Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Global Executive Search Experts
Established in 1973, Bench International stands as the longest-serving woman-founded global executive search firm. Specialising in biotech, healthcare, and life sciences leadership, we combine 50 years of industry expertise with a proprietary Bank of Inclusion framework to deliver transformative leadership solutions. Our unique performance model aligns fees with project milestones, ensuring client success through executive search, board services, and talent mapping. With a 95% retention rate among long-term partners and a 50-year legacy of placing industry pioneers, we maintain offices in London, New York, San Francisco, and Switzerland.Our technology-driven approach, led by the Bench International Technology Team (BITT), delivers candidates within 2-5 weeks while maintaining rigorous quality standards. We champion diversity and inclusion through custom talent pipelines and strategic gap analysis, serving clients across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and emerging healthcare technologies. Our executive team, led by Founder DeeDee DeMan, combines deep sector knowledge with a commitment to client-centric service delivery.
Services
Executive Search
Board Services
Talent Mapping
Gap Analysis
Interim Talent
Leadership Consulting
CEO Succession Planning
Diversity Recruitment
Technology Recruitment
Life Sciences Search
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- We offer 50 years of specialist experience in life sciences executive search
- Our proprietary Bank of Inclusion framework ensures diverse talent pipelines
- We deliver candidates within 2-5 weeks of search initiation
- Our fee structure aligns with project performance milestones
- We maintain a 95% retention rate among long-term clients
What people say
Life-changing placements
Exceptional candidate care
50 years expertise
Diverse talent pipelines
Strategic leadership
Services
Executive Search
Specialist recruitment for senior leadership roles in biotech and life sciences sectors. Our executive search service identifies C-suite executives, board members, and specialist professionals through global networks. We combine industry expertise with proprietary technology to deliver candidates matched to strategic requirements.
Board Services
Comprehensive board development solutions including director recruitment and performance assessment. Our board services create high-performing governance structures through diverse candidate pipelines. We specialise in building boards that drive organisational success in healthcare and life sciences sectors.
Talent Mapping
Strategic talent pipeline development for future leadership needs. Talent mapping identifies potential candidates across biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Our approach combines market intelligence with succession planning to anticipate organisational requirements.
Gap Analysis
Strategic assessment of current leadership capabilities against future objectives. Our gap analysis identifies succession planning requirements and leadership development opportunities. The service provides actionable roadmaps for organisational readiness in life sciences sectors.
Interim Talent
Provision of experienced professionals for critical interim leadership roles. Our interim talent service maintains organisational continuity during transitions. We supply executives with specialist expertise in biotech and healthcare sectors for defined project periods.
People
DeeDee DeMan
Founder, Chairman & CEO
DeeDee DeMan established Bench International in 1973, pioneering women-led executive search in life sciences. With 50 years' experience, she developed the Bank of Inclusion framework and proprietary performance model that define the firm's approach to leadership recruitment.
Dr. Thomas Stroh
Global Head of Biotechnology
Dr. Thomas Stroh leads biotechnology sector recruitment with 25+ years' industry experience. His expertise spans gene therapy and genomic leadership placements, supported by extensive networks in emerging biotech markets across North America and Europe.
Questions
What sectors does Bench International specialise in?
We focus exclusively on biotechnology, healthcare, and life sciences sectors globally.
How does your performance-based fee structure work?
Our fees align with project milestones, ensuring commitment to successful placements and client satisfaction.
What is the Bank of Inclusion framework?
Our proprietary framework cultivates diverse, high-impact talent pipelines for leadership roles.
How quickly can you deliver candidates?
We typically deliver qualified candidates within 2-5 weeks of search initiation.
Do you offer interim leadership solutions?
Yes, we provide interim executives for critical leadership roles during organisational transitions.
What geographic regions do you cover?
We operate globally with offices in London, New York, San Francisco, and Switzerland.
