Partner Hire, Global Executive Search Firm, Private Equity Practice
The Brief
The firm sought to hire a Partner to lead CFO searches into Private Equity–backed portfolio companies. The bar was set high. The individual needed to be generating at least $1.5 million in annual revenue and working with businesses in the $300 million to $1 billion range.
Cultural fit was equally important. The successful candidate had to show a consistent track record of collaboration, including selling on behalf of other Partners, being brought into work by peers, and contributing to wider team success. These qualities are rare in high-performing revenue generators, where traits that drive individual sales often come at the cost of shared effort.
Credibility and seniority were essential. Yet presenting a clear and verifiable background within such a narrow candidate profile proved difficult. The pool was both limited and highly competitive.
The Solution
Tempting Talent used a direct headhunting approach to map and engage the market, drawing a shortlist from its immediate network. Out of 106 targeted individuals, 65 entered conversations. Five would go on to final stages, with multiple rounds of interviews and informal sessions designed to assess cultural and commercial alignment and acumen.
The client’s US leadership team took an active role in the process, becoming a bridge between Tempting Talent and the candidate, building trust and helping secure buy-in from both sides. Their involvement strengthened the candidate’s relationship with the wider Partner group, ensuring closing the candidate would be an absolute.
The candidate joined with three active mandates totaling $600,000 in revenue, immediately demonstrating value and giving the firm confidence in the hire.
The Result
In addition to the Partner placement in July 2025, a Director was hired 90 days into the process—an opportunistic hire that the client welcomed at the time. Tempting Talent continues to support the firm through an ongoing annual engagement model, including active searches for their Partner team.
Midway through the process, the client commissioned three more searches with Tempting Talent, recognising the professionalism and strategic support on offer.
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One Partner placed (July 2025)
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One Director placed at Day 90
Ongoing active searches into the Partner team have continued as part of a continuous annual engagement that began in February 2025.
This search was led by Rob White. Contact Rob to establish how he can help you with your hiring initiatives: r.white@temptingtalent.com
