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Appointing a Chief Financial Officer in the UAE is a critical board decision.

Across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the role now extends far beyond reporting and compliance. Responsibility covers capital allocation, regulatory alignment, risk management and the financial discipline required to support sustained growth. As a result, close partnership with the CEO and board is expected, particularly within investor-backed, sovereign-linked and high-growth organisations.

Hanson Search delivers CFO executive search in the UAE, advising boards, founders and investors on the appointment of senior finance leaders who operate confidently within regional governance frameworks and international capital markets.

CFO Executive Search UAE for Strategic Growth and Capital Events

CFO executive search in the UAE is frequently linked to expansion and capital activity. For example, boards engage during fundraising, refinancing, acquisitions, IPO preparation or regional expansion across the GCC and international markets. At these stages, the organisation requires a Chief Financial Officer who understands both regional complexity and global capital structures.

In high-growth businesses, the priority is building infrastructure that supports scale and internationalisation. Conversely, within more established organisations, the emphasis may shift towards governance discipline, capital efficiency and risk oversight. In either context, credibility with investors and regulators remains central.

Accordingly, appointments are shaped by proven impact within comparable ownership and regulatory environments rather than profile alone.

CFO Recruitment UAE Aligned to Ownership and Governance

Effective CFO recruitment in the UAE must reflect ownership structure and board dynamics.

For instance, family-owned groups often prioritise long-term stewardship and discretion, whereas sovereign-backed platforms require governance depth and stakeholder alignment. Private equity-backed businesses typically demand transaction capability and performance rigour, while listed entities operate under continuous regulatory and investor scrutiny.

These distinctions influence how a Chief Financial Officer leads and communicates. Consequently, assessment focuses not only on technical expertise but also on executive presence, judgement and the ability to operate across diverse stakeholder groups.

Authority, clarity and resilience therefore remain fundamental.

Why Use Hanson Search for CFO Executive Search UAE

CFO executive search mandates in the UAE are partner-led and handled with discretion. Targeted market mapping spans regional and international talent pools, engaging senior finance leaders who may not be actively seeking new roles.

Boards and investors appoint Hanson Search for CFO recruitment in the UAE because of:

Board-level advisory experience in complex, high-stakes appointments

Understanding of sovereign, private capital and listed governance structures

Insight into regional regulatory and ownership dynamics

Long-term leadership alignment rather than transactional placement

Disciplined execution with pace and discretion

Hire a CFO in the UAE

Hanson Search is a specialist executive search and talent advisory firm operating across the UAE and internationally.

If you are appointing a Chief Financial Officer in the UAE or strengthening your senior finance leadership team, Hanson Search would welcome a confidential discussion.

Contact our CFO executive search team to discuss your UAE requirements.

Latest jobs

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  • 18.02.2026

    Investor Relations Lead Abu Dhabi – Investment Management, UAE

    • Location: Competitive Package
    • 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...
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  • 17.02.2026

    Managing Director UK – Nuclear Instrumentation & Radiation Safety Group, UK

    • Location: UK (Remote)
    • Type: Permanent / Remote
    • Salary: £150,000
    • Specialism: Editorial & Content, Sales & Commercial
    Hanson Search is representing a global technology group operating at the forefront of radiation safety, nuclear instrumentation and high-integrity imaging systems. We are seeking a Managing Director to lead the UK operations for a global technology group. This Managing Director UK nuclear leadership role carries full commercial and operational accountability across multiple sites serving highly regulated sectors. Our client is an internationally recognised leader delivering critical soluti...
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  • 12.02.2026

    Channel Strategist, Strategic Communications Consultancy, London

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    • Type: Permanent
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  • 11.02.2026

    Account Manager/Senior Account Manager – Financial Services, London

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    • Type: Permanent / Hybrid
    • Salary: Competitive & excellent benefits
    • Specialism: Corporate Communications, Financial Communications
    Account Manager / Senior Account Manager in Financial Services Communications As part of our Financial Services PR recruitment London practice, we are supporting a dynamic, award-winning, integrated communications agency. They are seeking a stand-out, go-getting Account Manager or Senior Account Manager for their Financial Services team. This role sits within the agency’s booming Financial Services team, supporting clients across fintech, banking, ins...
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  • 11.02.2026

    UK Managing Director – Technology PR & Venture Capital (12-Month FTC), London

    • Location: London (12-Month FTC)
    • Type: 12 Months FTC
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    UK Leadership role for a High-Growth European Tech PR Consultancy We’re proud to be supporting an award-winning European consultancy on its search for a brilliant contractor to fill in as UK Managing Director during a period of parental leave. This 12-month Fixed Term Contract will see you lead the high-performing London office of this agency specialising in high-growth technology companies and venture capital firms. Acting as a key member of the leadership team, this is a senior...
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  • 10.02.2026

    Interim Head of Marketing – Music Festival – Germany

    • Location: Germany-based (Hamburg or Berlin preferred)
    • Type: Interim
    • Salary: 100 000 € - 130 000 €
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    About the Role – Interim Head of Marketing in Germany We are supporting a global festival promoter in the search for an Interim Head of Marketing in Germany, appointed to lead marketing activity for a major European music event. This senior, commercial role spans digital presence, audience growth, ticketing, merchandising and more. Fluency in both German and English is essential.
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  • 09.02.2026

    Managing Director, Global Creative & Media Leadership (London or Denmark)

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    • Type: Permanent / Hybrid
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    Ready to shape the future of a global in-house agency? We are conducting an executive search for a Managing Director at an In-House Agency. The role will lead a globally integrated creative, media and performance function. Importantly, this Managing Director In-House role focuses on senior leadership capable of scaling an in-house agency across multiple markets. At the same time, the role requires a clear focus on commercial and creative impact.
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    Chief Sales Officer, SaaS, London

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    B2B Legal Knowledge SaaS Platform – Built by lawyers for Layers We are seeking a Chief Sales Officer to lead commercial growth for our client as they scale a premium legal knowledge and productivity platform into a multi-product enterprise business. This board-facing leadership role reports directly to the CEO. From the outset, you will work closely with the Head of Partnerships and the senior leadership team to drive the next phase of growth. About the Business
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  • 09.02.2026

    General Manager – C-Suite, Abu Dhabi

    • Location: Abu Dhabi
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    General Manager C-suite – Executive Search in Abu Dhabi We are conducting a C- level executive search for a senior leader to head an Abu Dhabi based organisation of approximately 50 employees, with plans to double in size over the next two years. This is a high profile leadership role operating in a highly regulated environment, under sustained public scrutiny and with significant coordination across government. The successful Chief Executive Officer will lead the organisation th...
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  • 05.02.2026

    Associate Partner – Health and Life Sciences Public Affairs, London

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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 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...

    • 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, Corporate & Financial Communications, UK & 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...

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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