CEO & Board Search for UK Listed and Investor-Backed Companies in Transition
We advise boards, founders and investors on critical leadership appointments during moments that matter — succession, transformation, and capital events.Blackline works with UK quoted (Main Market & AIM) and investor-backed businesses to appoint CEOs, CFOs and non-executive directors.Our focus is simple: high-stakes situations where leadership quality directly impacts value — exits, turnarounds, scaling phases, and post-acquisition integration.We operate with a small number of mandates at any time, working directly with boards and shareholders to deliver outcomes, not process.
CEO Search* CEO succession and replacement
* First-time CEO appointments
* Transformation and turnaround hiresBoard & NED Search* Independent non-executive directors
* Chairs and committee roles
* Governance build-out for listed and AIM companiesCFO & Key Leadership* CFO hires ahead of exit or refinancing
* COO / divisional leadership for scale phases
* Planned or unplanned CEO succession
* Private equity investment or exit preparation
* AIM listing or public market transition
* Underperformance or turnaround situations
* Post-acquisition integration
We run a disciplined, high-touch search process:* Direct board and investor alignment upfront
* Targeted market mapping (not database-driven)
* Discreet outreach to proven operators
* Rigorous assessment against the specific situation
* Close management through offer and completion
* Focus on transition situations, not volume hiring
* Direct senior-led execution on every mandate
* Commercial understanding of M&A, capital structures and investor priorities
* Discreet, relationship-led approach