach. For organisations in charity, public, private and STEM sectors.
- Leadership Development Accredited leadership development programmes and online learning courses designed to improve personal and professional development outcomes for underrepresented leaders. For individuals and organisations seeking to build diverse leadership pipelines.
- Transformational Leadership Programme An ILM-accredited programme combining leadership development and capacity building for individuals in Lambeth and Southwark, with organisations receiving bespoke advisory services alongside. For individuals and organisations in those communities.
- Women in Leadership Programme A programme combining academic-led online learning, facilitated training and peer support to develop women leaders and help them achieve professional development goals. For women leaders and the organisations that employ them.
- Inclusive Courses A dedicated EdTech platform offering flexible, affordable online learning for individuals and organisations, featuring courses on Implementing Equality Diversity & Inclusion, Inclusive Recruitment Practices, and Personal Branding.
- Training & Advisory Diversity and inclusion advisory and training services including bespoke training on topics such as introduction to EDI for senior leaders, inclusive recruitment, diversity audits, reviews, and action plans. For organisations seeking to improve their EDI strategies and practices.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 68% of appointments in the last year have been women
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Inclusive Boards
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Inclusive Boards technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Inclusive Boards partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Financial TimescorePartnership with Financial Times for the IB100 initiative - a list of the top 100 most influential black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders in the UK tech sector. The collaboration enhances credibility and reach of the research initiative.
- University of NottinghamminorInternship partnership with University of Nottingham providing placement opportunities for undergraduates and graduates. Part of commitment to early career development and awareness of ethical employment practices.
- Recruitment and Employment ConfederationcoreCorporate membership of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), demonstrating professional standards and adherence to industry codes of practice.
- ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management)coreLeadership programmes are ILM accredited, ensuring quality and recognition of their leadership development offerings.
- Inclusive Campaigns CICcoreThe not-for-profit arm of Inclusive Boards that extends social impact through campaigns and events, working with specific communities and partners to make a difference.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Inclusive Boards competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Odgers Berndtson: UK-headquartered international executive search firm with strong public and third sector practices. Directly comparable for board and senior leadership placements in UK charities, NHS, and government.
- Spencer Stuart: One of the world's leading board and executive search firms with a long-standing board diversity practice. Competes with Inclusive Boards for senior-level and board appointments across the UK and internationally.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion practice serving corporate and non-profit boards. Directly competes with Inclusive Boards on senior-level diversity mandates but operates at far greater scale globally.
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a strong board practice. Comparable on board effectiveness, governance advisory, and senior executive placement services.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with explicit board diversity and CEO succession practices. Comparable because it places diverse board members and senior leaders across nonprofit and corporate clients, overlapping directly with Inclusive Boards' core offering.
- Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a major executive search business and DEI advisory offerings. Comparable as it provides end-to-end leadership advisory, search, and diversity consulting to large enterprises.
Direct peers
- BoardWalk Consulting: Executive search firm exclusively focused on placing diverse executives and board members. Comparable as a dedicated diversity-focused search competitor, particularly for nonprofit and corporate board mandates.
- The Pipeline: UK non-profit focused on advancing women into senior leadership through mentoring and leadership programmes. Comparable because it addresses the same diversity pipeline gap as Inclusive Boards' leadership development programmes.
- Green Park: UK-based executive search and diversity advisory firm focused on placing diverse senior leaders in FTSE, public sector, and third sector organizations. Highly comparable as a UK-focused D&I-led boutique search competitor.
Emerging players
- Diverse Leaders: Boutique UK executive search firm focused on placing diverse board members and senior leaders. A direct niche competitor with overlapping client base in UK charities, sport, and public sector.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Inclusive Boards social profiles
Digital presenceInclusive Boards compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Inclusive Boards financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Inclusive Boards leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Inclusive Boards subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Inclusive Boards funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Inclusive Boards M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Inclusive Boards
What does Inclusive Boards do?
Inclusive Boards is a UK-based executive search and advisory firm specialising in diversity and inclusion. Its core services include retained executive search for board-level and senior leadership roles (Trustees, Non-Executive Directors, Chairs, C-suite) across the charity, public, private, and STEM sectors, complemented by ILM-accredited leadership development programmes, bespoke EDI training and advisory, and an online learning platform (Inclusive Courses).
Is Inclusive Boards a public or private company?
Inclusive Boards is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Inclusive Boards founded?
Inclusive Boards was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Inclusive Boards based?
Inclusive Boards is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Inclusive Boards make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Executive Search Services are the primary driver. The others are leadership Development Programs and training and Advisory Services.
Who are Inclusive Boards's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Odgers Berndtson, Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Egon Zehnder, Russell Reynolds Associates and Korn Ferry. Direct peers are BoardWalk Consulting, The Pipeline and Green Park. Diverse Leaders is listed as an emerging player.
Does Inclusive Boards have an API?
No public API is recorded for Inclusive Boards.
What industry is Inclusive Boards in?
Inclusive Boards's product category is Executive Search & Diversity Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAFAC, Governance & Board Effectiveness Advisory, with a secondary code of EDABAAAM, Inclusive Leadership & Leading Diverse Teams. Its NAICS code is 81341.