Curio Careers

What Curio Careers does

Curio Careers is a London-based executive search boutique operating in the architecture sector under the trading name Sonder International Limited. The firm was founded by Hazel Whittaker in 2022 and offers bespoke, founder-led search mandates for senior hires across architecture practices, with active service coverage spanning London, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, and a stated New York office extending reach into the US market.

The core product is executive search: retainer or contingency engagements to identify and place senior talent (partner, director, and practice-lead level) into architecture firms. Curio also operates a curated job listings platform (curio.careers) that aggregates architecture-specific roles, functioning as a secondary distribution channel and candidate-attraction surface alongside the primary search mandates. The underlying technology is minimal — a content-rich website and job board — with the service itself delivered through personal networks, structured interview processes, and bespoke candidate assessment rather than through automated tools or platforms.

The business model is transaction-fee based: revenue is generated on placement of a candidate, typically as a percentage of first-year compensation. Go-to-market is principally direct, founder-led relationships with architecture practice leadership, supported by a reference base that includes AJ100-ranked and design-led architectural studios. The firm operates with a headcount of 5, is bootstrapped with no external funding, and scales only when founder-driven mandates are won, making capacity — rather than demand — the binding constraint on growth.

Name

Curio Careers

Legal name

Sonder International Limited

Website

https://curiocareers.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Curio Careers is a London-based executive search boutique specializing in senior talent placements within the architecture sector, with active coverage in London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Executive Search & Recruitment Services: Placement fees for matching senior architecture candidates with hiring practices. Operates as a retained/executive search consultancy model, likely charging success-based fees upon successful placement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Curio Careers is an executive search and recruitment consultancy specializing in senior architecture roles, providing personalized candidate matching services for architecture practices and individual career placement support for candidates. The firm operates internationally across London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and beyond, using a human-led approach to source candidates beyond traditional CVs and LinkedIn profiles.

Product overview

Curio Careers operates as a service-based executive search consultancy, not a software platform. The company offers a unified recruitment service focused on matching senior architecture professionals with architecture practices internationally. Their core offerings comprise executive search for employers seeking senior candidates, candidate placement services for individual professionals seeking career advancement, and a job listings platform showcasing current vacancies. The service spans multiple geographic markets including London, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, emphasizing a personalized, human approach to recruitment that goes beyond traditional CV-based matching.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Adrem Group: Architecture, interior design, and engineering recruitment specialist with a permanent placement focus. Comparable in vertical specialization on architecture practices and senior candidate placement.
• Conrad Consulting: UK-based recruitment consultancy focused on architecture, construction, and the built environment. Directly comparable in vertical focus, target candidate seniority, and B2B sales-led engagement model.
• Perspective (architecture recruitment): Architecture and design recruitment specialist serving practices across the UK and internationally. Comparable in niche specialization on architecture practices and senior-level mandates.
• Bespoke Careers: Specialist architecture, design, and creative industries recruiter with international offices. Directly comparable as a senior-level architecture search firm competing for the same AJ100-tier client mandates.
• Place Careers: Architecture and built environment recruitment consultancy serving practices and candidates in the UK. Comparable in target segment (architecture practices) and consultative search positioning.
• Careers in Design: Recruitment firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and urban design roles. Comparable as a senior placement specialist in the architecture and design talent market.

Emerging players

• Skillfinder International: International recruitment firm with architecture and real estate practice coverage. Comparable as an emerging cross-border player targeting similar senior mandates in architecture.

Broad incumbents

• Michael Page (Architecture): Global recruitment group with an architecture and property practice serving mid-to-senior roles. Comparable as a scaled incumbent offering overlapping architecture search capabilities.
• Hays (Construction & Property): Global recruitment firm with a dedicated construction, property, and architecture division. Comparable as a scaled incumbent competing for senior architecture mandates with broader resources and geographic reach.

Regional players

• Frame: Architecture-focused recruitment and talent platform with European presence. Comparable as a niche architecture job marketplace and talent sourcing channel for practices.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/curio-careers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Curio Careers