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Executive Search
Access top-tier real estate leaders through GKR International’s executive search and C-Suite recruitment service.
Securing leadership that drives performance:
In real estate, senior hires shape more than teams; they shape strategy, performance, and growth. A strong Head of Residential, Investment Director, or Managing Director can transform revenue, culture, and operational efficiency.
At GKR International, our Executive Search service is tailored for property and real estate businesses that require discretion, rigour, and genuine sector expertise. This is targeted leadership acquisition; we deliver leadership that aligns with your market ambitions, business strategy, and culture.
Executive Search is ideal when:
- The role is strategic or business-critical
- Talent pools are competitive or niche
- Confidentiality matters for internal or market reasons
- Cultural alignment is as important as technical ability
- Mis-hires would have a material impact on revenue, growth, or reputation
Whether you’re scaling, entering a new market, or preparing for acquisition, these hires need a targeted approach.
The process:
We start by understanding your business objectives, growth plans, team structure, and market positioning. The aim is to define the ideal leadership profile, not just the role.
Using our deep property network, we identify both active and passive candidates. From top-performing competitors to adjacent sectors, we headhunt discreetly for the best fit.
Candidates are assessed for commercial impact, sector knowledge, leadership capability, and cultural fit. Shortlists are selective, tested, and ready for informed decision-making.
We manage the offer process, counter-offers, and onboarding guidance to ensure a smooth transition. Our goal is long-term success, not just placement.
How can we help?
We specialise in senior property and real estate appointments, including:
- Managing Directors & Regional Directors
- Heads of Residential / Lettings
- Investment & Development Directors
- Finance Directors / CFOs
- Property Management Heads
- Board & Advisory roles
Our clients encompass a broad range of specialisms and verticles within the real estate sector; they include independent agencies, multi-branch operators, property developers, and institutional investors.
Our clients
Why choose GKR:
Executive Search is sensitive. All searches are managed discreetly by our team, protecting your strategy and market position. We are property specialists with decades of sector experience working first-hand within the industry. This means:
- We understand revenue drivers and operational pressures
- We speak the same language as candidates and clients
- We advise on market benchmarks, structure, and culture
- We bring credibility to every conversation
We view every search as a long-term partnership, ensuring your senior hires deliver immediate impact and sustainable growth.
Common Questions
With a proven track record in executive search within real, we bring expertise to successfully place leaders in key executive roles, aligning with your organisational vision. Read our Case Studies to learn more.
Through in-depth consultations, we tailor our executive search to align candidates with your company's unique needs, culture, and strategic goals, ensuring a perfect fit.
Our executive search services stand out due to our in-house industry expertise, personalised approach, and commitment to finding the perfect fit for both clients and candidates. With a 100% success rate, our retained business partnerships benefit from a seamless service.
We offer comprehensive support, including interview preparation, negotiation assistance, and onboarding guidance. Our goal is to facilitate a seamless transition into your new executive role.
While timelines may differ, our primary objective is efficiency. Generally, the executive placement process spans two to six months, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of opportunities and a smooth integration into executive careers.
Get in contact:
Head of Build to Rent - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the CEO to lead the search for a Head of BTR to lead a portfolio of award-winning developments.
- We worked closely with the client to assist them with the preparation of job descriptions and shared our market knowledge to ensure they competitively positioned themselves to attract the best talent.
- We then went to the market and presented our client with a shortlist of 5 candidates within one week of instruction, and coordinated three rounds of interviews.
- The successful candidate was onboarded three months later following their notice period.
Fast-growing Estate Agency
Portfolio Director - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the Head of Residential, JLL UK&I to secure Senior Portfolio Director on behalf of several of their BTR clients.
- Having conducted a market-mapping exercise with the client, they identified a shortlist of individuals for GKR to approach on their behalf.
- We successfully presented a shortlist of seven selected individuals and organised four first and second-stage interviews.
- The successful candidate was required to conduct a 6-month notice period; we supported JLL by offering our first-class aftercare services to ensure a smooth exit and onboarding.
International Real Estate Fund
Head of Sales - Exclusive Search
- GKR was asked to discreetly search for a Head of Sales for one of the most recognisable Agencies in London
- Due to the confidential nature of this search, approaches and conversations on behalf of the Client needed to be very targeted.
- Working in conjunction with the Talent Acquisition Team, GKR introduced a number of Candidates, along with internal considerations too.
- GKR successfully placed the Head of Sales, who was a long-term contact of the business, previously being a Hiring Client in their previous businesses.
International Residential Property Specialist
Business Development Manager - Exclusive Search
- GKR was exclusively instructed by Alliance Investments, to appoint a Business Development Manager for their growing London team.
- Alliance Investments is a leading property development company who offer investment opportunities throughout the UK.
- Headquartered in Manchester, Directors, Mallam Grant and Josh Steeples had the opportunity to grow a team to be based in the London office. Their first requirement was to appoint a Business Development Manager. Having struggled to find the right candidate through another recruitment agency, Alliance turned to GKR and proceeded dealings with Senior Consultant, Michael Cartmill.
- After gaining a comprehensive understanding of exactly what Alliance were seeking, we successfully placed a candidate within under three weeks of being instructed.
- Fast forward 4 months and it has proven to be a perfect match for both client and candidate as they thrive together.
Leading Property Development Company
Head of Sales - Retained Search
- GKR was retained to hire a Head of Sales on behalf of Solomon Investment Partners in their Chester Office.
- We worked closely with them to ensure they could attract a likeminded individual to strengthen their focus within the Property Investment Market.
- GKR provided a shortlist of recommended industry professionals curated via our referral network; a final candidate was selected following the second round of interviews.
- Due to a short notice period, the candidate was able to onboard swiftly and effectively having made some great progress already.
Fast-growing Property Investment Consultancy
Head of Residential/HR Manager - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the Head of Residential/HR Manager of Northacre to secure a Completions Manager for their Broadway and no1 Palace Street luxury developments.
- Speaking through the requirements in detail with the HR Manager, we were instructed exclusively on the role looking to build on our previous success in placing a Lettings Manager.
- The talent pool was relatively small we successfully presented a shortlist of 3 selected individuals and organised first and second-stage interviews, the search was concluded quickly.
- The successful candidate was immediately available and started one week after being offered the job fulfilling the urgent need for this hire.
Leading Premium Property Developer
We specialise in five key sectors
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Commercial
The commercial team provide permanent and contract services to leading property and construction consultancies in the Private & Public Sectors as well as developers, banks and funds.
Read more.
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Residential
With experienced consultants and ex-property professionals in one team, they are market experts working with High Street Agents, Corporate giants, Developers and Investment Agencies.
Read more.
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Property Management
With first-hand experience in the field, we represent estate agencies, managing agents, private investment portfolios, commercial mixed-use developments, facilities services, student accommodation providers, and investment funds, supplying expert property management professionals tailored to their specific needs.
Read more.
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Built Environment
The team have worked hard to develop long standing relationships with practices ranging in size, niche and specialism throughout the design and build industry delivering both permanent and professional interim/contract solutions.
Read more.
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Professional Services
We recruit professionals in finance, legal, compliance, advisory, administration, and sustainability for estate agencies, managing agents, private portfolios, commercial developments, student housing, and investment funds.
Read more.
Head of Asset Management: Retained
- GKR was retained to assist with the search for a new Head of Asset Management.
- We were given a 10-week timeline to onboard the new starter in line with the predecessor's departure date, whilst offering a period for handover.
- We were tasked with a direct, pre-identified headhunt and additionally sourced a shortlist of three other suitable candidates.
- Having coordinated interviews for all candidates, the successful candidate was onboarded following their 2 months’ notice.
- We have subsequently placed two others from the interview process into the team.
Global Property Consultancy
Head of Acquisition – Retained Search
- GKR were retained with special mandate to secure a Head of Acquisition for a high growth private equity backed commerce business that had significant land requirement.
- Due to the nature of the business this presented a unique challenge in securing talent that would move away from tradition acquisition roles.
- We set out a process structure including personality testing with the successful candidate moving from a developer and embarking on the journey the client and GKR had laid out.
Commercial Business
Meet the executive search team:
Anu Deb
Tastefully designed with sophisticated interior features.
Anu joined GKR in 2014 with an ambition to expand GKR's business support recruitment services; coming from property herself, Anu grasped the responsibility quickly and now works with the industry's biggest and most successful property brands. With a family history in catering, it’s no wonder Anu is also quite the chef herself!
Grant Kaveney
Boasting an enviable position and state-of-the-art outdoor braai.
Back in 2010, after successfully scaling a recruitment business from South Africa, Grant launched GKR to transform the property recruitment landscape. When he’s not building the business, you’ll find him fishing, cheering on Liverpool, or proudly flying the South African flag. Oh, and did we mention he’s a surprisingly talented beatboxer?
Rose Lock
Offering extremely quick connections and an exceptional energy rating.
Rose joined GKR in 2018, having worked in property in both the UK and Spain over the last 20 years. Her tenacious attitude has driven fantastic results quickly as she has expanded our property management network. Rose is an OG vegetarian with the wildest office-snack combinations you will ever have heard of.
Lee Riley
A perfect example of period property with luxuriously fitted carpets.
After working in the property sector for almost seven years himself, Lee joined GKR in 2015 to support the growth of our residential department. He’s a self-declared Asian food addict, historically pooch-obsessed, with his very own fur-baby.
Alessandra Susanna
Energetic, versatile, and built to go the distance.
Alessandra joined GKR with 18 months of recruitment experience and a background in Psychology, bringing a people-first approach to Property Management and Office Support recruitment. Based in Johannesburg, she’s known for her energy, empathy, and love of a challenge. When she’s not recruiting, you’ll likely find her chasing a view, a gin bar, or planning a dinner with the cast of The Vampire Diaries.
Peter Wallis
Impressive views across London following an upper-floor extension.
Peter joined our business support recruitment team in 2019, taking on the responsibility and growth of all marketing needs within the real estate sector. When not chasing recruitment fees, he’s most likely chasing gains, or his newest addition to the family!
Michael Woda
Distinctive features throughout and striking white render.
Michael joined GKR as one of our first key hires in 2014, bringing eight years’ experience in property working for leading residential agencies in London. If not in the office hoping for a hole-in-one, you’ll likely find him on the course – aye! Michael launched our Edinburgh office in 2024, and is now recruiting across the North West UK market.
