INAC Global Executive Search

What INAC Global Executive Search does

INAC Global Executive Search is a privately held, The Hague-headquartered federation of independent retained executive search firms operating 60+ affiliated offices across 36 countries and 6 continents. Founded circa 1974 and led by President and co-founder Rui Borges, the network is governed by an elected Board (reconstituted in July 2024 for a three-year term) and delivers retained executive search, board search, leadership assessment and succession planning, executive coaching and onboarding, and interim management to enterprise clients worldwide. Member firms retain independent ownership while operating under the INAC affiliation, with cross-border business exchange actively tracked and rewarded (e.g., INAC Colombia winning the Business Achievement Award in 2019 and 2021).

The core service offering is retained executive search, supplemented by four adjacent modules: Board Search (seven-step process for public/private boards), Leadership Assessment & Succession Planning, Executive Coaching & Onboarding, and Interim Search. The network organizes expertise around nine industry practice groups (Industrial & Manufacturing, Financial Services & Banking, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Energy/Natural Resources/Infrastructures, Consumer & Retail, Technology/Digital/Telecommunications, Education/Non-Profit/Government, Agribusiness & Agriscience, and Professional Services). Supporting technology includes the NotActivelyLooking.com private candidate portal (Global Talent Pool), structured competency-based interview frameworks, and avatar-based candidate engagement pioneered by the German member firm Grünewald Consulting. INAC has been recognized on the Hunt Scanlon Global 40 list for five consecutive years (2020-2024).

Revenue mechanics follow the standard professional-services retained search model: project/engagement-based pricing with phased retainers and success fees, not publicly disclosed and quote-based per mandate. Distribution is federated direct sales — each mandate is sourced and delivered locally by the relevant member firm, with cross-border coordination through regional hubs in Madrid (EMEA), Melbourne (APAC), and Buenos Aires/Denver (AMER). Recent growth has come from onboarding new member firms (TARGET Group across CEE in Jan 2020; GSA Türkiye Sept 2024; Chemical Search International Oct 2024) rather than from any central fundraising, and INAC has no parent company, institutional ownership, or external funding disclosed. Customer intake is via the network contact form and the NAL talent portal; marketing is primarily thought-leadership content, flagship events (annual global meeting and regional EMEA/LATAM/APAC meetings), webinars, and earned media.

Name

INAC Global Executive Search

Legal name

INAC Global Executive Search

Website

https://inac-global.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

INAC Global Executive Search is a privately held federation of independent retained executive search firms, operating 60+ affiliated offices across 36 countries and serving enterprise clients with executive search, board search, leadership assessment, coaching, and interim management services.

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), Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC)

Keywords

• Retained executive search
• Board director recruitment
• Leadership assessment services
• Executive coaching onboarding
• Interim management placement

Headquarters

HQ city

The Hague

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices65 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search: Core revenue stream. Retained (fee-based, paid in phases across the search) executive search engagements for board, C-suite and senior-level roles across all functions and industries. Multi-step engagements covering research, candidate identification, competency-based interviews, reference checking and post-placement follow-up.
2. Board Search: Specialized search practice recruiting directors for public/private company boards, advisory boards, industry boards and nonprofit boards. Sold on a retained basis, typically structured around a seven-step comprehensive process.
3. Interim Management / Interim Search: Placements of interim executives for defined projects or periods — bridging skill gaps, supporting M&A/consolidation, leading crisis management or transformational change programs. Engagements are typically time-bound and project-based.
4. Leadership Development, Coaching & Onboarding: Executive coaching engagements and structured onboarding programs delivered by certified executive coaches across the network. Onboarding accelerates assimilation of newly placed executives into senior leadership roles; coaching supports personal and professional development of leaders and senior management teams.
5. Leadership Assessment & Succession Planning: Consulting engagements mapping internal abilities against future organizational requirements, including talent review strategy, internal leadership talent assessment and benchmark, and protocols for leader positioning and development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

INAC Global Executive Search is a federated network of independent retained executive search firms that delivers senior-level executive search, board of director recruitment, leadership assessment, executive coaching/onboarding, and interim management placements to corporate, public-sector, and nonprofit clients across 36 countries and 6 continents. Engagements are delivered through 60+ affiliated member offices, applying competency-based interviews, research-driven sourcing, advanced assessment tools, and post-placement development support.

Product overview

INAC Global Executive Search is not a single SaaS product but a coordinated service platform — a global network of independent, retained executive search firms operating 60+ affiliated offices across 36 countries and 6 continents. The core service offering is centered on Executive Search, supported by a suite of dedicated modules: Leadership Assessment (for succession planning and high-potential identification), Leadership Development / Coaching & Onboarding (for executive integration and performance), Interim Search (for transitional leadership needs), and Board Search (for director-level appointments). These modules are organized around nine Industry Practice Groups (Industrial & Manufacturing, Financial Services & Banking, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Energy/Natural Resources/Infrastructures, Consumer & Retail, Technology/Digital/Telecommunications, Education/Non-Profit/Government, Agribusiness & Agriscience, and Professional Services), and reinforced by the Global Talent Pool — a confidential candidate portal operated in partnership with NotActivelyLooking.com (NAL). Community and governance are delivered through INAC's Annual General Assembly, regional meetings (EMEA, APAC, AMER, LATAM), and a board-led network strategy, all unified under the brand promise "The Mark of Search Excellence."

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search
• Board Search
• Leadership Assessment

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of CEOs believe the CHRO should play a central role in long-term growth (Accenture, cited in INAC article)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chemical Search InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Press release in October 2024 announced Chemical Search International as a new INAC Global member, specialized in executive search for the global chemical sector and its value chain. Headquartered in London with offices in New York and Singapore. Led by CEO Stephen J. Mothersole. Brings 25+ years of chemical industry executive search expertise and broadens INAC's chemical-industry footprint across UK, US and Singapore.
• GSA Search & Advisory (INAC Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024GSA officially joined the INAC Global family as partner in Turkey on September 1, 2024, strengthening INAC's presence in the Turkish market and opening new avenues for growth and collaboration. Co-founded by Cedric Schütz (who also leads Grünewald Consulting/INAC Germany) and based in Istanbul.
• Karla Alfaro (Head of Strategic Partnerships)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024September 2024 appointment of Karla Alfaro as INAC Global's first Head of Strategic Partnerships — internal hire to evolve and elevate strategic partnerships and search excellence across INAC's global operations.
• TARGET Executive Search / TARGET Group (Klemens Wersonig)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020TARGET Group joined INAC Global in January 2020, adding offices in Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria — expanding INAC's EMEA footprint across Central and Eastern Europe and enabling recruitment coverage across Ukraine, Georgia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Albania. Klemens Wersonig joined the INAC Global Board as a Director.
• NotActivelyLooking.comcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership around INAC's Global Talent Pool. NotActivelyLooking.com is a secure platform that allows senior executives to confidentially share and manage their CV information and future career aspirations. INAC candidates register through the NAL portal, giving the network differentiated access to executive talent.
• OrgShakers Ltd. (David Fairhurst)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerINAC Global hosted a webinar with David Fairhurst, founder of people-focused consultancy OrgShakers and former EVP Global Chief People Officer at McDonald's. Topic: 'Impact of COVID-19 on talent ecosystems around the World and how it will affect the Executive Search Industry' (June 2020). Joint content / thought-leadership collaboration.
• Ad Capita Executive Search (INAC Portugal — Rui Borges)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of INAC Global. Rui Borges is President of INAC Global and founder & Managing Partner of Ad Capita Executive Search, a preeminent retained executive search firm in Portugal since 2001. Recognized for 30 years' membership at the 2022 AGA. Ad Capita handles executive search mandates in Portugal and is a member office of the network.
• Strategic Talent (INAC Mexico — Ángeles Madrigal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder & CEO Ángeles Madrigal leads Strategic Talent (Accelerate DEI|TALENT companion firm). 30+ years of HR/Organizational Development experience; certified coach; creator of the Forbes INDEX. Ángeles also founded the Globalizing Champions Program and is a multi-award winner within the network (Best Business Exchange Partner 2024, Outstanding Dedication 2023).
• Sheer Velocity (INAC USA — Debra J. Young, Jon Gordon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. member firm of INAC Global. Co-founded by Debra J. Young and Jon Gordon in Denver, Colorado. Operates offices in Chicago, Denver, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis. Recognized on Hunt Scanlon PE Recruiting Power 100. Hosts the 50th Annual General Assembly in New York (April 2023). Jon Gordon sits on INAC Global's Board as a Director.
• Grünewald Consulting GmbH (INAC Germany — Lothar Grünewald, Cedric Schütz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINAC Global partner in Germany since 2006. Cedric Schütz leads the network's Chemistry Expert Group and serves as Managing Director; also co-founded GSA Turkey. Grünewald pioneered the use of avatars in candidate outreach — featured at the 49th AGA in Buenos Aires.
• Grupo THE / THE Consulting (INAC Brazil — Daniela 'Dani' Verdugo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Daniela 'Dani' Verdugo in 2017, Grupo THE is a Brazilian ecosystem comprising THE Consulting (boutique executive search), THE Talent and THE Projects. Dani represents INAC Brazil and is the host of the 2025 INAC LATAM Regional Meeting in São Paulo (October 15-17, 2025). 20+ years of HR experience; specializations from FAAP and Harvard Business School.
• De la Sotta Consultores (INAC Chile — María Elena de la Sotta)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Director María Elena de la Sotta leads the Chilean member firm, active since 2009. 20+ years of executive search experience; previously Corporate Recruitment and Executive Management Director at LAN Airlines. Certified Ontological Coach (Newfield Network). Hosts the 2024 INAC LATAM Regional Meeting in Santiago.
• Pacific Search Partners (INAC Australia — René Johnson)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRené Johnson, founder of Pacific Search Partners, has 25+ years of experience in advertising/media/publishing. Member of INAC's Advisory Board; covered the APAC region's expansion strategy. Operates offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Renowned speaker on Board-related matters.
• Magallanes Consultores de Dirección (INAC Spain — Victoria Baselga Canthal, Lidia Alvarado López)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMEA regional office for INAC Global. Victoria Baselga Canthal has been shareholder since 2002; Lidia Alvarado López serves as Consultant. Hosts the INAC EMEA Regional Meeting in Madrid (November 2024).
• Fusion Consulting (INAC South Africa — Ilana Erasmus, Siviwe Shongwe, Lusanda Dlamini)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMEA regional office for INAC Global, headquartered in Johannesburg. Lusanda Dlamini serves as Head of Research; Siviwe Shongwe is Director; Ilana Erasmus is a Director and leads Research & Operations. Over 15 years of executive search experience in South Africa and across the African continent.
• NWS Management AG (INAC Switzerland — Rainer Gubler, Ewa Solarczyk-Konik)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Rainer Gubler leads NWS Management AG, which serves as the INAC Switzerland member firm. 30+ years of leadership experience across ICT, industrial, and commercial sectors. Operates offices in Bern, Zürich and Basel.
• Quadra / Quadra Public Service (INAC France — Henri Micheron, Jean-Martie Leroy, Céline Narcy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINAC France member firm specializing in public sector, satellite organizations, social landlords and senior executive recruitment. Operates offices in Lyon, Paris and Aix en Provence. Founded by Henri Micheron in 1995.
• People Impact (INAC Sweden — Boel Lundell, Anne Barbosa, Cecilia Ahlqvist, Anna Persson)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded in 2005 by Boel Lundell and Anne Barbosa; operates offices in Malmö and Växjö. Hosts the 2022 EMEA Regional Meeting. Active in executive search, in-depth assessment, and management audit. Anne Barbosa is an Authorized Executive Search Consultant of ESK.
• INAC Colombia (Santiago Silva)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINAC's Colombia member firm led by Santiago Silva, two-time winner of INAC Global's Business Exchange Award (2019, 2021) — recognized as the most active member in cross-border business exchange.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boyden: Global executive search firm operating through partner-led offices across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. Direct peer for board, CEO and senior-level retained search mandates.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the world's leading global retained executive search firms, with deep C-suite and board practice coverage across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. Most direct functional peer to INAC for cross-border senior executive mandates.
• Signium: International executive search firm with a partnership model across multiple continents. Closely comparable to INAC in network structure, services offered and mid-to-senior level cross-border placements.
• Egon Zehnder: Privately held global retained executive search firm with strong board, CEO succession and leadership advisory practices. Comparable to INAC on cross-border mandates and 'trusted advisor' positioning, but with a much larger unified brand.
• Amrop: Global partnership of independent executive search firms operating in 50+ countries — the closest structural analog to INAC's federated model. Direct peer on cross-border board and C-suite mandates.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global leadership advisory and executive search firm publicly listed on Nasdaq. Directly comparable in services (executive search, board, leadership consulting) and in serving large multinational and PE clients.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global retained executive search firm focused on board, CEO and senior executive placements across industries. Direct peer for the same Fortune-level cross-border mandates INAC targets.
• InterSearch Worldwide: Federation of independent executive search firms across 50+ countries — a near-exact structural parallel to INAC's network model, with similar cross-border exchange dynamics.
• Transearch International: Global retained executive search organization with presence across EMEA, Americas and APAC. Direct peer for cross-border C-suite and board mandates in similar industry verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Largest global organizational consulting firm with a major executive search segment plus RPO and broader HR/talent advisory. Overlaps with INAC on executive search and leadership advisory but operates a much wider portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inac-global-executive-search

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries14 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 INAC Global Executive Search