Inexsa

What Inexsa does

Inexsa is a boutique retained executive search firm headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1975 (originally as Henriet & Associates, rebranded in 2003). The firm provides a single core service: retained executive search, also known as headhunting, targeting senior executive, technical, and highly specialized positions with annual remuneration roughly in the €70,000–€200,000 range, plus a sub-service for difficult middle-management 'Specialist functions' searches. Its methodology is human-driven, built on direct approach sourcing, detailed role analysis, and cultural fit assessment, with no technology platform, software product, API, or proprietary algorithm underpinning the service; the consultant base is the primary asset.

The firm serves a horizontally diversified client base across multinationals, large companies, SMEs, and development-phase start-ups, spanning industries such as consumer/retail/luxury, automotive, industrial/aerospace/defense, life sciences/pharmaceuticals/medical devices, financial/banking/insurance, construction/real estate, and technology/ICT, with cross-functional coverage across sales, finance, engineering, IT, HR, legal, procurement, regulatory, and R&D. Its primary geographic focus is the BENELUX region, with international coverage enabled through alliances with independent business partners across Europe and globally.

Revenue is generated exclusively through professional services fees, structured on a retained model: one-third retainer at project start, one-third upon shortlist presentation, and the final third upon signature and acceptance by the chosen candidate. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Operations are conducted from a single headquarters at Avenue Louise 523 in Brussels, with a stated headcount of 1–10 employees. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding, no parent company, and no public listing. In 2014, new shareholders acquired the firm, reaffirming the original human-based focus concept.

Name

Inexsa

Legal name

Inexsa

Website

https://inexsa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Inexsa is a Brussels-based boutique retained executive search firm, founded in 1975, serving multinationals, large companies, SMEs, and start-ups across BENELUX and internationally. It places senior executives and specialists in roles paying €70,000–€200,000 via a direct approach methodology delivered by a 1–10 person consultant team.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

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

Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Retained executive search
• Headhunting services
• Direct search methodology
• Management recruitment

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search Services: Inexsa generates revenue through retained executive search engagements. The firm typically structures fees in three installments: one-third retainer at the beginning of the project, one-third upon presentation of the candidate shortlist, and the final third upon signature and acceptance of the position by the selected candidate. This model applies to senior executive, technical, and highly specialized positions at national and international levels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Inexsa is a boutique retained executive search firm that directly sources candidates for senior executive, technical, and highly specialized positions across all industry sectors. The firm uses a human-values-driven direct search methodology, conducting detailed role analysis, accurate targeting, and in-depth cultural fit assessment. Service is delivered through retained engagements with fees paid in three installments tied to project milestones.

Product overview

Inexsa is a boutique retained executive search firm offering a single core service: Retained Executive Search (headhunting). The firm operates through its main Executive Search product, supported by a Specialist Functions Search sub-service targeting middle management positions with remuneration ranges of €70,000–€200,000. The company also maintains a CV/Resume Database Management service for career management purposes. All services are delivered through human consultants and partners who serve as direct interfaces throughout the search process, operating primarily in the BENELUX region with international development focus. The portfolio is unified under one philosophy: human-based relationship focus combined with direct search methodology, without any modular or platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retained Executive Search Retained executive search service (headhunting) that directly sources candidates for senior executive, technical, and highly specialized positions at national and international levels. The firm charges a one-third retainer at project start, another third at shortlist presentation, and a final installment at candidate acceptance.
• Specialist Functions Search Search service for difficult or one-of-a-kind middle management positions ('Specialists functions'), typically targeting annual remuneration from approximately €70,000 to approximately €200,000, across multiple functional areas including Sales & Marketing, Finance, Engineering, IT, HR, Legal, Procurement/Supply Chain, Regulatory, R&D, and QSHE.
• CV/Resume Database Management Career management and candidate database service where submitted CVs and personal information are retained in Inexsa's system for future career opportunities, stored for a period of ten years.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Independent Business PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInexsa maintains regular contacts with independent business partners specialized in executive search activities across Europe and globally. These partnerships support the firm's international development strategy and enable coverage beyond the BENELUX core market.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm specializing in senior-level placements across functions and industries. Mirrors Inexsa's retained executive search model and senior-level functional focus, though at much larger scale.
• Egon Zehnder: Privately held global executive search and leadership advisory firm operating on a retained model with strong presence in Europe. Closely comparable to Inexsa in service offering, methodology emphasis on culture fit, and senior management focus.
• Boyden: Global executive search firm with a partner-led, mid-sized structure that closely resembles Inexsa's boutique retained model. Particularly relevant given its strong European presence and cross-sector functional search coverage.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the world's leading retained executive search firms, focused on board, CEO, and senior leadership hiring across industries and functions. Directly comparable to Inexsa in service model, methodology (direct search), and target client base of senior executive placements.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm conducting senior-level retained searches across functions and sectors. Comparable to Inexsa in direct search methodology, premium positioning, and senior leadership client base.
• Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with deep roots in the UK and continental Europe, executing retained searches for senior executive and functional leadership roles. Directly comparable to Inexsa in service model and European market focus.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a large executive search practice alongside broader talent management, RPO, and advisory services. Overlaps with Inexsa in retained executive search but operates at significantly greater scale and scope.
• LHH (Lee Hecht Harrison): Global talent solutions provider offering executive search, leadership development, career transition, and talent advisory services. Overlaps with Inexsa in senior-level search while offering adjacent talent services at much larger scale.

Regional players

• Michael Page: Global specialist recruitment group with deep BENELUX operations, recruiting across professional disciplines and management tiers. Comparable in regional footprint and function breadth, though oriented toward broader permanent and contract placement rather than purely retained executive search.
• Robert Walters: International specialist recruitment firm with strong BENELUX presence, recruiting across professional functions and management levels. Comparable geographic and functional coverage to Inexsa, though broader in scope (including mid-market and permanent placement beyond C-suite).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Inexsa