Most active executive search firms in the Nordics, 2026

Founded in Stockholm in 1967, Mercuri Urval is a global executive search and talent advisory firm working with more than 3,000 clients across 60+ countries. It advertised 99 senior roles in Sweden in H1 2026, more than any other firm, with 65 percent of its advertised roles at senior level.

Human Capital is a Swedish executive search and interim firm recruiting managers and specialists in tech, IT and engineering across the public and private sectors, and a finalist for Executive Search Company of the Year at the 2026 Recruitment Awards. It advertised 76 senior roles in H1 2026, second-most in Sweden.

SAM International brings more than 30 years of search, executive search and assessment experience across Europe, present in over 14 countries. It advertised 26 senior roles in Sweden in H1 2026, with 37 percent of its output at senior level.

Part of Pion Group, Poolia Executive Search recruits CEOs, CFOs and management-group members across the private and public sectors, and placed 71 leaders in 2023. In H1 2026 it was Sweden's most executive-focused firm: 95 percent of the roles it advertised were senior appointments.

Founded in Gothenburg in 2007, Maquire has completed nearly 2,000 executive search and management assignments for clients ranging from PE-backed and listed companies to startups and owner-led businesses. In H1 2026, 92 percent of its advertised roles were senior, second-highest in Sweden.

CIP Global Executive Search specialises in international retail and FMCG recruitment from its Stockholm base, with over 20 years of management and board-level work. In H1 2026, 80 percent of the roles it advertised were senior.

Founded in 2002, Assessit is one of Scandinavia's leading executive search and organizational development firms, with offices across Norway, Sweden and Denmark, assessing around 1,000 managers a year. It advertised 36 senior roles in Norway in H1 2026, more than any other firm, with 51 percent at senior level.

Part of the LHH/Adecco Group, Badenoch + Clark has recruited senior professionals in Norway since 1978 across accountancy, legal, banking, business change and HR. It advertised 27 senior roles in H1 2026, second-most in Norway.

Founded in Oslo in 2004, BackerSkeie provides executive search, board recruitment and management assessment as a premium partner in a global platform spanning more than 100 cities. In H1 2026 it was Norway's most executive-focused firm, with 85 percent of its advertised roles at senior level.

Founded in 2004 and part of IIC Partners, Visindi has been rated Norway's largest executive search firm every year since 2015, with 38 consultants across Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen and Stavanger. In H1 2026, 83 percent of the roles it advertised were senior.

Founded in 2008, InHunt Group is Finland's largest headhunting company, with more than 40 headhunters across eight regional offices and its own network spanning 29 countries. It was Finland's most active executive-focused search firm in H1 2026, advertising 47 senior roles, 46 percent of its total.