What Pure Executive does

Pure Executive is an executive search firm headquartered in Cambridge, UK, specializing in board, senior leadership, and chair appointments for organizations across the East of England. Founded in 2002 by Ian Walters, Lynn Walters, and Gill Buchanan as a division of Pure Resourcing Solutions Limited, the firm operates a consultative, bespoke search model drawing on a 20+ year regional network. Its core offering combines targeted executive search with individual candidate assessment, professional consultancy, and reward/remuneration benchmarking, with named clients spanning listed companies (Treatt plc, Titon Holdings, Adnams), SMEs and founder-led businesses, and charities/CICs (East Anglian Air Ambulance, NIAB, Rewilding Britain, The Forum Trust).

The firm's revenue model is professional services fee-based, with engagements priced on a quote basis tied to role seniority and search complexity and delivered under multi-year consulting relationships. Beyond core search, Pure Executive operates a programme ecosystem that doubles as a talent pipeline: the Women's Leadership Programme (since 2014, 120+ participants), the Board Ready Talent Scheme (since 2018 with Cranfield Business School, 50% female participation), and the Best Employers Eastern Region employee engagement survey (since 2012 with Eras Ltd, 400+ organizations). The firm also publishes research such as the September 2024 NED remuneration report and convenes the long-running Charity Leaders Group. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the firm generates no app, API, or platform product revenue.

Technically, Pure Executive is a low-tech professional services business with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no proprietary software product, and reliance on standard web analytics (Google Analytics) and assessment tools provided by partner Eras Ltd. Strategic positioning is reinforced by certification (Cyber Essentials, GDPR), the October 2024 sign-up to the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms, and post-March 2025 ownership by an internal management team following an MBO led by Managing Director David Culley.

Name

Pure Executive

Legal name

Pure Resourcing Solutions Limited

Website

https://pureexecutive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Pure Executive is a Cambridge-based executive search firm that places board members, senior leaders, and chairs for listed companies, SMEs, and charities across the East of England, complemented by leadership development programmes and an NED remuneration report.

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), Public Sector, Education & Nonprofit Leadership Search (BPACAAAI), Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK), Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Executive Search (BPACAAAL), Executive & Leadership Direct Hire (BPACAFAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Board recruitment
• Leadership consulting
• Non-executive director recruitment
• Senior executive placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Pure Executive generates revenue through executive search and recruitment services, placing board members, senior executives, and chairs for organizations. Services include bespoke selection, targeted search, individual assessment, and professional consultancy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pure Executive is a specialist executive search firm that delivers bespoke board, senior leadership, and chair appointments for organisations across the East of England. The firm applies rigorous targeted search techniques, individual candidate assessment, and professional consultancy, drawing on a long-standing regional network to identify and place Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors, and Chairs.

Product overview

Pure Executive is a leading Executive search specialist dedicated to bringing exceptional board, senior leadership and chair appointments for organisations across the East of England. The company operates as a unified service built around executive search as its core offering, complemented by several specialised programmes including the Board Ready Talent Programme (developed with Cranfield Business School), the Women's Leadership Programme, and the Best Employers Eastern Region initiative. Additional services include individual assessment, professional consultancy, reward and remuneration benchmarking, and research publications such as the NED Data Report. The company also hosts the Charity Leaders Group for sector-specific networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Bespoke executive search service dedicated to bringing exceptional board, senior leadership and chair appointments for organisations across the East of England, drawing on a diverse network of long-standing connections.
• Board Ready Talent Programme A development programme developed with Cranfield Business School to help aspiring professionals make the transition to Board level positions, with 50% of participants being female, supporting diversity in leadership.
• Women's Leadership Programme A programme designed to enhance confidence, develop leadership skills and build a supportive network for women. Over 100 women have participated since launch, with 26% subsequently promoted.
• Best Employers Eastern Region An employee engagement programme co-founded with Eras Ltd that brings together employers from across the East of England to support economic growth through increased employee engagement. Partners with Birketts LLP and Archant.
• Charity Leaders Group A networking group hosted by David Culley that brings together leaders of the region's charities, providing a space for leaders to share insights and explore sector challenges through expert-led discussions.
• Reward and Remuneration Benchmarking Service A service to help organisations understand the full compensation package required to secure executive leaders, addressing the increased demand for remuneration benchmarking in executive recruitment.
• Bespoke Selection and Assessment Individual assessment services for candidates and professional consultancy for organisations seeking executive leadership appointments, using psychometric evaluation tools and behavioral science approaches to de-bias hiring processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% increase in board appointments compared to 2019
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FRP AdvisoryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025FRP Advisory hosted a private dinner with Pure Executive for SME leaders on transaction readiness and board preparedness.
• Birketts LLPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership with Birketts LLP as co-sponsor of Employer of the Year award at Suffolk and Norfolk Business Awards.
• ForesightminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Foresight Group, a UK private equity house supporting SMEs, co-hosted an exclusive roundtable with Pure Executive on building diverse boards and senior teams.
• Cranfield Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Board Ready Talent Programme launched in March 2018 in partnership with Cranfield Business School, helping aspiring professionals make the transition to board level positions. 50% of participants are female.
• Women's Leadership Programme PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Women's Leadership Programme launched in January 2014 to enhance confidence, develop leadership skills and build supportive networks for women. Since launch, over 100 women have participated with 26% later promoted.
• Eras LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Co-founded Best Employers Eastern Region programme with Eras Ltd (psychometrics experts) in 2012. The programme has become the trusted 'go-to' on employee engagement for organizations across the Eastern Region, surveying employees on key metrics like communication, autonomy, motivation, and trust.
• ArchantminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partner in Best Employers Eastern Region programme alongside Birketts LLP and Eras Ltd, supporting and sponsoring the programme to work with diverse organizations across the region.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: Long-established global executive search firm with deep board practice across multiple sectors. Comparable in board and chair-level executive search, though focused globally rather than regionally like Pure Executive.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm heavily focused on board, CEO, and senior executive placement. Overlaps with Pure Executive on the core service of board and C-suite executive search for enterprise clients.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with one of the largest executive search practices, including dedicated board and CEO services. Overlaps on senior leadership and board placement but with significantly broader service portfolio.
• Odgers Berndtson: UK-headquartered international executive search firm with broad sector and functional coverage, including board appointments. Comparable as a direct provider of executive and board search services, though operating at much larger scale and global rather than regional remit.

Direct peers

• Green Park Executive Search: UK-based executive search firm specializing in senior leadership, board, and diversity-focused recruitment. Closely comparable in targeted board-level search, with a stated emphasis on diversity and inclusion outcomes paralleling Pure Executive's positioning.
• Russam GMS: UK-based executive search and interim management firm with strong regional presence and SME-focused board and executive search offerings. Most directly comparable as a UK boutique addressing similar SME and mid-market board mandates.
• Saxton Bampfylde: UK executive search firm with board, CEO, and senior leadership practice serving charities, higher education, and SMEs. Comparable on the not-for-profit trustee and executive search work that forms a meaningful slice of Pure Executive's book.
• Allen Lane: UK executive search firm specializing in board, CEO, and senior leadership recruitment across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Comparable scope and customer mix, including strong charity and nonprofit coverage similar to Pure Executive's NFP work.
• Inclusive Boards: UK boutique executive search firm focused on diversity-led board appointments across multiple sectors. Highly comparable given Pure Executive's emphasis on diversity outcomes, NED appointments, and adherence to the Voluntary Code of Conduct for executive search.
• Berwick Partners: UK executive search firm (now part of Odgers Berndtson) focused on board, CEO, and senior executive hiring across public, private, and third sectors. Comparable in addressing UK SME, listed company, and not-for-profit board appointments similar to Pure Executive's mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Pure Executive