Education
Wild Search has established a strong reputation for advising education clients on leadership and non executive appointments. Our rigorous approach and determination to secure the best appointments in the education sector has resulted in our being finalists in the Education Investor Awards.
“From day one, the help and support of all the team at Wild Search was exemplary. A difficult and challenging brief was provided, yet after an extensive search we achieved our objective and appointed two outstanding new members of my senior leadership team. When we need another team member, Wild Search will be at the top of my list to call first!”
John Southworth, Principal, MPW London
“Wild Search have assisted our Foundation in successfully recruiting both a new Chair of Trustees and an HR Director. In both cases, they rapidly understood what the organisation needed in these positions, they mobilised with sensible and attractive candidate briefs, and went out of their way to promote the roles widely. They were responsive to our feedback, and ran an efficient and professional service. We would be delighted to work with Wild Search in the future, and recommend them highly."
Gordon Carver, Chief Executive, United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation
“From our initial meetings with Edward where the brief was worked up, to the production of high quality literature co-ordinated by the Wild Search team, to the contacts made with prospective applicants we were not disappointed.
We felt like we were working in partnership with Wild Search, that they really understood us and that we were getting a bespoke service.
This positive experience continued through to recommendations of suitable candidates from the team, weekly updates on progress to date, opportunities for me as CEO to meet with or speak to prospective applicants, guidance with shortlisting and help in delivering a different type of interview days that really did allow candidates to give of their best and allow us to make two high class appointments. I can thoroughly recommend Wild Search.”
Iain Denning, Chief Executive Officer, Sharnbrook Academy Federation
“The Independent Schools Association (ISA) greatly valued having Wild Search as their recruiting company to search for our new CEO. Throughout, Edward and his team kept us fully informed of progress with candidates and produced a very strong short-list from which we selected an outstanding new CEO, following a robust and thorough interview process. Edward and his team provided an excellent service in all respects, listening to our needs and requests, and adjusting their approach to reflect the unique character of the Association. They would gain our full recommendation.”
Claire Osborn, Independent Schools Association Chair, 2019-2020
"Thank you to you and the team for your help this year, it’s been a transformational year from a compliance perspective as far as I am concerned and that’s mainly down to the great hires you have found for us! Look forward to working with you further next year."
Sam Kneller, HR Director, Study Group
"Wild Search did a superb job in identifying and engaging a leadership team for the newly formed multi academy trust which I lead. They managed almost 1000 enquiries which led to more than 100 applications and resulted in six appointments being made. This has been critical to the success of our start up and development as a national organisation."
Libby Nicholas, Former Chief Executive, Astrea Academy Trust
"Wild Search were proactive, positive and communicated the opportunity to potential candidates with real enthusiasm. Edward kept me fully updated as the search developed. I couldn’t recommend Wild Search highly enough."
Mark Malley, CEO, Bellevue Education
"While we recognised that finding a senior level business development professional to work in the charitable sector was a challenging brief, the Wild Search team rose to said challenge and presented us with several interesting and engaged candidates, from whom we were able to choose an individual who we are confident will help us drive the organisation forward. We recommend Wild Search wholeheartedly."
Alan Woods, Chief Executive Officer, VTCT
"We were delighted with the personable and efficient service provided by Wild Search as we sought to recruit a Director of Development. We were provided with a broad and interesting range of highly-qualified, diverse and interesting candidates, from whom we were able to make a first-rate appointment. Throughout the process, Wild Search were in touch and on the case. It was a pleasure to work with them, and we would certainly do so again."
Dr Gary Savage, Headmaster, Alleyn’s School
Charities & Foundations
Since our inception, Wild Search has worked extensively within the charity sector. We have undertaken searches, including those for chief executives, chairs and trustees, in a range of charities, from those with a turnover under £5m through to some of the country's largest.
“Wild Search were a pleasure to work with and achieved great results for us. Having had a target of two trustees we actually found 3 excellent candidates. Wild make the process feel personal, they stepped into our context very well and managed the process excellently. A very good experience all round.”
Angela Buxton, People Director, Mencap
“We selected Wild Search because of their track record, personal approach and knowledge of the third sector. We have had trouble filling leading roles in the past given the crowded nature of the medical research charity sector, so felt we needed expert help on this occasion. We were therefore delighted to get a good shortlist, finding more than one appointable candidate, thus allowing the Board a genuine choice. The new CEO starts in March and the Board is confident he will be a big success. As a result of this experience we are happy to recommend Wild Search as a trusted business partner.”
Ian Watmore, Chair, Migraine Trust
"Wild Search have been a pleasure to work with. From the way they helped develop the rather crude ideas we had of the candidate we were looking for to the production of a really strong field of contenders, Wild Search were attentive and efficient but with the lightness of touch that meant we never felt crowded. I also sense that unsuccessful candidates went away feeling good about the experience; surely the toughest test of a selection process."
Sir Robert Fry, Chairman, Sherborne Arts Trust (re. Director of the Paddock Project)
“They identified accurately the qualities and experience needed for this post and presented to us a very good list of potential candidates. It was most professionally handled and I would have no hesitation in using them again.”
The Rt Hon. the Lord Baker of Dorking CH, Chairman, The Edge Foundation
“They did so with great insight and knowledge of the needs of our organisation. Edward Wild’s very personable approach means that they work hard to truly understand the intricacies of our governance requirements (ie, running a school within a charitable organisation). We subsequently asked Wild Search to find our new Headteacher and this happened successfully, with a Consultant Headteacher also found to tide us over in the interim. A happy client.”
Dalton Leong, Chief Executive, The Children’s Trust
"The Wild Search team stood out a mile in terms of experience, connectivity within the charity and not-for-profit sectors, combined with an imaginative proposal to working with our Board of Trustees and to find our new Chief Executive Officer. The process was well managed from start to final offer and ultimately successful recruitment of the best individual. I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Wild Search to other organisations as a first class recruitment partner."
Peter Jones CBE, Entrepreneur and Founder of the Peter Jones Foundation
Trade Bodies and Agriculture
Our team has a broad and deep understanding of agriculture, trade bodies and agricultural societies as well as formidable networks therein.
“Wild Search was involved in the whole process from the production of a long list of candidates to the negotiation on terms for the successful candidate. For those of us involved in the selection process, it was extremely well organised and Edward proved to be an excellent facilitator and adviser.”
Nick Major, Chair, AIC
“The search for a non-executive Chair of a major trade association is never an easy assignment. Wild Search gave this real focus and very personal attention, which resulted in a really high-quality appointment. I am not sure many other search firms would have achieved a similar result.”
Tom Riall, Chief Executive Officer, IDH Group Limited (and board member, The Association of Dental Groups)
“Wild Search were able to get under the skin of our recruitment requirements. A new CEO appointment is very specific; clearly a skill set is required but just as important is the candidate’s leadership style and capabilities. Wild Search understood our needs extremely well and presented to us an excellent and diverse group of individuals for interview. This gave us a range of very credible candidates to select from when matched against our criteria on skill set, experience and approach to leadership.”
Gary Mills Thomas, Board Member, Crop Protection Association
