menu

Finding the right CEO is critical for driving long-term success in today’s competitive market. In the UAE, where the business landscape is rapidly evolving, securing an experienced leader who understands both local and international markets is crucial. At Hanson Search, we specialise in CEO executive search in the UAE; connecting organisations with CEOs who can not only meet immediate business needs but also shape the future of their organisations.

We understand that appointing a CEO is a high-stakes decision that impacts the future of your organisation. Therefore, we offer a tailored approach to ensure the candidates we present are a perfect fit for your company. By providing a combination of market intelligence, industry insights, and our extensive network, we offer clients the most relevant and capable candidates to lead their organisations forward.

What We Do

Our recruitment services cater to a wide range of clients, from high-growth start-ups to established enterprises. We support organisations that are looking to appoint visionary CEOs who will lead their business to success. At Hanson Search, we focus on delivering candidates who align with your organisation’s culture and strategic direction. Our services include:

  • CEO recruitment for organisations scaling in the UAE

  • Succession planning and leadership development

  • Advisory support for leadership team structures

  • Interim CEO placement for transitional periods

Through our expertise, we ensure that the CEOs we place possess the leadership qualities needed to navigate complex challenges, build strong teams and drive organisational growth.

Our CEO Executive Search Process in the UAE

We take a personalised approach to CEO recruitment in the UAE. By first understanding your company’s specific goals and challenges, we identify leaders who can make a long-lasting impact on your business. Once we’ve gained a clear understanding of your requirements, we begin sourcing candidates who not only meet the technical skills needed but also align with your company’s culture and values.

As an ADGM-licensed firm, we are familiar with the regulatory and business environment in the UAE, allowing us to focus on candidates who can navigate these complexities with ease. We assess candidates on several key factors, including:

  • Leadership abilities and vision for the future

  • Capability to manage and develop senior teams

  • Experience in driving growth and managing change

This approach ensures we place CEOs who are equipped to deliver immediate value while leading your company through ongoing market challenges and opportunities in the UAE.

Why Choose Hanson Search for Your CEO Executive Search in the UAE?

Our team brings years of experience in executive search, specifically within the UAE market. As a result, we understand the nuances of doing business in this region, including local governance structures and market opportunities. By focusing on these factors, we help you build lasting partnerships and identify leadership talent capable of driving long-term strategic success.

Moreover, our global reach enables us to connect UAE organisations with top-tier CEO candidates from around the world. Thanks to our established network of high-calibre executives, we can place leaders with the expertise needed to thrive in the UAE’s fast-paced business environment.

CEO Recruitment FAQs for the UAE

How do you ensure the right fit for CEO recruitment in the UAE?

We take the time to understand your business goals, culture, and challenges. By doing this, we identify CEOs who can not only meet your immediate needs but also lead long-term success. Additionally, our knowledge of the UAE market ensures we recommend candidates who can navigate local regulations and dynamics effectively.

What makes your CEO recruitment process unique in the UAE?

Our process is personalised to your organisation’s specific needs. By focusing on leadership qualities, strategic vision, and cultural fit, we identify CEOs who are capable of adapting to the fast-changing market environment in the UAE. This way, we ensure that the candidates we place are a perfect fit for your business.

How do you maintain confidentiality during the recruitment process?

Confidentiality is a top priority in every recruitment we handle. Throughout the process, we ensure that all sensitive information is kept secure. This ensures that both clients and candidates are protected, allowing for a smooth and discreet recruitment experience.

Get in Touch to Hire a CEO for Your Business in the UAE

Looking for an experienced CEO to lead your business in the UAE? Whether you’re looking to scale or need a strategic leader to guide your organisation, we are here to help.

Contact our CEO recruitment specialists today to discuss your requirements and how we can help you secure the right leadership talent to drive your company’s growth.

Latest jobs

View all
  • 04.03.2026

    Financial Communications Director, Investor Relations, London

    • Location: London
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: Competitve
    • Specialism: Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Financial Communications
    A London-based listed company is seeking a Financial Communications Director to lead and shape its financial communications strategy, focusing on investor relations, media relations and corporate messaging. This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to work closely with the executive team, ensuring clear and effective communication with key stakeholders, including investors, analysts and the media. This is an opportunity to join a leading FTSE-listed London company during a p...
    View job & apply
  • 04.03.2026

    Strategic Communications Director, Asset Management, London

    • Location: London
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: Competitve
    • Specialism: Corporate Communications, Financial Communications
    A leading London asset management firm is hiring a Strategic Communications Director to lead internal and external communications strategies. This opportunity places you with the executive leadership team, shaping communications to support business growth, reputation and stakeholder engagement in the financial sector. Join a prestigious London asset management firm during growth and transformation. Shape market positioning, thought leadership and corporate messaging to align communic...
    View job & apply
  • 04.03.2026

    Communications & PR Director, Education Group, Middle East

    • Location: Dubai
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: 60,000-70,000 AED plus benefits
    • Specialism: Corporate Communications, Internal Communications
    Join a fast-growing international education group in Dubai in this Communications & PR Director Dubai role, transforming from a UK-focused operator into a global, all-ability education platform backed by Rise Capital’s social impact strategy. With a strengthened UK schools network, ongoing acquisitions in Spain, and rapid expansion across the Middle East, this senior Communications & PR Director Dubai role will lead both internal and external communications, shaping how growth, integr...
    View job & apply
  • 03.03.2026

    Digital Communications Senior Consultant or Director, Strategic Communications Consultancy | London

    • Location: London
    • Type: Permanent / Hybrid
    • Salary: Competitve
    • Specialism: Corporate Communications, Digital
    A leading, global CEO advisory and strategic communications firm is seeking a Digital Communications Director in London to join its high-performing team. Known for its expertise in strategic communications, investor relations, crisis management, and integrated consulting services, working with top-tier clients across a range of sectors, this is a rare opportunity to join a top-tier  firm trusted by global brands. The firm blends data, behaviour insight and creative thinking to deliver measura...
    View job & apply
  • 02.03.2026

    Director – Strategic Communications Consultancy | Abu Dhabi, UAE

    • Location: Abu Dhabi
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: AED 35,000 – AED 45,000
    • Specialism: Strategic Communications
    We are working with a highly regarded independent strategic communications consultancy to appoint Director in Abu Dhabi. The consultancy combines strategic thinking with data-led insight and behavioural understanding to deliver integrated solutions. With ambitious growth plans in the region, they are seeking an entrepreneurial and commercially minded Director to play a key leadership role in the Abu Dhabi office. The Opportunity: Director Communications Ro...
    View job & apply
  • 02.03.2026

    Associate Director – Strategic Communications Consultancy | Abu Dhabi, UAE

    • Location: Abu Dhabi
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: AED 30,000 – 35,000 per month
    • Specialism: Strategic Communications
    We are partnering with a highly regarded independent strategic communications consultancy to appoint an Associate Director to join their growing team in Abu Dhabi. The consultancy combines strategic thinking with data-led insight and behavioural understanding to deliver integrated solutions. As a result, it has built a strong reputation for advising on complex, business-critical mandates. With ambitious growth plans in the region, they are now seeking an en...
    View job & apply
  • 26.02.2026

    Social Media Content Creator Job – Fashion E-commerce Brand (Remote UK & Europe)

    • Location: Fully remote – London or Europe
    • Type: Remote working
    • Salary: £40,000 (or Euros equivalent)
    • Specialism: Digital, Editorial & Content
    We are partnering with an exciting and fast-growing fashion e-commerce brand to recruit a Social Media Content Creator. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic, digitally-led business with a distributed team working remotely across the UK and Europe. Our client is looking for a highly creative, visually driven content specialist who lives and breathes social media and understands how to create scroll-stopping content that converts. About the Social Media Content Creator Role in...
    View job & apply
  • 26.02.2026

    Head of Acquisition – E-commerce & Financial Education | Dubai

    • Location: Dubai
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: 110 000 € – 120 000 €
    • Specialism: Digital, Marketing
    A fast-growing e-commerce and financial education business is on a mission to transform how individuals learn about wealth creation and investing. With a strong media presence and a highly engaged community, the company is now seeking a Head of Acquisition to drive profitable and scalable growth. This role is based in Dubai and requires full professional fluency in French. We are open to candidates currently based in Dubai or those located in France who are ...
    View job & apply
  • 23.02.2026

    Executive Assistant Abu Dhabi – Head of Office, Abu Dhabi

    • Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: Competitive
    • Specialism: Operational
    Executive Assistant to Head of Office | Global Brand Expanding in the UAE We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Executive Assistant in Abu Dhabi to support the Head of Office of a well-established global brand expanding in the region. This is a fast-paced and demanding role. Therefore, it requires someone who thrives in a dynamic environment. The successful candidate will manage a broad range of responsibil...
    View job & apply
  • 18.02.2026

    Investor Relations Lead Abu Dhabi – Investment Management, UAE

    • Location: Abu Dhabi
    • Type: Permanent
    • Salary: Competitive Package
    • Specialism: Investor Relations
    Our client, a leading Abu Dhabi-based investment management business, is seeking an Investor Relations Lead to define and execute its investor engagement and corporate reputation strategy. This senior strategic role is key in positioning the organisation with investors, shareholders, regulators, media, and stakeholders across the UAE and internationally. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s narrative, protecting its reputation, and ensuring its story is c...
    View job & apply

 

Get in touch









    Introducing
    Our recruitment Experts

    Our team possesses a unique blend of industry expertise, advanced recruitment acumen, and professional assessment skills on a global scale. With an in-depth understanding of the market, we are perfectly positioned to help you hire the best talent that you need

    Meet the team

    • 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...

    • 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...

    • Managing 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...

    • 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...

    • Search Director, MENA

      Amanda Dowie

      Amanda Dowie : MENA Search Director Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global...

    • 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...

    • Principal Consultant, Communications, Marketing & Digital Marketing

      Helena Ranger

      Helena Ranger: Helena is Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR, Marketing and Digital Marketing. She plays a pivotal...

    • 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...

    • Director, Hanson Capital MENA

      Alice Maltby

      Alice Maltby : Director, Investor Markets, UAE Alice Maltby is a Director at Hanson Search MENA, working within the firm’s...

    • Senior Consultant, Head of Technology, UK and USA

      Rachel L’Estrange

      Rachel L’Estrange: After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing,  Rachel moved into recruiting in 2021 and hasn’t looked...

    • Head of Corporate and Financial

      Allyson Kurian

      Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist headhunter in corporate affairs and financial communications, working at the mid-to-senior end of the...

    • 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...

    • 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...

    • 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...

    • Senior Researcher

      Arlena Butt

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

    • Researcher

      Fani Mateska

      Fani Mateska: With over four years’ experience in recruitment consultancy, Fani joined Hanson Search in July 2025, bringing expertise from...

    • Researcher

      Ivana Cilevska

      Ivana Cilevska: Ivana is a Researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the European team across client mandates and contributing to business...

    • 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...

    • Researcher, MENA

      Nevena Ilievska

      Nevena Ilievska: With a degree in Psychology and nearly four years of experience in talent acquisition and research, Nevena has...

    • Marketing Lead

      Sam White

      Sam White: Marketing Lead Sam White joined Hanson Search in 2016, initially working as an internal recruiter after gaining experience...

    • 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...

    • Business Support

      Mirjana R.Dejanovska

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

    • Business Support

      Ivana Stevanovska

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

    • Advisor

      Nicholas Watkins

      Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...

    • Advisor

      Michelle Milbourn

      Michelle Milbourn: Advisor Michelle is a seasoned executive search specialist with two decades of experience supporting founders and investors across...

    Trusted by World Leading Organisations

    Browse case studies

    What people say about us

    Hanson Search’s knowledge of the market is up to date and accurate, they understand day to day needs for their clients, but their real USP is the ability to introduce talent that enables ambition & growth.

    Talent Partner, Blakeney

    Hanson Search is a trusted and valued recruitment partner to MHP Group. They know the business and the teams they work across well and always strive to provide us with the most high-quality candidates.

    Talent Partner, MHP Group

    The Hanson Search team truly places quality over quantity and it’s refreshing. Their robust screening process means that you may only view a handful of candidates but each one of them has something to offer the role.

    Head of Campaigns, Third Bridge

    Hanson Search has been instrumental in identifying and recruiting senior executives for RAK Tourism. They deeply understood the nature of the roles and people we need and provided excellent candidates.

    CEO, RAK Tourism

    Hanson Search quickly ‘got’ us. They were proactive in their search and responsive in their service right from the outset. Very happy client.

    MD, firstlightPR, Paul Davies

    Hanson Search understands our business and is able to identify very strong candidates at all levels.

    Managing Partner, Brunswick Group - Gulf, Rupert Young

    I’ve worked with headhunters for the past 20 years, but I’ve found Hanson Search has a better understanding of how to attract and secure the right talent for our market.

    CEO, Hanover, Charles Lewington