Sectors & disciplines
Specialist knowledge & experience
Strong record in five sectors
McLean has dedicated expert teams covering five sectors (see below), with an enduring record of delivery in each. In all five sector practices, we have core clients who’ve partnered with us for over a decade. For example, we’ve helped one investment bank appoint over 100 senior people in the last 10 years.
All teams provide executive search, interim, and board and advisory services internationally. Appointments include:
- Board level – chairs, senior independent directors, non-executive directors, and advisers
- Executives – CEO, CFO, CIO, COO, CMO, CPO
- Senior management and specialist hires
- Technical experts and front office in financial services
Our search process is built on an unrivalled understanding of the markets we serve. We don’t just fill roles, we partner strategically with clients to help identify leaders who strive for long-term success.”
John Widdowson, Partner
Financial Services - Public Markets
Our specialist areas
- Investment banking equities & advisory
- Active fund management – investors and distribution
- Family offices
- Executive management & divisional leadership
Financial Services - Private Markets
Our experts help clients achieve their growth agendas through executive search, strategic introductions, and connections with capital sources. Our broad skills and knowledge in this sector bring clarity to complex markets. And our wide networks – spanning the UK, Ireland, EMEA and the US – enable us to deliver the highest calibre appointments . Our team members focus exclusively on real assets, or on private equity markets across sectors; and we work with our clients’ teams, and with the businesses they own, to provide support across their portfolios.
Our specialist areas
- Private equity
- Institutional capital
- Family offices
- Venture capital
Industrials
McLean supports a wide range of industrial sectors, with an outstanding record of helping clients evaluate and recruit best-in-class leaders across major geographies. We’re known for objectively diagnosing and solving recruitment challenges using our in-depth technical expertise and proven experience in managing complex industrial projects. In addition to long-term appointments, the team is well-equipped to support clients with time critical transitions and transformations.
Our specialist areas
- Automotive, transport & logistics
- Aerospace & defence
- Engineering, construction & building materials
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- HVAC
Consumer Markets
Our team has extensive experience in helping clients appoint leaders and board advisers in e-commerce, consumer healthcare, and hospitality – including hotels, travel, leisure, and quick service restaurants. We understand the importance of aligning leadership with brand identity, consumer values, and business goals; and these principles guide every project. We’ve a consistent international record, including in developed and emerging economies, and are renowned for thinking laterally to find and deliver the best talent every time.
Our specialist areas
- Retail
- E-commerce
- Hospitality
- Healthcare
- Leisure
- Fast moving consumer goods
- Sports apparel
- Luxury goods
Higher Education, Research & Innovation
We help recruit senior executive, non-executive, academic and research leaders across higher education and research organisations globally. Our Partners’ expertise covers roles such as vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, dean, research director, and specialist academic; as well as specialists in finance, technology, commercial, property, marketing, HR and business change. This unique dual structure enables us to deliver transformational appointments in permanent and interim roles.
Our specialist areas
- Universities
- Research institutes
- Research & Technology Organisations (RTOs)
- Research / Innovation led Companies
- Research funding charities and foundations