Edinburgh executive search firms tie knot with £2 million income goal

Bosses at New Town Partnership and Hanover Berkeley, both headquartered in Edinburgh and with London offices, said the tie-up would deliver significant growth in fee income over the next 12 to 18 months. Initial discussions about joining forces took place three years ago and the combined entity - New Town Hanover - will formally launch this month.

The four partners - Jane Gilchrist and Louise Gibson from New Town Partnership and Paul Dixon and Chris O’Brien from Hanover Berkeley - are said to collectively bring together decades of experience, helping to develop leadership teams and C-suite talent across a range of business sectors.

Gilchrist said: “Both parties were well aware of each other and the considerable reputations our respective firms had built up over the last ten years. We are very much partner-led, offering a personal and client focused approach.

“This merger will also allow us to launch a new strategic advisory service, offering wider support to our clients as they develop and transition their leadership and board teams, expanding our ability to target new sectors beyond our current areas of recognised expertise.”

Key sectors earmarked for growth include financial and professional services, renewables, health-tech, infrastructure and data centres.

Dixon said: “We are merging deep sector knowledge with generalist capabilities and the diversity of our leadership team is a great strength going forward. The new partnership combines our shared values focusing on long lasting relationships and our trusted adviser reputation.

“Both our businesses have enjoyed year on year growth over the last decade and we aim to build on this success,” he added. “Over the next couple of years, we will be aiming to grow our own headcount and we will also be looking at further expansion opportunities with like-minded businesses.”

Income is forecast to reach £2m by the end of 2026.