Irving Knight Group delivers executive search across 20+ core industries.

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About Us

Hundreds of 'Excellent' reviews

We find leaders that move businesses

Website Review Photo

Daniel Villanueva

Key Account Manager

Joseph is a dedicated professional and a stand up person to work with. His patience and his understanding certainly s...

Website Review Photo

Michel Cas

Sales Manager, France

Incredibly human oriented executive search, candidates handled with great care and respect, precise and concise infor...

Website Review Photo

Rania Metwall

Head of Sales, France

Would highly recommend working with Luca Dowdell. He helped me find the perfect job. Very professional, friendly and ...

Website Review Photo

Anja Florbach

Digital & Commercial Excellence Manager

Thank you so much Joseph! You have given me a great support. It was really nice to be in contact with you and I thin...

Website Review Photo

Veronica Hagborg

Senior Director Global HR, Sweden

I have had the opportunity to co-operate with Joseph in a process and I found him very proactive in keeping me inform...

Website Review Photo

Nika Kuchaidze

Senior Continuous Improvement Chemist, US

It was a pleasure working with Joseph on transitioning to a position with a new company. Communication was prompt,...

Website Review Photo

Jane Scates

Packaging Engineer, US

Henry was a true professional, perfect attention to detail at every step of the process. Would definitely recommend!

Website Review Photo

Joerg Schlagmann

Senior Global Manager

Great expert: supportive, challenging and always empowered for his customers and his work! Not more to say: just exce...

Website Review Photo

Franz-Leo Nedo

Territory Sales Manager

Joseph is an expert in recruting people. He has in-depth practical knowledge and helpful by solving potential issues....

Website Review Photo

Sandeep Kulshrestha

Formulation Director, US

Oliver is very good in matching skills of the candidates with the company’s requirements. I personally got benefits o...

Website Review Photo

Valeria Pozzi

Procurement Category Manager, Italy

Working with Oliver has been a real pleasure!His highly professionalism and transparency made me comfortable to consi...

Website Review Photo

Kaitlin Lammers

Account Manager

Oliver made the hiring process smooth from start to finish. He was consistently responsive, understanding, and suppor...

Website Review Photo

Dipen Shah

Account Manager, Canada

I was assisted by Aiden Kerr on getting a new job in the chemical industry. He was fantastic in terms of timing, comm...

Website Review Photo

Rishi Sarkar

Environmental Process Engineer, US

Irving Knight helped place me with a company that I could have a positive impact on that aligned with my career goals...

Website Review Photo

Ashley Maclean

Systems Sales Engineer, South Carolina

Jack Purnell with Irving Knight was the best recruiter I’ve worked with - by far. He communicated clearly, was respec...

Website Review Photo

Jeff Borchardt

Director of Planning, US

Mr. Clay was a wonderful recruiter. He was communicative and helped keep me informed through the process. He also fou...

Website Review Photo

Sara Benoit

Regional Account Manager, US

Irving Knight Group is a fantastic company. I was contacted by Aidan Kerr regarding a sales position opportunity in t...

Website Review Photo

Andreia Sa

Director, Italy

I would like to sincerely thank Evan Ball for all the support throughout the process. He provided assistance at diffe...

Website Review Photo

Christoph Snaga

Investment Manager, Germany

Christopher from Irving Knight handled the overall process well and we managed to get to a successful completion smoo...

Website Review Photo

Jon Steele

CFO, US

Grace taught an old dog some new tricks! I had been in my previous position for 30 years. I loved my job for most of...

Website Review Photo

Daniel Villanueva

Key Account Manager

Joseph is a dedicated professional and a stand up person to work with. His patience and his understanding certainly s...

Website Review Photo

Michel Cas

Sales Manager, France

Incredibly human oriented executive search, candidates handled with great care and respect, precise and concise infor...

Website Review Photo

Rania Metwall

Head of Sales, France

Would highly recommend working with Luca Dowdell. He helped me find the perfect job. Very professional, friendly and ...

Website Review Photo

Anja Florbach

Digital & Commercial Excellence Manager

Thank you so much Joseph! You have given me a great support. It was really nice to be in contact with you and I thin...

Website Review Photo

Veronica Hagborg

Senior Director Global HR, Sweden

I have had the opportunity to co-operate with Joseph in a process and I found him very proactive in keeping me inform...

Website Review Photo

Nika Kuchaidze

Senior Continuous Improvement Chemist, US

It was a pleasure working with Joseph on transitioning to a position with a new company. Communication was prompt,...

Website Review Photo

Jane Scates

Packaging Engineer, US

Henry was a true professional, perfect attention to detail at every step of the process. Would definitely recommend!

Website Review Photo

Joerg Schlagmann

Senior Global Manager

Great expert: supportive, challenging and always empowered for his customers and his work! Not more to say: just exce...

Website Review Photo

Franz-Leo Nedo

Territory Sales Manager

Joseph is an expert in recruting people. He has in-depth practical knowledge and helpful by solving potential issues....

Website Review Photo

Sandeep Kulshrestha

Formulation Director, US

Oliver is very good in matching skills of the candidates with the company’s requirements. I personally got benefits o...

Website Review Photo

Valeria Pozzi

Procurement Category Manager, Italy

Working with Oliver has been a real pleasure!His highly professionalism and transparency made me comfortable to consi...

Website Review Photo

Kaitlin Lammers

Account Manager

Oliver made the hiring process smooth from start to finish. He was consistently responsive, understanding, and suppor...

Website Review Photo

Dipen Shah

Account Manager, Canada

I was assisted by Aiden Kerr on getting a new job in the chemical industry. He was fantastic in terms of timing, comm...

Website Review Photo

Rishi Sarkar

Environmental Process Engineer, US

Irving Knight helped place me with a company that I could have a positive impact on that aligned with my career goals...

Website Review Photo

Ashley Maclean

Systems Sales Engineer, South Carolina

Jack Purnell with Irving Knight was the best recruiter I’ve worked with - by far. He communicated clearly, was respec...

Website Review Photo

Jeff Borchardt

Director of Planning, US

Mr. Clay was a wonderful recruiter. He was communicative and helped keep me informed through the process. He also fou...

Website Review Photo

Sara Benoit

Regional Account Manager, US

Irving Knight Group is a fantastic company. I was contacted by Aidan Kerr regarding a sales position opportunity in t...

Website Review Photo

Andreia Sa

Director, Italy

I would like to sincerely thank Evan Ball for all the support throughout the process. He provided assistance at diffe...

Website Review Photo

Christoph Snaga

Investment Manager, Germany

Christopher from Irving Knight handled the overall process well and we managed to get to a successful completion smoo...

Website Review Photo

Jon Steele

CFO, US

Grace taught an old dog some new tricks! I had been in my previous position for 30 years. I loved my job for most of...

We deliver executive search across 20+ industries, identifying leaders who drive performance and move businesses forward. We collaborate closely with our clients to design a search strategy that’s built around their specific needs.

Our sector specialists bring deep market knowledge and access to highly targeted talent pools, ensuring you meet candidates who are genuinely relevant. Throughout the process, we provide informed, real-time insight so decisions are made with clarity and confidence.

2026

Where it all started

Established in 2020 by industry leaders with over 25 years of collective experience, we launched with a different view on recruitment — one rooted in long-term value, real partnerships, and outcomes that truly matter. Instead of traditional transactional models, we set out to raise the bar: delivering intentional, insight-led search that drives sustainable impact for clients, candidates and our people.

Across every sector we serve, we widen access to exceptional talent, strengthen leadership pipelines, and solve the critical gaps that hold organisations back. By aligning deeply with our partners, we don’t just place great people — we help shape growth trajectories.

We invest in our own capability so our partners can level theirs — empowering organisations to perform, scale and stand out in competitive markets.

Leeds City Square and Panoramic View of Skyline

Shaping for
success

We’re built around people. By creating an environment where high-performing, collaborative professionals can thrive, we invest in our team so they can deliver consistently exceptional results for our clients. Our culture is designed to encourage ownership, high standards, and shared accountability — because great outcomes start with great people.

Many traditional recruitment models remain rigid and slow to adapt. We were founded to offer a more agile, insight-driven approach to executive search. By combining deep market expertise with proprietary technology and the freedom to challenge convention, we stay ahead of change and deliver leadership talent with clarity, pace, and precision.

“6 stars. For real.”

Jack Purnell - Managing Consultant, Irving Knight

2020

Fast forward to 23rd Feb

By 2026, Irving Knight has grown into a global executive search partner operating at the intersection of deep sector expertise, technology, and insight. From our offices in Leeds, London, and Dubai, we support organisations across complex, high-growth markets where leadership quality directly shapes performance, scale, and long-term value creation.

With an expanding international footprint, a specialist-led structure, and continued investment in technology and people, we are trusted to deliver critical hires that influence direction, not just fill positions.

Dubai Cityscape

Great work
starts here

We proudly earned our certification as a Great Place to Work®️—an achievement that reflects our culture, our people, and our values. We’re committed to creating an environment where wellbeing comes first and continuous improvement drives everything we do.

We’re equally proud to have earned an Excellent rating on Trustpilot®️, a reflection of the trust and satisfaction our clients and candidates consistently place in us. This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service and building long-term partnerships based on transparency, reliability, and results.

View Irving Knight on Great Place to Work

UKs Best Workplaces

UK's Best Workplaces 2025 Badge

UKs Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services

UK's Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services 2025 Badge
Team Collaboration Image

We’re obsessive about creating a place where people who are talented, hard-working, and full of team spirit can thrive.

We believe that exceptional performance comes from creating the right environment. By fostering a culture built on trust, collaboration, and high standards, we enable people to do their best work, take ownership, and grow with confidence alongside motivated, like-minded colleagues.

Read more about Our Culture
Company culture moment
Company culture moment
Company culture moment
Happy Doggo Charity Image

Irving Knight Group is proud to support Happy Doggo, a charity sterilizing, feeding and providing emergency medical care for street dogs around the world.

Giving back

Giving back matters to us — not as an obligation, but as part of how we operate. At our core is a belief in meaningful, long-term partnerships, and we extend that same commitment beyond our work and into the communities around us.

We also recognise our responsibility to operate sustainably. By investing in smarter technology and more efficient ways of working, we’ve significantly reduced our paper usage over the past year and continue to challenge ourselves to minimise our environmental impact.

Through considered action — supporting our community, reducing our footprint, and using our resources responsibly — we aim to work in a way that benefits people, partners, and the planet.

Read more about Our Charity Work

Up Next

Culture

Explore Culture

Why Us

Why Irving Knight

FAQs

We’re here to make Executive Search easy to understand. Find answers to the most common questions below.

Our priority is fit, not speed. We take time to understand your background, goals, and motivations, then provide clear insight into each opportunity so you’re only considered for roles that truly align with your experience and ambitions.

We specialise in senior, specialist, and leadership appointments across the markets we serve. Our focus is on roles where experience, judgement, and cultural alignment are critical — typically mid- to senior-level management through to executive and board appointments.

You’ll gain honest market insight, access to high-quality opportunities, and clear guidance throughout the process. Our aim is simple: to help you make the right move, at the right time, with confidence.

No. Our services are completely free for candidates. We are retained by our client partners to manage their hiring processes, meaning there is never a cost to you at any stage.

Our role is to represent your interests professionally, provide guidance throughout the process, and help you assess opportunities objectively — without any financial obligation.

No — if anything, it gives you an advantage. We provide context, insight, and advocacy that ensure your experience and motivations are clearly understood from the outset. Our role is to strengthen your candidacy and guide you through a transparent, well-managed process.

We operate as a retained, partnership-led search firm rather than a transactional recruiter. That means fewer searches, deeper engagement, and a far higher level of commitment to outcomes. By combining sector specialism, market intelligence, and a disciplined search methodology, we deliver hires that are aligned not only to role requirements, but to culture, strategy, and long-term growth plans.

We don’t rely on databases or job advertising alone. Our searches are driven by proactive market mapping, targeted outreach, and insight gained from long-standing sector networks. Candidates are assessed on capability, leadership style, cultural alignment, and long-term potential — not just CV fit — ensuring a robust and well-informed shortlist.

Confidentiality is fundamental to how we operate. Every search is handled with discretion, clear communication, and controlled market engagement. As your representative in the market, we protect your brand, manage messaging carefully, and ensure sensitive information is only shared when appropriate — safeguarding both your business and your candidates throughout the process.

Our retained model is designed to deliver outcomes, not volume. Because we invest the time to fully understand the role, the business, and the wider context, we achieve a consistently high completion rate across our searches. More importantly, our focus is on long-term retention and impact, not short-term placement metrics.

While our process is designed to minimise risk, we recognise that circumstances can change. In the rare event a placement doesn’t succeed, we work closely with our client to address the situation and agree the most appropriate next steps. Our commitment is to the partnership and the outcome — not just the initial hire

Let's talk

Contact Irving Knight Group for Executive Search Enquiries