How we rank
What the numbers on this site actually mean.
We score companies on their business model and risk-bearing capacity. This includes how they structure fees, whether they offer guarantees, and how they handle candidate placement risks. Firms that take on more responsibility for successful hires score higher because they align their incentives with your outcomes.
Location and industry fit are critical. We re-rank our shortlist for each market by analyzing a firm's experience, local knowledge, and success rates in that specific area. This surfaces local specialists that may be overlooked in a global list. For example, a UK executive search firm may dominate the UK market even if it isn't in the global top five.
Our editorial independence is paramount. We are not paid for rankings, and we re-score companies per market based on data and client feedback. This means a firm's position can change depending on the criteria you select. We aim for transparency in our methodology so you can trust our recommendations.
Guarantees, specialization, and pricing transparency are weighted heavily in our scores. A replacement guarantee shows confidence in candidate quality, specialization indicates deeper market knowledge, and clear pricing helps you budget. These factors reduce risk for employers and lead to better hiring outcomes.