Expert Guidance for Your Next Executive Hire

Aruba Exec, headquartered in London, is an internationally acclaimed boutique technology executive search firm renowned for its exceptional expertise and tailored approach in hiring executives for clients.

We specialise in assisting technology companies across the UK, EMEA, and the US by addressing their most critical executive recruitment challenges. 

Our success lies in leveraging cutting-edge, data-driven executive search methodologies that enable us to identify and secure high-performance C-suite executives who drive innovation and growth. 

With a deep understanding of the tech industry landscape and a commitment to excellence, Aruba Exec consistently delivers top-tier leadership talent that aligns perfectly with our clients’ strategic goals and corporate culture.

Our boutique executive search service offers a truly high-touch experience throughout every stage of the process, emphasizing personal, relationship-driven interactions that foster long-lasting connections. Many of our candidates eventually become recruiting clients themselves, which speaks volumes about the level of trust and satisfaction we cultivate. 

Richard Crossman, our CEO and Executive Search Director, personally reviews and responds to all candidate registrations as well as every client inquiry, ensuring a consistent and attentive approach. He also takes the lead in delivering all search mandates, providing hands-on guidance and expertise in every assignment.

We are frequently told by clients and candidates alike that our personalized service and outstanding results far exceed those provided by large, big-brand executive search firms. These larger firms are often limited by numerous 'hands-off' restrictions that constrain where and how they can conduct their searches. 

In contrast, clients come to us because of our unique process, rigorous methodology, and especially our innovative ETAR System, which grants them access to a pool of candidates unavailable through traditional executive search channels. This combination of deep personal engagement, proven techniques, and proprietary technology enables us to consistently deliver superior outcomes for both clients and candidates alike.

Our mission is to consistently deliver exceptional service to our customers by providing a high-touch, personalised executive search service led by our Chief Headhunter. We enhance our clients' careers by helping them attract, recruit and retain high-performing board, C-suite, and executive talent, while our candidates leverage our expertise and industry insights to discover and access exceptional C-suite and board-level opportunities.

Integrity - Aruba Exec operates with the highest levels of integrity and this commitment is intrinsic to our business and means anyone we connect with can be assured the utmost confidentiality.

Respect - We treat our client partners, candidates and employees with uncompromising respect. We take our role very seriously and are fully aware that this is a people process whose outcome impacts lives and careers.

Commitment - We are committed to excellence in all that we do and we ensure that we are efficient, effective & successful in the delivery of the executive search services we provide.

Communication - We communicate openly and honestly with all those with whom we work. We tell it how it is! Candidates & Clients know our reputation & know we don’t waste time. They engage with us.

Personal - All clients and candidates work with our Executive Headhunter and CEO, Richard, who delivers a highly personalised service, acting as one point of contact through all search processes.

Passion - We are passionate about world-class executive recruitment delivery and seek to surpass expectations with energy & drive, committing to the ambitions of our clients and candidates.

Aruba was established in 2009 by Richard Crossman, with the primary focus of creating a highly specialized executive search practice that delivers a personal, boutique service to clients on a global scale. Our approach is centered around an agile, innovative, and technology-driven Executive Talent Acquisition & Retention (ETAR™) System. This unique system has enabled us to consistently achieve an outstanding success rate of over 99% in the placement of CxO, VP, and Director level roles. By doing so, we effectively de-risk the investment for our technology clients in executive search, ensuring they secure top-tier leadership talent with confidence.

Our deep domain expertise allows us to successfully partner with organizations to address their most critical hiring needs. The highly experienced executive search team at Aruba has cultivated extensive relationships across a wide range of technology domains and business functions. This network, combined with our strategic approach, enables us to identify, attract, and retain exceptional executive talent who drive business growth and innovation. Through these capabilities, Aruba continues to set the standard for executive search excellence within the technology sector and beyond.

At Aruba Exec, we strongly believe that a diverse and inclusive leadership team—a "balanced leadership team"—empowers our clients to build a better world where both people and organizations can grow, thrive, and succeed.

You can read about Aruba Exec's diversity & inclusion commitment here.

We specialize in recruiting for high-level executive positions including C-Suite, Vice President (VP), and Director level roles across a wide range of business functions. Some of the key positions we focus on include Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Sales Vice Presidents (Sales VPs), Chief Digital Officers (CDOs), Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Chief Growth Officers (CGOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), and Chief Information Officers (CIOs). 

Over the years, we have developed extensive and well-established talent pools consisting of highly qualified candidates for numerous board-level roles. This strong network enables us to effectively attract and place top-tier executive talent across multiple regions including the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. 

For a comprehensive overview of the various types of C-suite roles we specialize in and cover extensively, you can view the detailed list here

With our international headquarters strategically located in London, UK, we specialize in attracting and recruiting high-caliber executives for technology companies not only across the UK but also throughout Europe and the United States. 

Our extensive reach and expertise have enabled us to successfully complete executive searches in diverse regions, extending as far east as Dubai and the broader UAE, and as far west as the US west coast, including major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. 

We are committed to continuously building and maintaining robust C-Suite, Vice President, and Director-level executive talent pools. These talent pools are meticulously tailored to meet both the current and anticipated future search demands of our clients. Our focus remains firmly on identifying and engaging with the top 15% of executive candidates available in the marketplace, ensuring that we deliver exceptional leadership talent that drives innovation and growth for technology companies globally.

You can view some of the recent searches completed along with geographical locations here.

If your company is based in the UK, Europe or in the US, get in touch to see where we can help you.

Since 2009, we have proudly maintained an exceptional success record exceeding 99%, demonstrating our consistent ability to deliver outstanding results for our clients. Over the past three years alone, our referral rate has impressively reached 78%, reflecting the high level of satisfaction and trust that our clients place in our services. Additionally, we boast a remarkable 98% retention rate, meaning that candidates placed by our clients remain with their organizations for more than three years, underscoring the quality and longevity of our placements.

In comparison, the executive search industry typically experiences an average delivery success rate of circa 64%, which highlights the superior performance and dedication that sets us apart from many other firms in the market. We are selective about the searches we undertake; we do not accept every opportunity that comes our way. Instead, we focus on partnering with organizations that share our core values and ambitious vision, ensuring a strong alignment and successful collaboration.

Furthermore, all of our placements come with an industry-leading one-year guarantee, providing our clients with added confidence and peace of mind. Our commitment extends beyond simply making a placement; we prioritize retention and long-term success. By focusing on both finding the right candidate and supporting their continued growth within the organization, we aim to create sustainable partnerships that benefit both our clients and the professionals they hire.

In order to successfully achieve our joint objectives and deliver the best possible outcomes, we will utilise a comprehensive and broad range of advanced search techniques tailored specifically to your needs. Additionally, we will dedicate a significant number of highly skilled resources and expert personnel to your assignment to ensure thoroughness and precision throughout the process. 

Richard Crossman, our experienced Executive Search Director, will take the lead on your assignment, serving as your primary focal point and single-point of contact at every stage. This approach guarantees clear communication, seamless coordination, and consistent updates from start to finish. You can find more detailed information about Richard and his professional background here. 

You can also read about Richard's 27 year career history in search on his LinkedIn profile.

Our clients are typically high-growth technology companies or firms that, while operating in different sectors, have technology at the very core of their business, product, or service offerings. These companies rely heavily on innovation and cutting-edge technological solutions to drive their growth and maintain competitive advantages in their respective markets. 

At our core, we specialize in attracting executive talent across a wide range of tech-focused sectors, covering more than 20 distinct technology domains. These include—but are certainly not limited to—Agritech, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Biotechnology, Cleantech, Climatetech, Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity, Digital Technologies, Edtech, Fintech, Greentech, Healthtech, Insurtech, Information Technology (IT), Martech, Medtech, Proptech, Software as a Service (SaaS), Telecommunications, and Traveltech.

Beyond these specific areas, we also attract exceptional talent from outside these traditional tech sectors. Many candidates bring diverse and multifaceted skill sets that are highly transferable across industries and often add unique perspectives and innovative problem-solving abilities. This broad approach allows us to source executive talent that is not only technically proficient but also adaptable and capable of thriving in various dynamic and evolving business environments.

Our approach typically takes an average of six weeks to deliver a carefully curated candidate shortlist. We usually start by evaluating a few thousand potential candidates and then narrow this down to provide a highly focused shortlist of 3-5 top candidates for each search. 

Our method employs inbound digital strategies that specifically target passive candidates, which enables us to gain exclusive access to world-class C-Suite executives, VPs, and directors who might not be actively looking for new roles but are highly sought after due to their expertise and leadership qualities. 

We pride ourselves on offering candidates who are not actively seeking opportunities but possess exceptional prestige, alongside those who are actively pursuing new roles. This is achieved through our comprehensive "Whole Market, No Stone Unturned" approach for each search, ensuring that we leave no potential candidate unexplored and provide our clients with the very best talent available in the market.

We specialize in providing exceptional support to a diverse range of businesses, including scale-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), larger corporations, public limited companies (PLCs), as well as private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC)-backed technology ventures. Our expertise spans across key regions such as the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. We focus on addressing and resolving critical executive recruitment challenges that these organizations face in their growth journeys.

Approximately 80% of our client portfolio is made up of tech-focused organizations that fall within the scale-up and SME categories. These companies are often characterized by their dynamic growth trajectories and innovative approaches. The remaining 20% of our clients consist of larger, more established tech organizations, which are typically headquartered in the UK, EMEA, or the US.

Our clients predominantly operate in fast-moving, agile environments that demand quick decision-making and adaptability. They thrive in entrepreneurial settings where speed and efficiency are crucial for success. We understand the unique pressures and requirements of these environments, allowing us to tailor our recruitment solutions to meet their specific needs effectively.

We have completed a time and motion study of our executive search services to deliver a highly competitive fee structure. 

Our retained search services typically provide significant cost savings, often amounting to approximately 60% less than the standard industry fees that are commonly charged by many of our competitors. This substantial reduction in cost does not come at the expense of quality or service, as we strive to deliver exceptional value and results for our clients. 

For more detailed information, personalised assistance, or any specific inquiries regarding our pricing structure and service offerings, please feel free to contact Richard directly. He will be more than happy to provide you with comprehensive insights and answer any questions you may have.

For more details, please contact Richard directly. He can be reached at richard@arubaexec.com

We offer a comprehensive 1-year guarantee commencing from the candidate's official start date. Should the candidate leave their role within the initial 12 months of their tenure, we commit to conducting a new search at no additional cost to you. 

Our dedication extends beyond simply placing candidates; we prioritize long-term retention and ensuring that the selected individual is a strong fit for your organization, contributing to sustained success and stability.

You are welcome to visit our dedicated testimonials page, where you can read a variety of reviews and feedback from a selection of our satisfied clients. These testimonials highlight their experiences and the positive outcomes they achieved by working with us.

Additionally, since you will be collaborating directly with Richard throughout the process, you might find it helpful to check out some of the testimonials and endorsements on his professional LinkedIn profile as well. These firsthand accounts provide valuable insights into his expertise, work ethic, and the successful projects he has been involved in.

You can view our privacy policy here.

The majority of the Board, C Suite, and Vice President level searches that we manage across the UK, EMEA, and US regions are highly confidential and therefore not publicly listed or displayed on our website. These exclusive executive search assignments are handled with the utmost discretion to protect the privacy of both our clients and candidates. 

However, if you are interested in exploring available opportunities, you can find a selection of currently advertised positions on our dedicated job board, where we regularly update the latest openings that are open for applications.

Our candidate registration only takes 2-3 minutes to complete. Please take the time to fill out your details as it will help maximise the number of executive career opportunities we can bring to your attention.

You can request a copy of our brochure here, or feel free to ask further questions by messaging us by visiting our contact page.