Executive Search | Fram Search

Retained Search for Senior, Business-Critical Appointments

Selective, confidential and built around outcomes, not activity. 100% completion rate on every retained mandate.

Retained Executive Search for Financial Services

Fram Search advises clients on senior, confidential and business-critical appointments across UK financial services, with a particular focus on wealth management, asset management, venture capital, fintech and specialist finance.

Our retained executive search service is designed for appointments where the cost of getting the decision wrong is significant. We combine detailed market mapping, direct approaches and rigorous candidate assessment to identify senior professionals with the experience, leadership capability and cultural fit required for the role.

Unlike a recruitment process built around available applicants, retained search enables us to research the relevant market comprehensively and engage individuals who may not otherwise be considering a move. Each mandate is personally led by our Managing Director, supported by Fram's sector and functional expertise.

Our retained model is selective, discreet and built around outcomes. We have a 100% completion rate on retained mandates.

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Simon Roderick

Managing Director
[email protected]
01525 864 372

Fram’s Executive Search practice is led by Simon Roderick. Simon graduated in Law from Queen Mary, University of London, and has twenty years’ financial services executive search & senior appointments experience. He works with clients in the fields of Asset Management, Hedge Funds, Family Offices, Private Equity, and Private Wealth Management. Simon personally manages all searches, supported by a team of functional experts and researchers where required.

When Executive Search Is the Right Approach

Not every appointment requires retained search. We typically recommend executive search where the importance, seniority, confidentiality or complexity of an appointment makes a comprehensive search of the market more valuable than relying on candidates already considering a move.

This may include replacing a senior leader confidentially, appointing a CEO or functional head, building leadership capability ahead of growth or investment, succession planning, entering a new market, or recruiting for a position where the available candidate pool is particularly limited.

A retained mandate gives us the commitment to map the relevant market thoroughly, approach potential candidates discreetly and assess individuals against the particular commercial and cultural requirements of the organisation — including people who would never respond to an advertised vacancy.

Typical Executive Search Appointments

Investments & Front Office

Chief Investment Officer

Investment Director

Head of Investments

Portfolio Management Leadership

Investment Research Leadership

Finance & Operations

Chief Financial Officer

Finance Director

Chief Operating Officer

Head of Operations

Transformation Leadership

Legal, Compliance & Governance

General Counsel

Chief Compliance Officer

Compliance Director

MLRO

Company Secretary

Risk Leadership

Sales, Marketing & Distribution

Chief Commercial Officer

Head of Distribution

Institutional Sales Leadership

Intermediary Sales Leadership

Chief Marketing Officer

Head of Investor Relations

Case Studies

CEO – Fast Growing Wealth Manager

Appointed CEO and CFO for an ambitious wealth manager pursuing a build-and-build growth strategy.

Fram was retained to find a CEO with previous SMF1 status and the ability to create and execute strategy for a firm undergoing significant operational investment. Having placed the CEO, Fram was subsequently instructed to appoint the CFO.

CEO – FinTech

Placed a growth-focused CEO for a boutique FinTech within a stalled search process.

A prior executive search had run without a placement. Fram was brought in to find a CEO who could both understand a technically complex product and position the firm for its next growth phase. A strong candidate was identified and placed in a timely manner.

The retained-search process

1. Define the Brief

We establish the objectives of the appointment, required experience, leadership characteristics, market context and measures of success.

2. Map the Market

We identify relevant organisations and individuals across the target market, drawing on our existing networks and additional research.

3. Approach & Assess

Potential candidates are approached confidentially and assessed against the experience, capabilities and circumstances of the appointment.

4. Shortlist

We present a focused shortlist with detailed insight into each candidate's background, motivations, suitability and remuneration.

5. Appointment

We support interviews, assessment, referencing where appropriate, offer negotiation and the transition through to appointment.

We are proud of our 100% success rate on retained assignments

Personally Led Search

Each retained mandate is personally managed by Simon Roderick, supported by Fram's functional specialists and research capability where required.

Targeted Market Mapping

We define and research the relevant market rather than limiting the search to known candidates or those actively considering a move.

Direct & Confidential Approach

Senior candidates are frequently not active in the recruitment market. We approach relevant individuals directly and manage conversations discreetly.

Rigorous Assessment

Candidates are assessed against the commercial objectives of the appointment as well as experience, leadership capability, motivation and cultural fit.