The right leader changes everything.
We find CEOs, board members, and C-suite executives for companies that can't afford to get it wrong.
Performance-based executive search with 98% success rate · Results in 9–10 weeks · Active in 60+ countries
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Performance-based executive search with 98% success rate · Results in 9–10 weeks · Active in 60+ countries 〰️
Most executive searches end at placement. Ours doesn't.
The average CEO tenure in Finland has been shrinking for over a decade. Companies hire leaders — and then leave them to sink or swim.
We do things differently. Every leader we place gets 6–9 months of structured coaching and support through our Leadership Performance Program — so they hit the ground running, succeed, stay, and grow your business.
You don't just get a great hire. You get a leader who performs.
Our mission is to make Finland a land of extraordinary leaders. One assignment at a time.
Passion for sustainable leadership.
Chief is a value-driven boutique executive search firm with an international soul, located in Helsinki city center. We exist to improve the business results of our clients. Our team has a strong track of executing over 800 demanding CEO, Board, and executive team assignments successfully since 2011.
The new Chief in town.
As our name ‘Chief’ indicates, our focus and best expertise is in CEO, Board, and C-suite assignments. Generally, and strategically significant roles above €100.000 in annual compensation are within our scope.
For good.
We define our success not by the number of placements but by the results and impacts of the work of both us and our clients. Sustainable leadership both makes the world a better place and enables long-term success.
Three ways we help you get leadership right.
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Executive Search + Leadership Performance Program
We find the best candidates on the market — not just the ones who happen to be looking. Then we help you select the right one and coach the placed leader through their first 6–9 months. Better onboarding. Better results. Guaranteed.
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Board Services
Board Audit, Board Search, Board Development. We help boards move from rubber-stamping to real impact. Are you ready to build a board that helps you build a bulletproof business for the future and moves the needle?
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Management Audit & Leadership Assessment
Not sure if your current leadership team is built for what's next? We assess, benchmark, and give you a clear picture — with a plan.
People are at the heart of executive search.
We work relentlessly to provide an outstanding experience and value to our clients and candidates. While our work is highly confidential by nature, we thrive to improve and push the whole industry forward.
We search the whole market. Not just our contacts.
Most search firms rely on their network. We map the entire candidate market — every relevant person at every relevant company — before we make a single call. That means you see the best options, not just the available ones.
Our selection process combines rigorous performance-based hiring methodology with systematic, multidisciplinary, and competence-based leadership assessment against the contextual competencies needed to lead in your company, industry, and specific situation.
So goodbye generic leadership frameworks and assessments done in a vacuum.
When we place someone, we don't disappear. Our Leadership Performance Program (LPP) is included in every search. It's 6–9 months of research-based coaching that accelerates onboarding and improves leadership effectiveness from day one.
Let’s make sure your new leader gets the best possible start.
Average salary of placed leaders: €185,000
Success rate: 98% meet or exceed client expectations
Typical timeline: 9–10 weeks from kick-off to placement
Sample assignments
Board Chair
Private Equity backed growth company
CEO
Stock-listed professional services company
CFO
Construction company
CEO
Stock-listed IT company
CPO
Global SaaS company
CIO
Telecommunications
CCO
Energy sector
Board Member
Healthcare
Our expertise.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & DIGITALISATION
Different growth stages set changing and increasing demands to the leadership competence. Chief’s signature expertise is in helping the fastest growing tech and software, especially SaaS, companies in the Nordics to find leaders that can successfully navigate the company to the next stage of growth through funding rounds, and towards IPO or other type of the exit. We’ve hired and coached several successful tech CEOs and other executives, as well as CIOs and CDOs for non-tech firms that thrive to stay ahead of the competition.
INDUSTRY & MANUFACTURING
Industrial companies are the cornerstone of the economy. In the ever-increasing global competition, the winning companies innovate continuously, modernise their operations and streamline their production. All this requires talent. Growing demands from clients set the bar even higher when it comes to account management and digital services. We’ve helped several stock-listed Nordic industry and manufacturing companies in finding new leaders for demanding roles outside the obvious sources.
ENERGY & UTILITIES
The energy and utilities sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by sustainability goals, regulatory changes, and digitalisation. As companies shift towards renewable energy, smart grids, and new business models, leadership requirements are evolving rapidly. Success in this field demands executives who can balance operational excellence with innovation and long-term strategic vision.
We have worked with energy companies, utilities, and infrastructure firms to identify leaders who can navigate the complexities of the transition towards greener and more efficient energy solutions. Whether it’s securing talent for renewable energy initiatives, grid modernisation, or digital transformation in utilities, we understand the leadership capabilities required to drive growth and resilience in this dynamic industry.
BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE
The development towards energy effective and carbon-neutral economy, increasing productivity, and acquiring and developing talent: these are the 3 main trends and challenges for the building, construction, and real estate industry in the 2020s. The trends are interrelated, as the right talent boosts productivity and helps in modernising the operations. Turbulence in society increases the demand for strategic thinking and visionary leadership. Those who think and act ahead of others are the winners of tomorrow.
PRIVATE EQUITY & VENTURE CAPITAL
New ownership changes the game in any company. Private Equity and Venture Capital investors essentially look for passionate and talented entrepreneurs and winning teams that can make the company achieve extraordinary success. We have designed a full investment lifecycle service offering for leading VC and PE investors that want to get the best possible return on their investments, from Due Diligence all the way to the successful exit. Having Chief to support your portfolio company, you can sleep calm through the nights.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
In the fast-evolving world of professional services, true leadership is the defining factor between staying relevant and leading the industry. Firms must continuously adapt to technological disruption, shifting client demands, and new business models—all while maintaining the trust and expertise that set them apart.
At Chief, we specialize in identifying and developing the visionary leaders who drive this transformation. We understand that success in professional services requires more than just technical excellence—it demands strategic foresight, business acumen, and the ability to foster a high-performance, collaborative culture. With a proven track record of placing top executives in professional services firms, we don’t just find leaders—we help shape the future of the industry.
Our Principles.
TRANSPARENCY
You'll always know exactly what's happening and what's next. No chasing us for updates.
DILIGENCE
We map the full market. Every step is designed to add value.
INTEGRITY
If your need isn't our best fit, we'll tell you — and point you in the right direction.
DIVERSITY
The strongest candidate wins. We search across all backgrounds, genders, and experience levels.
Ready to find your next leader?
The conversation costs nothing. The wrong hire costs everything.
Get in touch with our team.
Töölönkatu 4 (Kuparitalo)
00100, Helsinki, Finland
Chief – Executive Search Helsinki Oy