Executive Search
Executive Search for Education & Training
Board and senior leadership hiring for the UK's education ecosystem. We place leaders who drive growth, navigate complexity, and understand the sector.
Our Approach
How We Work
Retained Search
For mission-critical hires: board-level, CEO, MD, commercial director roles. We commit resources exclusively to your search, managing the full process from candidate mapping through negotiation.
- Deep candidate mapping across the sector
- Confidential, discreet process
- Relationship-led approach
- Full support through negotiation
Semi-Retained Search
For specialist or senior operational roles where you need sector expertise but flexibility. We work alongside your own recruitment efforts, sourcing and vetting the strongest candidates.
- Targeted candidate sourcing
- Quality-focused approach
- Flexible engagement model
- Faster turnaround than retained
Leadership Roles
The leaders we find
CEO / MD
Provider leaders who can manage government relationships, navigate funding uncertainty, and drive commercial growth. Often multi-sector experience.
Commercial Director
Sales, business development, and commercial strategy leaders who understand how to scale in a regulated, contracted market.
Director of Curriculum
Thought leaders in programme development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance for training and FE.
COO / Operations Director
Operational leaders who can streamline processes, manage quality frameworks, and scale infrastructure.
Chief Finance Officer
Finance leaders with education sector knowledge, accustomed to complex funding models and audit environments.
Board Members
Non-exec and independent directors with strategic expertise, sector knowledge, and governance experience.
Sector Expertise
We specialise in education and skills
Training Providers
Apprenticeship providers, skills training, corporate learning. We understand funding models, government relationships, and the operational challenges of scaling delivery.
Specialist hires: Commercial directors, programme leaders, operations directorsEdTech
Learning platforms, assessment technology, LMS providers. We find leaders who combine tech credibility with education market understanding.
Specialist hires: Product leaders, go-to-market directors, education strategistsFE Colleges
Further education, vocational learning, adult education. We navigate the unique challenges of public-sector governance, funding, and stakeholder complexity.
Specialist hires: Principals, curriculum leads, commercial directorsInvestors & Acquirers
PE firms, strategic buyers, education-focused funds. We understand acquisition integration, operational improvements, and board-level strategic hiring.
Specialist hires: Integration directors, operational leads, post-acquisition executivesWhy Bolt Search
Built for the education sector
Deep Sector Network
15+ years in education recruitment. We know who's who, where they work now, and what moves them. Not a database - a working network.
Relationship-First
We don't scrape databases. Every candidate we approach already knows our name. That changes everything about the conversation.
Commercial Pragmatism
We understand education finances, government relationships, and the real constraints you face. No silver-bullet solutions - just practical hiring.
Absolute Discretion
For sensitive hires - particularly board roles and leadership transitions - we handle processes with total confidentiality.
The Process
How retained search works
Discovery & Specification
We spend time understanding your organisation, culture, challenges, and success criteria. Not just a job description - the real strategic context.
Candidate Mapping
We identify strong contenders in our network, and approach those we think are genuine prospects. Quality over speed.
Screening & Introduction
We conduct detailed conversations with candidates before making introductions. You meet people already warm to the opportunity.
Interview & Support
We support your interview process, manage feedback, and coach candidates through the decision.
Negotiation & Placement
We manage offer negotiation, ensure alignment on terms, and smooth the transition to your organisation.
Let's find your next leader
Whether you're filling a critical board role or building your leadership team, let's talk about how retained search can accelerate your hiring.
Book a Discovery Call