Executive Search

Human Intelligence comes to the fore in our Search offerings. We draw upon our experience within life science and leverage a network of connections built exclusively in the industries that matter to you.

Executive search and board appointments in Life Sciences

Executive and board‑level appointments shape the strategic direction, culture and long‑term performance of a life sciences organisation. These decisions demand discretion, rigour and sound judgement, not speed for speed’s sake.

RBW Consulting provides retained executive search services exclusively for the life sciences industry, supporting organisations across the United States, Europe, and the UK. We partner with Boards, investors and senior leadership teams to identify and secure individuals who can navigate complexity, inspire confidence and deliver sustained impact.

Our executive search approach is deliberately considered, research‑led and relationship‑based, designed for situations where the risk of getting it wrong is too great to compromise.

Executive search, built for life sciences leadership

Senior leadership in life sciences requires a rare combination of attributes. Candidates must bring technical and sector credibility, understand highly regulated environments, and operate effectively through uncertainty, growth and change.

Because RBW operates exclusively within life sciences, our executive search consultants understand the challenges leaders face across the full product and company lifecycle from early development through to commercialisation, transformation and exit.

We conduct retained executive search across:

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations
Medical devices and diagnostics
CROs and CDMOs
Healthcare communications and consultancy partners
Venture‑backed and private equity‑backed businesses

Our mandates typically span regional and global leadership roles, where influence, judgement and alignment with organisational values matter as much as experience.

Executive and board appointments

Retained search for business‑critical leadership roles

Our Executive & Board Search service is designed for business‑critical appointments where skills are scarce and the impact of the role extends beyond a single function.

This includes:

C‑suite and executive committee roles
Board and non‑executive appointments
Regional and global functional leadership
Transformation and turnaround leadership

Each search is delivered on a retained basis, reflecting the depth of research, market engagement and assessment required.

A retained executive search with RBW Consulting includes:

Detailed role and stakeholder alignment at the outset
Global or regional market mapping and talent pooling
Discreet, targeted candidate engagement
Structured assessment against technical, strategic and cultural criteria
A considered shortlist of candidates who are aligned to both role and organisation
Ongoing candidate engagement and management through to offer and onboarding
Guidance to ensure alignment between candidate ambition, organisational context and cultural fit

The result is a clear, evidence‑based view of the leadership market and a shortlist of individuals capable of delivering at the required level.

Advisory support alongside search

In some situations, executive hiring decisions sit within a broader period of change; whether that is scaling, restructuring, preparing for investment or navigating market uncertainty.

Alongside executive search, RBW Consulting provides advisory support grounded in real market insight, not theory.

We work with clients to:

Sense‑check leadership structures and capability gaps
Provide insight into leadership market availability and trends
Support succession and long‑term leadership planning
Advise on leadership‑led team design and capability planning

Where specialist expertise sits outside our in‑house capability, we draw on a trusted network of professional services partners across areas such as commercial strategy, market access, funding, M&A and change management.

Our focus is always on practical outcomes, not reports for their own sake.

A global search footprint grounded in real delivery

RBW Consulting delivers executive search mandates across Europe and the United States, with experience supporting organisations in:

The UK and major European life sciences hubs
The United States, across both coasts and key biotech clusters
Selected global markets aligned to programme and investment activity

Our experience spans executive and board appointments across regional and global structures, allowing us to engage senior talent credibly across markets while remaining sensitive to local dynamics and expectations.

Whether you are:

Appointing first‑time leadership as you scale
Strengthening an existing executive team
Making a board‑level appointment
Planning succession for a critical role

We act as a long‑term, trusted partner throughout the process.

Why organisations choose RBW for executive search

Clients partner with RBW Consulting for executive search because we bring focus, discretion and credibility to senior hiring decisions.

What sets us apart:

Life sciences exclusive focus, with no generalist dilution
Retained, research‑led methodology, aligned to senior risk
Established leadership networks built over long-term sector engagement spanning 20 years
Skilled, consultative approach to candidate evaluation, ensuring fit beyond experience grounded in Deep Listening
Thoughtful, advisory‑led approach, not transactional search
Values‑driven delivery, grounded in purpose, trust and partnership
Dedicated, experienced delivery teams aligned to each retained search

We approach executive search with the seriousness it deserves, ensuring leadership appointments are made with clarity, confidence and long‑term intent.

Let's talk

If you are considering an executive or board‑level appointment within your life sciences organisation, we would welcome a confidential conversation. Our role is simple: to help you make leadership decisions that stand up over time.