Hire visionary CAIOs to lead your AI transformation


Chief AI Officer Executive Search is now business-critical for organisations embracing digital transformation. At Hanson Search, we specialise in placing exceptional Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) who combine deep technical knowledge with strategic foresight. Whether you’re scaling AI capability, entering new markets, or embedding ethical governance, we’ll connect you with leaders who deliver real impact.

Why Hire a Chief AI Officer?

Hiring a Chief AI Officer is no longer optional for organisations embracing digital transformation. A CAIO helps you:

  • Translate AI strategy into business value

  • Lead enterprise-wide innovation and automation

  • Build and manage elite AI and data science teams

  • Navigate fast-evolving AI regulation and ethics

  • Stay ahead of AI advancements—from GenAI to foundation models

A Chief AI Officer bridges the gap between data science, product development, compliance, and board-level decision-making. Their impact extends across departments and across borders.

What Makes a Great Chief AI Officer?

The best CAIOs demonstrate:

  • Technical mastery in AI, ML, NLP, or deep learning

  • Strategic leadership and team-building capability

  • Experience scaling AI in regulated industries

  • A deep understanding of AI governance and data ethics

  • Strong stakeholder and boardroom communication skills

We assess every candidate’s ability to lead change, deliver ROI, and build responsible AI infrastructure from the ground up.

Our Global AI Executive Search Expertise

With a network spanning Europe, the UAE, the US and beyond, we recruit CAIOs for high-impact roles across diverse industries and organisational structures. From global corporates and sovereign-backed ventures to fast-scaling tech firms, our reach enables us to connect top-tier AI talent with the world’s most forward-thinking employers.

  • Financial services & fintech

  • Healthcare & life sciences

  • Energy & industrial sectors

  • Telecommunications & media

  • Government, smart cities & public sector innovation

As AI becomes a competitive differentiator, we help organisations across sectors stay ahead by hiring the right AI leadership.

Why Hanson Search for AI Executive Search?

  • 20+ years of executive search expertise

  • Deep knowledge of AI, tech, and innovation landscapes

  • B Corp certified: committed to ethical, inclusive hiring

  • Trusted by scale-ups, corporates, and government-backed entities

  • Proven experience placing CAIOs and C-level digital leaders

We’re not just recruiters — we’re talent advisors who understand how AI will shape the future of business

Ready to Hire a CAIO?

Whether you’re making your first senior AI hire or replacing a critical role, Hanson Search provides the strategic partnership you need. Get in touch with a member of our team today to start your Chief AI Officer Executive Search.

Get in touch








    Introducing
    Our Experts

    With a network spanning the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East, our team of recruitment consultants are experts in sourcing the best talent globally. Contact us to find your next hire, from PR pros to digital marketing experts and beyond.

    • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

      Alice Weightman

      Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...
    • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

      Janie Emmerson

      Janie Emmerson: Janie leads Hanson Search’s UK & European based teams. From the London office, she guides and supports their...
    • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

      Nils Gerardin

      Nils Gerardin: Nils Geradin is a seasoned executive search and recruitment consultant with nearly ten years of experience placing senior-level...
    • Managing Partner, MENA

      Felice Hurst

      Felice Hurst: With nearly twenty years of experience in search and recruitment, and a decade of experience working in MENA,...
    • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

      Katie Simpson

      Katie Simpson: Having previously spent 10 years in communications, Katie brings real industry insights into the hiring process. Taking her...
    • Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

      Amy Hayer

      Amy Hayer: Amy brings over 15 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on healthcare communications and international...
    • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

      Barbara Ozanon

      Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...
    • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

      Peter Ferguson

      Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most...
    • PA to CEO & Business Support

      Sam White

      Sam White: Sam joined Hanson Search in 2016 as an internal recruiter, bringing prior experience as an independent headhunter. Today,...
    • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

      Robyn Field

      Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...
    • Senior Consultant, Head of Digital

      Daisy Hughes

      Daisy Hughes: Daisy brings nearly a decade of recruitment experience to her role at Hanson Search, where she leads the...
    • Consultant, MENA

      Lexi Smith-Muller

      Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years’ experience working in...
    • Principal Consultant, Communications & Marketing

      Helena Ranger

      Helena Ranger: Helena is the Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR and Marketing. She plays a pivotal role...
    • Advisor

      Nicholas Watkins

      Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...
    • Senior Consultant, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability

      Allyson Kurian

      Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist in corporate affairs and sustainability communications, working at the mid-to-senior end of the market,...
    • Senior Consultant, Communications, Europe

      Camille Chevallier

      Camille Chevallier: Having started her career as a comms professional, Camille spent 20 years in senior roles within leading agencies...
    • Business Support

      Mirjana R.Dejanovska

      Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...
    • Internal Recruitment & Operations Lead

      Katie Cubbon

      Katie Cubbon: Katie manages internal recruitment at Hanson Search, while also overseeing office management and business operations. With experience across...
    • Researcher

      Arlena Butt

      Arlena Butt: Arlena is a valued researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the team across Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Health and...
    • Researcher

      Kristina Ugrin

      Kristina Ugrin: With more than 10 years’ experience in the UAE and Europe, in recruitment consultancy, event management and in-house...
    • Partner, Global Head of Sustainability

      Johnny Goldsmith

      Johnny Goldsmith: Johnny leads the global Sustainability & ESG practice at Hanson Search. He has over 8 years’ experience in...
    • Senior Consultant, Corporate & Financial Communications, UK & USA

      Rachel L’Estrange

      Rachel L’Estrange: After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing, Rachel made the move into recruiting for the industry...
    • Business Support

      Ivana Stevanovska

      Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...
    • Head of Interim Communications

      Ben Mitchell

      Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...
    • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

      Madeleine Weightman

      Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...
    • Search Director, MENA

      Amanda Dowie

      Amanda Dowie Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global recruitment experience, including more...

    Industry Interviews

    • Career

      Leadership Lessons with Martin Wayman, Group Corporate Responsibility Director at FirstGroup

      By Johnny Goldsmith
    • Career

      Digital

      Leadership Lessons with Chris Loy, Director and Digital Lead at Stonehaven

      By Daisy Hughes
    • Career

      Public Affairs

      Leadership Lessons with Greg Thompson, Head of Public Affairs at Go-Ahead Group

      By Peter Ferguson
    • Career

      Recruitment

      Camille Chevallier, Meet the Consultant

      By Hanson Search
    • C-suite & Advisory

      Career

      Leadership Lessons with Clément Reyne, Co-founder and Partner at WEMEAN

      By Camille Chevallier
    • Career

      Public Affairs

      Leadership Lessons with Christopher Snelling, Policy Director at AirportsUK

      By Peter Ferguson