What Lansdowne Executive Search does

Lansdowne Executive Search Limited is a Dublin-based boutique executive search firm that provides retained executive search, interim management, and board appointment services to Irish and international organisations. Its core products are three service lines: (1) Executive Search for C-suite and senior management permanent placements, (2) Interim Management for time-bound senior functional roles (Finance, Operations, HR, IT, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain), and (3) Board Appointments emphasising diversity, governance, and objectivity. The firm operates a partner-led model with no proprietary technology platform — its stated methodology explicitly positions "technology as just a tool" and relies on face-to-face candidate assessment and cultural-fit judgement. Service delivery is anchored by three partners (Tom Keane, Luke Freeley, Séan McDonagh), an Operations Manager (Michelle Holden), and a Director of Global Programs from Horton International (Gemma Van Rooyen), collectively bringing over 70 years of combined executive search experience.

The business generates revenue through professional services fees on a retained search basis, typically structured as a percentage of the placed executive's annual compensation. Go-to-market is direct and partner-led, with no digital or indirect distribution channels beyond content marketing via its website insights section. Customer segments span public sector bodies and regulators (e.g., HSA, SOLAS, RTB, Commissioners of Irish Lights), not-for-profit organisations (e.g., Irish Cancer Society, IPHA, ARC Cancer Support Centres), and private enterprises (e.g., Centenary Thurles Co-op, Port of Cork Company, Clancy Construction), across 12+ industry verticals including Agri-Food, Banking, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences, Public Sector, and TMT. Global reach is delivered through a strategic partnership with Horton International, which provides access to 40+ offices across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. The firm is GDPR-compliant and operates from a single Dublin headquarters at Hamilton House, 28 Fitzwilliam Place.

The firm is privately held under Irish law as Lansdowne Executive Search Limited, with Horton International listed as a strategic operating parent. It has no external funding, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed revenue. Its core competitive positioning rests on three pillars: (i) deep Irish market knowledge and government/nonprofit sector relationships, (ii) the global network leverage from Horton International, and (iii) senior practitioner involvement on every mandate, a structural feature typical of boutique retained search firms.

Name

Lansdowne Executive Search

Legal name

Lansdowne Executive Search Limited

Website

https://lansdownesearch.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lansdowne Executive Search is a Dublin-based boutique firm providing retained executive search, interim management, and board appointment services to Irish and international public sector, not-for-profit, and private enterprise clients, with global reach via its Horton International partnership.

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

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK), Public Sector, Education & Nonprofit Leadership Search (BPACAAAI)

Keywords

• Executive search
• Interim management
• Board appointments
• Senior leadership recruiting
• Retained search services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Retained executive search assignments for senior-level placements across various sectors including C-suite, board appointments, and senior management positions. Revenue is generated through professional service fees, typically on a retained search basis.
2. Interim Management: Placement of interim senior executives for organizations requiring immediate talent solutions. The flexible model enables quick access to proven individuals with specific expertise.
3. Board Appointments: Placement of board directors for organisations seeking greater experience, transparency, diversity, and objectivity. Leverages rigorous search methodologies and industry knowledge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Lansdowne Executive Search provides retained executive search, interim management placement, and board appointment services for senior leadership roles. The firm serves Irish and international organisations across 13 industry sectors, leveraging a partner-led model supported by the Horton International global network to identify and place C-suite, senior management, and board-level candidates.

Product overview

Lansdowne Executive Search is an executive search firm offering three core services: Executive Search (permanent senior executive placements), Interim Management (temporary senior-level talent), and Board Appointments. The company operates across 13 industry sectors including Agri-Food, Banking & Financial Services, Education, Energy, Not-For-Profit, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences, Public Sector, Technology/Media/Telecoms, and Transport & Logistics. The firm has partnered with Horton International, providing access to over 40 offices across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, enabling global reach while maintaining local expertise. The team comprises five professionals with over 70 years of combined executive search experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by a large and diverse number of Irish and International organisations for executive search needs.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 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.

• Horton InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLansdowne has joined forces with Horton International to enhance their bespoke executive search services. This partnership provides access to Horton International's global network of over 40 offices across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. The alliance significantly expands Lansdowne's talent pool and international reach while maintaining their local Irish market expertise. The relationship enables co-delivery of executive search mandates across global markets.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search firm recognized for board and CEO advisory. Competes for the same Irish enterprise, public-sector, and nonprofit board appointments where Lansdowne has documented placements.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a strong board practice and partner-led model. Directly comparable on positioning, fee model, and D&I-led board mandates.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with one of the largest executive search practices worldwide. Competes for senior leadership and board mandates across the same sectors Lansdowne serves in Ireland.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with deep coverage in Ireland across CEO, board, and functional leadership searches. Sets the competitive benchmark for fees, methodology, and international reach.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm with an established Irish office serving C-suite, board, and senior leadership mandates. Competes for the same Irish and international clients and operates a similar partner-led retained search model.

Others

• Horton International: Global network of independent executive search firms that Lansdowne has formally partnered with for international reach. Not a direct competitor but the strategic alliance partner that defines Lansdowne's global delivery capability.

Direct peers

• Morgan McKinley: Ireland and UK-based professional recruitment firm with executive search capability across financial services, technology, and senior commercial roles. Overlaps significantly on Irish enterprise mandates.
• Barden Executive: Irish recruitment and talent advisory firm with a dedicated executive search practice serving C-suite and senior leadership roles. Competes head-to-head for Irish enterprise and public-sector mandates.
• Cpl Executive: Ireland's largest recruitment group with an executive search division serving private and public sector senior leadership roles. Directly competes for Irish C-suite mandates and offers comparable interim and board services.
• Sigmar Executive: Irish-headquartered recruitment firm with a dedicated executive search practice covering C-suite, board, and senior management mandates across multiple sectors in Ireland. Closest like-for-like competitor operating in the same Irish boutique search space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lansdowne-executive-search

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Lansdowne Executive Search