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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.

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  • 30.03.2026

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  • 26.03.2026

    VP Communications – Washington, D.C.

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    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 the communications industry, 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...

    • 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...

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

    • 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...

    • 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...

    • Senior Consultant, Head of Technology, UK and USA

      Rachel L’Estrange

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

    • Head of Corporate and Financial

      Allyson Kurian

      Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist headhunter in corporate affairs and financial communications recruitment, focusing on mid-to-senior level roles both...

    • 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...

    • Marketing Content Executive

      Reg Wheeler

      Reg Wheeler: Reg is a Marketing Content Executive at Hanson Search, supporting a range of marketing and content initiatives across...

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

    • 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...

    • Researcher

      Aneta Arsovska

      Aneta Arsovska: With over 10 years of experience in recruitment across various industries, Aneta specialises in research-driven recruitment and talent...

    • 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

      Ivana Stevanovska

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

    • Business Support

      Mirjana R.Dejanovska

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

    • Advisor

      Michelle Milbourn

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

    • Advisor

      Nicholas Watkins

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

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    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