About
The right leader matters. What happens after they join matters more.
Outcome-led executive search across AI infrastructure, Data and Cloud in the US and EMEA, with half our fee contingent on year-one leadership performance.
That experience shaped a simple view: finding the right person is rarely the hard part. Making sure they succeed once they're in the role is where most search firms stop, and where Third Circle Partners starts.
I work with growth-stage and investor-backed technology companies - typically those building across AI infrastructure, data platforms and next-generation cloud. These are technically complex businesses scaling fast, where leadership decisions carry real weight.
Third Circle Partners was built to be the kind of search partner I'd want if I were on the other side of the table.
Built around outcomes, not activity
Most executive search is optimised for filling a role. The fee lands, the candidate starts, and the relationship ends.
I built Third Circle Partners differently because I've seen too many good hires fail in the first year - not because of the person, but because no one stayed close enough to help them land properly.
A significant portion of our fees are tied to milestones during a leader's first year. It keeps us aligned with your success, not just the placement. And it means I stay closely engaged long after the hire is made.
We're deliberately narrow in focus and senior in mandate. I work with a small number of companies at any one time - which means the work gets proper attention, not just a process.
Meet the Founder
Before founding Third Circle Partners, John co-founded neuco - growing it from the ground up into a 25+ person global search firm. He also served as a Board Member at Ovyo, helping shape its journey through to acquisition.
Across 15+ years in executive search, John has worked directly with founders, CEOs and investors on some of the most complex leadership hires in technology - across AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, data and enterprise software - in 60+ countries.
John also hosts "Fail, to Win" - a podcast dedicated to real stories from leaders who've hit the wall and found a way through.
Alignment Drives Outcomes
De-risking leadership hiring requires more than process.
It requires commercial alignment, accountability beyond start dates and experienced judgement.
All three are built within our model.
Financial Alignment
Half of our fee remains contingent on the appointed leader delivering agreed year-one outcomes. Our economics are directly tied to their performance in role, not simply the appointment.
Year-One Accountability
Our Impact and Integration Framework spans a structured 12-month period following appointment. Milestones remain visible, progress is reviewed and alignment is maintained beyond start date.
Founder-Led Partnership
You work directly with an experienced executive search partner from mandate through to year-one review. Judgement, calibration and stakeholder alignment remain personal throughout.
Most search firms are built around transactions.
We're built aroundoutcomes.
Half our fee depends on how your leader performs
Choosing your next leader is hard enough.
Choosing your search partner shouldn’t be.