A Different Kind of Search Firm

DES is a retained executive search firm. We partner closely with our clients to help them attract exceptional candidates, primarily in the financial services and alternative asset management marketplace.

Our work is bespoke to each mandate. As a trusted advisor, we know our clients’ organizations intimately and help solve their toughest mandates together. It’s all part of our more innovative approach.

There is no “bait & switch” at DES. Adam makes the calls, assesses the candidates and negotiates the close.

We come from top-tier search, investment banking and professional services firms. Given our relationships with senior industry leaders on Bay Street and beyond, our clients and candidates view us as peers, allowing us to establish credibility and solve searches quickly.

Most importantly, we have a proven track record in placing top candidates at market-leading firms, with Adam leading, executing and closing all searches.

To avoid conflicts and thereby offer clients the greatest possible number of candidates, we only advise a single client in a given industry at any one time.

This approach to exclusivity creates a true client partnership and also speeds up the “time-to-close,” as we avoid the typical “off-limits” constraints that would otherwise limit the slate of candidates. This client-centric philosophy is unique in the industry and has helped DES build deep relationships with long-term, exclusive client agreements.

Our consultant team’s boutique model is distinguished by its industry specialization, greater access to talent and manageable search loads.

Our progressive style and tenacity help to identify exceptional senior leadership talent for our clients.

DES’s thorough competency-based assessments evaluate candidates’ leadership capabilities & potential.

Beyond this, we look for unique talent since we believe that a candidate’s personal motivation & inner drivers help define them as leaders who stand apart.