BES Executive Search Inc.

What BES Executive Search Inc. does

BES Executive Search Inc. is a Toronto-based, privately held executive search and EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility) consulting firm founded by Jason Murray. The firm delivers inclusion-first executive recruitment across Canadian public, private, industrial, and technology sectors, complemented by mid-level recruitment support, executive coaching, organizational EDIA audits (including the proprietary EDIA-ERA 7-step review), cultural transformation and strategic planning support, and data-driven EDIA training via e-Learning with quizzes and analytics. Named clients include TD Bank, the City of Toronto, the TTC, GTAA, MLSE, Fasken, IMCO, the University of Toronto, York University, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, George Brown College, Humber College, Sick Kids, the UHN Foundation, the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Bata Shoe Museum, among others.

The firm's technology stack centers on two proprietary digital platforms. The BES Client Portal (besclientportal.com) is a hiring management platform offering self-managed job postings, background check integration, an inclusive language checker, and AI-powered tools marketed as supporting inclusive hiring workflows. The BES Job Board (besjobboard.com) posts roles across all career levels, from entry-level through executive, an unusual full-lifecycle positioning within an executive search firm. The firm is a member of AESC and is present on BlueSteps, and runs an active thought leadership program through the BES Insights blog and a YouTube series hosted by the founder.

BES operates a professional services revenue model with quote-based, scope-dependent pricing and multi-year contract cadence on engagement work. Recurring or transactional revenue potential exists through the Client Portal and Job Board via single job-post purchases and subscription options. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, combining direct enterprise outreach, Calendly-enabled consultant bookings, and content-driven inbound demand generation. The firm is founder-led, privately owned, with no disclosed external institutional funding, parent company, or subsidiaries.

Name

BES Executive Search Inc.

Legal name

BES Executive Search Inc.

Website

https://bessearch.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

BES Executive Search Inc. is a Toronto-based, privately held executive search and EDIA consulting firm delivering inclusion-first executive recruitment, organizational EDIA audits, training, and coaching to Canadian public, private, and non-profit sector clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Executive Search (BPACAAAL)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• EDIA consulting
• Leadership recruitment
• Organizational diversity audits
• Executive coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Retainer-based executive recruitment services placing senior leaders in public, private, industrial, and technology sectors with an inclusion-first approach. Engagements typically involve comprehensive search processes, candidate assessment, and onboarding support.
2. Executive Coaching: One-on-one coaching services for leaders and teams, focusing on inclusive leadership, cultural competency, and professional development. Delivered through structured frameworks including Human-Centred Leadership, Values-Based Leadership, Reflective Practice, and Accountability-Centred approaches.
3. Organizational EDIA Audits: The EDIA-ERA external review and audit process, a 3-5 month comprehensive assessment of organizational equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility practices. Includes process review, one-on-one consultations, and public domain analysis.
4. Training Services: Data-driven EDIA training including e-Learnings with quizzes and analytics, workshops, and certifications designed to strengthen inclusion in the workplace.
5. Cultural Transformation Support: Strategic planning services including engagement charters, toolkits, policy review, and governance support to strengthen team cohesion and build high-performing cultures.
6. Job Board and Posting Services: Job posting services through the BES Client Portal and Job Board platform, offering single job posts and potentially subscription-based access for recruiters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BES Executive Search Inc. fundamentally provides executive search, mid-level recruitment support, organizational EDIA audits and training, executive coaching, and cultural transformation consulting. Its delivery is anchored by two proprietary digital platforms — the BES Client Portal (self-managed job postings, background checks, inclusive language checker, AI-powered hiring tools) and the BES Job Board (roles across all career levels from entry-level to executive).

Product overview

BES Executive Search Inc. offers a suite of talent solutions organized around a core digital platform and complementary service offerings. The primary digital products are the BES Client Portal (a hiring management platform with inclusive language checking and AI-powered tools), the BES Job Board (covering all career levels from entry to executive), and a Training/E-Learning platform delivering EDIA content with analytics. These digital platforms are complemented by professional services including Executive Search (inclusion-first recruitment), EDIA-ERA (a proprietary 7-step external audit process), Organizational EDIA Audits, Cultural Transformation Support and Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching, and Mid-Level Recruitment Support. The ecosystem is designed to serve organizations throughout the talent acquisition and leadership development lifecycle, from mid-level hiring through executive search, supported by EDIA training and organizational consulting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BES Client Portal A comprehensive hiring management platform offering self-managed job postings, background checks, an inclusive language checker, and AI-powered tools to support inclusive hiring workflows for organizational clients.
• BES Job Board An executive search job board that posts roles across all career levels — from entry-level positions through executive roles — designed to connect diverse talent with organizations committed to inclusive hiring.
• Training (E-Learning Platform) Data-driven EDIA training built on e-Learning modules equipped with quizzes, providing analytics to pinpoint where to prioritize further EDIA training, with options for workshops and certifications.
• Executive Search Inclusion-first executive recruitment services delivering diverse candidate pools across public, private, industrial, and technology sectors, with 500+ executive searches completed.
• EDIA-ERA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility – External Review and Audit) A unique 7-step external review and audit process developed by BES Executive Search Inc. that surfaces organizational gaps and blind spots in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, providing actionable recommendations for improvement.
• Executive Coaching One-on-one coaching services focused on strengthening inclusive leadership, building cultural competency, advancing cultural sensitivity, managing conflict, and driving sustainable growth for leaders and teams.
• Cultural Transformation Support and Strategic Planning Services including engagement charters, practical toolkits, strategic plans, policy review and renewal, and governance support to help organizations strengthen team cohesion and build high-performing cultures.
• Mid-Level Recruitment Support Recruitment support for mid-level positions that promotes roles, assesses candidates, and strengthens hiring outcomes with structured, equitable processes.
• Organizational EDIA Audits Audits that uncover gaps in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility with clear insights and actionable recommendations for organizational improvement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ executive searches completed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Koya Leadership Partners: US-based executive search firm purpose-built to place leaders advancing mission-driven and DEI-focused work. Directly comparable to BES on inclusion-first executive recruitment across nonprofit, foundation, and education clients.
• Diversified Search Group: Mid-sized executive search firm with dedicated DEI practice and strong nonprofit, education, healthcare, and arts/culture practices. Closest peer to BES on vertical mix (nonprofit, education, healthcare, government) and inclusion-led positioning.
• On-Ramps: Executive search firm focused on placing diverse leaders into mission-driven organizations. Comparable to BES's inclusion-first methodology, mid-level through executive mandates, and nonprofit/foundation client base.

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm serving boards, CEOs, and senior leadership across industries. Direct competitor for BES's executive search engagements, with substantially larger research capacity and international footprint.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with strong nonprofit, education, healthcare, and public sector practices. Closest global incumbent peer to BES on vertical mix, with comparable AESC membership and Canadian presence.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm combining executive search, leadership development, and talent assessment. Comparable on executive search and broader talent/advisory services, but with much deeper consulting bench and proprietary assessment IP.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with broad industry coverage and dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory practice. Comparable as a competitor for the same C-suite and senior leadership mandates BES pursues, but at significantly larger scale and global reach.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with deep nonprofit, public sector, and education practices. Comparable as a competitor for senior mandates BES targets, particularly in arts/culture, healthcare, and government.

Regional players

• Toronto-based boutique executive search firms (e.g., Odgers Berndtson Canada, Ray & Berndtson, Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette): Canadian-headquartered executive search firms competing for the same Toronto-based and nationally placed executive mandates across nonprofit, public sector, and corporate clients. Direct regional competitors to BES in the Canadian market.

Emerging players

• True Search: Executive search firm with dedicated DE&I practice and operations across the US, Europe, and Latin America. Comparable to BES on inclusion-first methodology, with growing international footprint as a potential competitive threat.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzQ... (BES thought leadership videos)

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 BES Executive Search Inc.