Business Details
36 Years
experience
Global Executive Recruitment Experts
Established over three decades ago, Ashwood Associates has built a reputation as a trusted partner in identifying and placing executive talent globally. Our approach combines the strategic reach of larger firms with the meticulous attention to detail characteristic of boutique consultancies. We specialise in permanent and interim leadership placements, with particular expertise in commercial, digital, marketing, R&D, and operations functions across sectors including consumer goods, industrial, and media. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is embedded in every search, supported by market mapping and talent analytics. With offices in London, New York, and Johannesburg, we deliver cross-cultural insights and access to hard-to-source candidates in over 25 countries.Our team of consultants, many with blue-chip corporate backgrounds, provides tailored solutions for complex leadership challenges. Client testimonials highlight our ability to understand organisational culture and deliver candidates who align with both functional requirements and strategic vision. We maintain long-term partnerships through transparent communication and a focus on post-placement success. Our research-driven methodology ensures clients gain access to high-potential leaders equipped to drive transformation and sustainable growth.
Services
Executive Search
Interim Management
Diversity Consultancy
Market Mapping
Candidate Coaching
HR Strategy
Leadership Assessment
Global Talent Analytics
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in international executive search.
- Our team operates in 25+ countries with multilingual consultants.
- We combine market mapping with diversity-focused recruitment strategies.
- Our consultants hold advanced degrees from institutions like Cambridge and INSEAD.
- We guarantee post-placement support for candidate integration success.
What people say
Exceptional international market knowledge
Excellent shortlists presented promptly
Strong cultural fit candidates
Added value beyond recruitment
Proven leadership skills in placements
Services
Executive Search
We identify C-suite and senior executives through global market mapping and targeted research. Our process prioritises cultural alignment alongside functional expertise, ensuring leaders drive organisational transformation. Clients benefit from 30+ years of cross-sector experience and a network spanning 25 countries.
Interim Management
Our interim executives provide strategic continuity during organisational change. With access to experienced professionals across industries, we deliver rapid placements for crisis management, restructuring, or capability gaps. Clients gain flexible solutions without compromising leadership quality.
Diversity Consultancy
We help organisations build inclusive leadership teams through data-driven diversity strategies. Our consultants provide benchmarking against industry standards and implement best practices for sustainable cultural change across global operations.
Market Mapping
Our proprietary market mapping identifies leadership pipelines and competitive talent landscapes. This service provides actionable insights into candidate availability, competitor strategies, and emerging leadership trends across 25+ countries and multiple sectors.
Candidate Coaching
We support executives through career transitions with tailored coaching. Our services include interview preparation, salary negotiation, and strategic career planning, leveraging deep market knowledge to enhance professional progression.
People
Steve Marley
CEO
Founder with 30+ years' experience in executive search, specialising in global leadership placements. Former Mars Group sales graduate, now leading Ashwood's strategic direction and complex assignments across four continents.
Ros Banks
Managing Director
Consumer sector specialist with 15+ years at Ashwood. Leads board-level appointments in commercial and operations functions. Former graduate of top-tier search firms with expertise in FMCG and retail leadership recruitment.
Janey Heller
Global Head of Research
Cambridge and INSEAD-qualified strategist with blue-chip and agency experience. Oversees global research operations, combining FMCG, healthcare, and technology sector insights to identify high-potential leadership candidates.
Ellen Williams
Global Account Director
Legal graduate with decade-long executive search experience. Specialises in FMCG leadership placements, leveraging boutique firm expertise to deliver creative and digital transformation leaders across Europe and North America.
Questions
What industries does Ashwood specialise in?
We focus on consumer goods, industrial, media, and FMCG sectors with expertise in commercial, digital, and R&D leadership roles.
Do you operate outside Europe?
Yes, we have offices in New York and Johannesburg, delivering placements in 25+ countries across EMEA, Americas, and Asia.
How do you ensure cultural fit?
Our process includes detailed organisational culture assessments and post-placement candidate research to guarantee alignment with company values.
Can you handle urgent leadership vacancies?
Our interim management service provides rapid placements for urgent requirements, supported by a global network of experienced executives.
What diversity initiatives do you offer?
We provide market benchmarking, inclusive leadership training, and targeted recruitment strategies to enhance boardroom diversity and inclusion.
