Board & C-Suite Executive Search: Retained, Consultative, Strategic


Proof of Candidate™


Built and refined over four decades, our deep industry knowledge, unparalleled experience and global networks mean that we have access to and advice from the very best people in the industry. Our unique Proof of Candidate™ due diligence approach gives you data-driven decision support and comparative analysis of the best candidates. Our services span a wide range of roles and sectors, from pharma CEO recruitment to life science interim search to biotech board placement.

With our extensive industry knowledge, we are your trusted advisors in the life sciences, pharma, biopharma and biotech executive search process. Our work with you begins by listening, understanding, and testing your brief so that we can advise you on the best solutions.


    Listen, Research, Create

    We listen intently so that we have a deep understanding of your needs and can advise you and candidates effectively with our research and insights into industry trends. As an experienced executive search group, we’ll help you to create an engaging and accurate brief that truly represents your organisation, the challenge, opportunity and the role.

    Search, Engage, Connect

    We search, identify, assess and engage international talent with an open mind and with creativity, searching in the less obvious pools of talent to find the best leaders for our clients. We have connections with leading candidates across a wide range of senior roles, such as CEOs, COOs, CFOs and directors in pharma, biotech, and the life sciences. After in-depth profiling and comparative due diligence of leading talent, we will connect you to only the best candidates.

    Trust, Quality, Success

    We become trusted advisors by demonstrating our knowledge and building authentic relationships. Our stringent quality assurance process means that we can support and challenge candidates pre- and post-placement. Over 90% of our candidates are still in their role or promoted 24 months after appointment.

    Contact Us

    Speak to our experts to find out how we can help you here.

Retained Executive Search: Case Studies



Case Study

Chief Investment Officer for The Hevolution Foundation

The RSA Group was appointed to find a Chief Investment Officer for The Hevolution Foundation. The organisation required an established and respected investor to launch and lead their new venture capital fund.

    “RSA’s ability to access and engage the best CEO candidates was critical to the success of this search and to its completion within our timeframe. The candidates on the final shortlist were all of high quality which made for a competitive final selection.”


    Moncef Slaoui, Chairman of Clasado

    “I have worked successfully with RSA in senior level recruitment in life sciences. I would recommend RSA for their approach to, and services for, executive search in the life sciences.”


    Sir Richard Sykes, Chairman of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the UK Stem Cell Foundation, PDS Biotechnology Corp, the Royal Institution of Great Britain and NetScientific plc

    “I have known Nick Stephens and the RSA Group for many years, since my time as Head of GSK’s Center for Cognitive and Neurodegenerative Disorders in Biopolis, from 2005 to the end of 2009. I have known Nick and other members of the RSA Group to be talented, highly energetic and very effective. They are a group with Western roots, but a clear focus on Asia that predates that of most other life science recruitment firms. My interactions with them have been consistently positive.”


    Dr Tetsu Maruyama, Chief Scientific Advisor Dementia Discovery Fund & Former Corporate Officer / Former Senior VP, Head of Pharmaceutical Research Division Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd Fujisawa, Japan

    “In my role as CSO at Immunocore Ltd, I was involved in a search for a SVP role to bridge a research and strategic function. The approach of the RSA team was, compared to my experiences with many searches over the years, uniquely well considered. The RSA team spent the time and had the ability to understand all the aspects, technical and human, required in this role, and the resulting shortlist reflected the high quality of the approach.”


    Dr Bent Jakobsen, Chief Scientific Officer at Immunocore Ltd

    “I don’t know how RSA manages it, but RSA always finds the right candidate.”


    Holger Montag, Country Head at Micro Labs (Pharma) GmbH