THE SEARCH FACTORY
The Search Factory is a Paris-based independent executive search boutique founded in 2008 by Barbara Moors, operating as a solo consultancy that conducts direct senior-executive searches for end clients, provides research support to other search firms, and runs a proprietary training program for search consultants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What THE SEARCH FACTORY does
The Search Factory is an independent executive search boutique founded in 2008 by Barbara Moors and headquartered at 17 rue Ruhmkorff in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. The firm operates as a sole-practitioner consultancy, with Barbara Moors personally conducting all client engagements after nine years at Heidrick & Struggles and more than 20 years total as a headhunter. The company has closed over 400 executive search missions spanning sectors including finance, IT, e-business, retail, distribution, luxury, industry, and healthcare, and serves clients ranging from startups to large multinational groups across Western and Eastern Europe, Asia (India, Japan, Hong Kong), the USA, and Africa (Tunisia, Morocco, Angola).
The firm operates three interconnected service lines. The primary line is direct executive search for end-client companies, covering C-suite, board, and senior management mandates. The second line provides research and candidate-sourcing support subcontracted to other executive search firms, monetizing the founder's research capacity beyond her own placements. The third line is a proprietary training program for executive search associates and career-change consultants, which has been delivered to teams from more than 15 search firms in France and internationally.
The business model is fee-for-service professional services revenue, with per-engagement pricing that is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is direct-to-client via the founder's personal network, word-of-mouth, and LinkedIn presence, with no formal marketing function, no digital acquisition channels, and no institutional investment or external ownership. The firm has no technology stack, no employees beyond the founder, and no subsidiaries; operations are entirely dependent on Barbara Moors' personal bandwidth.
THE SEARCH FACTORY firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- THE SEARCH FACTORY
- Legal name
- The Search Factory
- Website
- https://thesearchfactory.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Search Factory is a Paris-based independent executive search boutique founded in 2008 by Barbara Moors, operating as a solo consultancy that conducts direct senior-executive searches for end clients, provides research support to other search firms, and runs a proprietary training program for search consultants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
THE SEARCH FACTORY industry classification
Industry- 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
- Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF), Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC), Healthcare & Life Sciences Leadership Search (BPACAAAE)
Keywords
Where THE SEARCH FACTORY is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
THE SEARCH FACTORY business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Executive Search Services: Direct executive search missions conducted for end-client companies. Barbara Moors identifies and places senior executives for clients ranging from startups to large groups. The firm also provides research services to other executive search firms.
- Training Programs: Developed and delivers training programs for executive search consultants and researchers, as well as consultants reconverting from other professions. Services sold to search firms seeking to enhance their teams' capabilities.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
THE SEARCH FACTORY product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Executive search boutique based in Paris, France that delivers senior-level executive recruitment, in-depth candidate research, and bespoke training services for other search firms. Founded in 2008 by Barbara Moors, the firm has completed 400+ executive search missions and draws on 20+ years of industry experience, including 9 years at Heidrick & Struggles.
Product overview
The Search Factory is a boutique executive search firm founded in 2008 by Barbara Moors. The company operates as a single-person consultancy offering three interconnected services: direct executive search and recruitment for end-client companies, research support subcontracted to other executive search firms, and a proprietary training program for executive search professionals. The portfolio comprises the core executive search service, research services for peer firms, and a training program—together covering the full lifecycle of executive search from candidate sourcing to professional development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Executive Search Engagements
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 400 executive search missions completed
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use THE SEARCH FACTORY
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
THE SEARCH FACTORY technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
THE SEARCH FACTORY partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
THE SEARCH FACTORY competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: Largest global executive search and organizational consulting firm with broader talent management offerings. Competes for senior mandates in finance, technology, retail, and healthcare — all sectors The Search Factory serves.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on senior leadership across industries including financial services, technology, healthcare, and industrial — overlapping closely with The Search Factory's stated sector coverage.
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong international reach across Europe, Asia, and the Americas — geographies The Search Factory also serves. Comparable focus on senior executive and board-level placements.
- Heidrick & Struggles: One of the largest global executive search firms, where founder Barbara Moors spent nine years before founding The Search Factory. Directly comparable practice areas across C-suite and functional leadership, with much broader geographic and sector coverage.
- Spencer Stuart: Top-tier global executive search firm with deep C-suite and board practice. Competes for the same senior leadership mandates The Search Factory pursues, though at significantly greater scale and with a partnership model rather than solo boutique.
- PageGroup: Global recruitment firm operating Michael Page and Page Executive brands, the latter focused on senior leadership search. Operates in the same geographies as The Search Factory (France, broader Europe, Asia) and competes for mid-to-senior executive mandates.
- Robert Half International: Large publicly-traded staffing and recruiting firm with executive search arm. While broader and more volume-driven, it competes for senior finance and technology leadership roles within The Search Factory's core sectors.
Direct peers
- Amrop: International executive search partnership with particularly strong European and emerging-market coverage, including Africa and Asia — geographies overlapping with The Search Factory's international footprint.
- Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with strong presence in Europe, including France. Closely comparable mid-sized boutique-style operation targeting C-suite and senior leadership roles across multiple sectors.
- Stanton Chase: Global executive search firm with partnership-style boutique operating model and broad sector coverage (financial services, technology, healthcare, industrial). Most similar in size and positioning to The Search Factory among international peers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
THE SEARCH FACTORY social profiles
Digital presenceTHE SEARCH FACTORY financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
THE SEARCH FACTORY leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
THE SEARCH FACTORY funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
THE SEARCH FACTORY M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about THE SEARCH FACTORY
What does THE SEARCH FACTORY do?
Executive search boutique based in Paris, France that delivers senior-level executive recruitment, in-depth candidate research, and bespoke training services for other search firms. Founded in 2008 by Barbara Moors, the firm has completed 400+ executive search missions and draws on 20+ years of industry experience, including 9 years at Heidrick & Struggles.
Is THE SEARCH FACTORY a public or private company?
THE SEARCH FACTORY is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was THE SEARCH FACTORY founded?
THE SEARCH FACTORY was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is THE SEARCH FACTORY based?
THE SEARCH FACTORY is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does THE SEARCH FACTORY make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Executive Search Services are the primary driver. The others are training Programs.
Who are THE SEARCH FACTORY's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds Associates, Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, PageGroup and Robert Half International. Direct peers are Amrop, Odgers Berndtson and Stanton Chase.
Does THE SEARCH FACTORY have an API?
No public API is recorded for THE SEARCH FACTORY.
What industry is THE SEARCH FACTORY in?
THE SEARCH FACTORY's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAA, C-Suite & Board Search, with a secondary code of BPACAAAF, Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt). Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.