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Birmingham Headhunters & Executive Search

Retained executive search and headhunting for senior appointments in Birmingham and the surrounding region.

Birmingham is one of the UK's most significant regional centres for executive search, with a diverse economy spanning professional services, manufacturing, automotive, financial services, and a growing technology sector. The city's position at the heart of the West Midlands — with convenient access to London, Manchester, and the wider Midlands manufacturing corridor — makes it a natural base for both client organisations and senior candidates.

The HSBC relocation of its UK headquarters to Birmingham, the growth of professional services firms in the city centre, and the ongoing regeneration driven by major infrastructure investment have all increased demand for senior talent in the region. Birmingham's executive market is less visible than London or Manchester but no less competitive — the best candidates are well-networked locally and are actively courted by major organisations in the region and nationally.

Executive Search Roles Placed in Birmingham

MD
CFO
Operations Director
Sales Director
HR Director
Head of Technology
Commercial Director
Finance Director
Head of Strategy
Legal Director

Top 10 Birmingham Headhunting Firms

Our research team assessed over 200 executive search firms with active coverage of the Birmingham market. The following firms were selected based on regional expertise, track record of senior appointments, client feedback, and breadth of sector coverage.

1

Executive Headhunters EMA Partners UK

✓ AESC Accredited

Retained executive search firm with deep Midlands coverage. Strong track record in manufacturing, automotive supply chain, professional services, and financial services leadership across the West Midlands.

2

Elliot Marsh

Executive search firm covering senior appointments across the Midlands. Particularly active in MD, Operations Director, and CFO mandates for PE-backed industrial and professional services businesses in the region.

3

EM Vanguard

Retained search firm specialising in defence, aerospace, and manufacturing leadership. The West Midlands' concentration of automotive OEMs and defence supply chain companies is a core market.

4

Tectivo

Technology executive search firm covering the Midlands' growing tech sector. Specialises in CTO, CIO, and digital leadership for technology and technology-enabled businesses in the region.

5

Exemplia Group

Public sector and not-for-profit executive search firm. Covers Birmingham's significant local government, NHS, and education sector leadership appointments.

6

Berwick Partners

Birmingham-headquartered director-level search firm. Part of the Odgers group with particularly deep Midlands manufacturing, engineering, and professional services networks.

7

Odgers Berndtson

Major UK search firm with a Birmingham office. Strong coverage of Midlands industrial, automotive, and professional services sectors.

8

Michael Page Executive Search

Retained search practice with significant Midlands presence. Covers director-level manufacturing, engineering, and finance appointments.

9

Korn Ferry

Global firm covering Midlands C-suite appointments across industrial, automotive, and financial services sectors.

10

Hays Executive

Executive arm of the Hays group with dedicated Midlands coverage across manufacturing, engineering, and technology leadership.

Rankings are based on our independent research and are updated periodically. Firms are assessed on regional presence, sector specialisation, senior appointment track record, and client satisfaction. headhunters.co.uk may receive referral fees from some listed firms.

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