Our Experience in Recruitment & Executive Search
Executive & Specialist Search Experience
Selected assignments across commodities, shipping, executive appointments, financial markets and brokerage.
Our assignments range from individual specialist appointments to leadership searches, new desk launches and programmes involving several hires across different markets.
The examples below explain what clients needed, where we focused the search and what happened. They include searches where market feedback changed the original brief, where the right person was found overseas, and where one appointment developed into a broader hiring relationship.
Each reflects a particular commercial requirement: the products traded, customers served, regional relationships or leadership experience needed to do the job.
Client and candidate identities are withheld. Some details have been generalised to preserve confidentiality.
Explore Our Experience by Market
Agricultural Commodities
Oil & Energy
Metals & Mining
Shipping & Freight
Financial Markets
Derivatives & Brokerage
Selected Search Assignments
Specialist appointments, new trading desks and hiring across international markets.
The assignments below show how different commercial requirements shape a search. In one, market feedback changed the number of people needed to launch a desk. In another, a limited domestic talent pool led to an international appointment. Others involved building specialist research coverage or finding traders with the relationships and product knowledge needed for distinct regional markets.
Launching an Energy Options Brokerage Desk
Energy Options · London · Retained Search
The brief
A London brokerage wanted to appoint a leader to launch an energy options desk. The requirement combined relevant counterparty relationships with experience in execution brokerage, within a small talent market constrained by existing contractual commitments.
Our work
We mapped competing brokerages and specialist options houses, reviewed the target list with the client and approached suitable individuals directly. Market feedback indicated that launching with two complementary hires would provide broader initial coverage than appointing one person.
The outcome
The client adopted the revised approach. We placed the two individuals who launched the energy options desk together.
Appointing a US Battery Metals Trading Leader
Battery Metals · United States · Retained Search
The brief
A multi-asset trading house needed a senior appointment to establish a battery metals trading desk in the United States. The brief covered cobalt and lithium, with a small domestic pool of professionals whose experience could fit the requirement.
Our work
We considered established trading businesses alongside adjacent markets and battery recycling businesses where relevant commercial relationships might translate into the role. With limited availability in the US, we extended the search internationally to include candidates willing to relocate.
The outcome
We completed the appointment and relocated the selected individual from overseas to take up the US-based role.
Building Specialist Equity Research Coverage
Equity Research · Switzerland · Retained Search
The brief
A Swiss investment and research business wanted to expand its equity research capability. It needed analysts with detailed knowledge of particular industry sectors, making the relevant research specialism central to each appointment.
Our work
We searched competing research houses and investment funds for analysts whose sector coverage matched the requirements. Each hire called for its own assessment of relevant industry knowledge and equity research experience.
The outcome
The engagement developed into four completed appointments across different specialist research verticals, expanding the client’s analytical team.
Three Trading Appointments Across Regional Markets
Grains & Edible Oils · Asia Pacific & North Africa · Rolling Retainer
The brief
A grain production, trading and processing business wanted to expand its sales coverage across several country markets. The roles supported containerised and bulk trade in grains and edible oils.
Our work
Working through a rolling retainer, we approached each requirement around its particular combination of product experience, local customer relationships and language capability. The hiring programme covered three distinct markets, each requiring a trader with relevant commercial connections.
The outcome
We completed all three appointments, covering Australia, Thailand and North Africa.
The brief starts with a role. The search starts with the market.
Agricultural Commodities Search Experience
Selected appointments across agricultural trading, food businesses, commercial leadership and supporting functions.
Our agricultural assignments reflect different products, supply chains and business models. The examples below include launching trading desks, expanding product coverage, appointing senior leadership and recruiting the technology expertise supporting a feed and nutrition business.
Launching a US Edible Nuts Desk
Edible Nuts · United States
A global agricultural merchant engaged us to identify a trader to launch an edible nuts desk in the US domestic market. We mapped established competitors, refined the target list with the client and approached traders with relevant sourcing and sales relationships. The appointment was completed, and the business launched its US desk.
Adding Animal Feed Trading Capability
Animal Feed & Ingredients · London
A trading house wanted to add a product area compatible with its existing logistics and financing arrangements. We mapped adjacent agricultural markets and examined how the products were shipped and financed. The search identified an animal feed and ingredients trader with a relevant containerised product book, and we managed the process through to the completed appointment.
Two Complementary Dairy Trading Appointments
Dairy · United States
A dairy trading house wanted to expand its coverage of dry dairy products, including whey and powders. We searched competing trading businesses and relevant physical traders at larger firms, with particular attention to fit within a close-knit team. The process identified two candidates with complementary experience. Although the original requirement was for one person, the client appointed both.
Edible Oils & Oilseeds Desk Leadership
Edible Oils & Oilseeds · London · West African Market Coverage
An agricultural trading business establishing a London presence needed a desk head combining product expertise, West African market relationships and the ability to build a team. We searched major agricultural merchants and specialist businesses for the relevant commercial background and completed the appointment.
Deputy Chief Executive for a Food Business
Food Trading & Production · Thailand
A food trading and production business engaged us to appoint a deputy chief executive as part of its succession planning. We searched competing organisations and considered candidates willing to relocate, focusing on senior experience across food, seafood and meat markets. The appointment was completed in the deputy role, with the intended opportunity to learn the business before taking on wider responsibility.
Technology Leadership in Feed & Nutrition
Feed & Nutrition · London
A feed and nutrition supply-chain business engaged us to appoint its head of technology infrastructure. The role covered the technology stack and infrastructure supporting a growing business. We considered relevant competing organisations and completed the appointment.
Oil & Energy Search Experience
Selected appointments across energy trading, marine fuels, sourcing, finance and operational leadership.
Our energy assignments span commercial desks and the specialist functions supporting them. These examples include a proprietary trading appointment, leadership for a new regional office, coal sourcing, marine fuel testing and trade finance. Each search depended on a particular combination of product knowledge, market relationships and practical experience.
Marine Fuel Trading Leadership in Singapore
Bunkers & Marine Fuel · Singapore
A marine fuel business engaged us to appoint the leader of a new Singapore trading entity. We mapped local trading houses and physical suppliers, testing the brief through direct outreach. Market feedback showed that broadening the experience threshold would open up a larger relevant candidate pool. The client revised the requirement, and we completed the appointment.
LNG & Gas Proprietary Trading Appointment
LNG & Natural Gas · London
An oil trading house engaged us to recruit a proprietary trader for a new gas-related desk. We searched trading houses, funds and proprietary trading firms, with repeated screening conversations, references and supporting performance information central to assessing track records. As the search developed, the brief became more focused on LNG and JKM experience. The selected candidate joined the business.
Coal Sourcing Leadership for Indonesia
Coal · Singapore-Based Business · Indonesian Market Coverage
We recruited a head of coal sourcing for a Singapore-based business developing its Indonesian activity. The brief required established relationships with Indonesian mines and previous experience growing a team. We searched competing coal trading businesses and buyers of Indonesian product, identifying relevant sourcing and commercial experience and completing the appointment.
Head of Trade Finance for an Energy Trading House
Trade Finance · London
An energy trading house needed a head of trade finance to develop its banking relationships across the UK and Europe. The requirement combined experience within a bank’s trade finance business with subsequent experience inside a trading company, giving the individual an understanding of both sides of the relationship. We completed the appointment through a retained search.
Chief Operating Officer for a Dubai Office
Energy Trading · Dubai
An energy trading house engaged us to appoint a chief operating officer to support the establishment of its Dubai office. The role was intended to provide senior operational leadership during the relocation of part of the business and a subsequent local hiring programme. We searched competing Middle Eastern trading businesses and completed the appointment.
Marine Fuel Testing & Analysis Leadership
Bunkers & Marine Fuel · Singapore
A marine fuel business needed a head of testing and analysis with relevant laboratory experience and familiarity with bunker fuel testing equipment. The available talent pool was small. We searched specialist laboratories, analysis businesses and suppliers with in-house testing operations, using direct approaches to identify suitable candidates and complete the appointment.
Metals & Mining Search Experience
Selected searches and appointments across metals trading, specialist services and operational leadership.
Our metals assignments cover both commercial appointments and the expertise supporting physical trading businesses. These examples span establishing product coverage, recruiting operational leadership and developing specialist testing services. Each required a different combination of product knowledge, industry relationships and functional experience.
Establishing a US Ferroalloy Trading Desk
Ferroalloys · United States
A metals trading house engaged us to recruit a ferroalloy trader to establish a desk in the United States. The requirement combined relevant product experience with knowledge of the US market. We focused the retained search on competing businesses in the region and completed the appointment.
Adding Senior Aluminium Trading Capability
Aluminium · London
A non-ferrous metals trading house needed a senior trader to establish its aluminium coverage. The brief required product expertise and relevant commercial relationships. We searched specialist aluminium businesses, non-ferrous trading houses and adjacent firms through a retained process, completing the appointment.
Business Development in Precious Metals Testing
Platinum Group Metals & Gold · UK & Europe
A metals testing business needed a business development manager to introduce specialist testing services across platinum group metals and gold. We mapped banks, brokers, trading houses, testing businesses and adjacent markets. Salary research helped refine the experience profile, and we arranged interviews and managed the process through to a completed appointment.
Operations Leadership for a Metals Trading House
Non-Ferrous Metals · Dubai · African Trade Coverage
We appointed a head of operations for a metals trading house in Dubai. The role covered operations, traffic and contracts for a business with African export and Middle Eastern trading activity. We completed the appointment through a retained search and direct approaches to relevant professionals.
Executive Vice President of Zinc Trading Search
Zinc · United States
A metals merchant engaged us to recruit an executive vice president for a planned expansion of its zinc trading business. We mapped direct competitors and specialist US market participants, approaching senior professionals confidentially and progressing the search through the offer process. When the underlying business expansion did not proceed, the hiring requirement fell away. The assignment concluded with the search and viability assessment delivered, without an appointment.
Assessing a London Steel Scrap Trading Launch
Steel Scrap · London
An established commodity trading house engaged us to recruit a director for a proposed London steel scrap business. We mapped existing desks, arranged confidential conversations with relevant trading leaders and progressed into offer discussions. Following its assessment of hiring costs and market conditions, the client decided not to proceed. The search provided evidence to inform that decision and concluded without an appointment.
Shipping & Freight Search Experience
Selected appointments across chartering, shipbroking, freight derivatives and maritime business leadership.
Our shipping assignments span physical vessel markets, freight derivatives and the commercial and financial functions supporting maritime businesses. The examples below include opening a regional chartering desk, appointing specialist brokers, preparing for leadership succession and recruiting several commercial professionals from one market map.
Chartering Manager for a New Spanish Desk
Chartering · Spain
A shipowner engaged us to recruit a chartering manager for a new Spanish desk. The brief required local commercial relationships and experience managing a fleet’s chartering activity. The relevant talent market was small and difficult to reach through public information alone. We mapped competing owners in Iberia and used referrals and discreet approaches to identify suitable candidates, completing the appointment.
Gas Carrier Sale & Purchase Broker
Gas Carrier Shipbroking · Denmark · Japanese Market Coverage
A shipbrokerage needed a sale and purchase broker for its Danish business, supporting relationships with Japanese shipowners and other market participants. We mapped relevant businesses internationally, considering commercially focused candidates with an understanding of LPG and a willingness to relocate. The search resulted in a completed appointment.
Global Head of Freight Derivatives
Dry Freight Derivatives & FFAs · Global Remit
An interdealer broker engaged us to appoint a global leader for its dry freight derivatives brokerage business. The brief required FFA expertise alongside experience building and leading a desk. We mapped senior figures internationally and directly approached a longstanding industry contact whose background matched the requirement. We completed the leadership appointment, followed by a further junior hire into the team in London.
Senior Dry Bulk Shipbroker for Succession Planning
Dry Bulk Shipbroking · United States
A dry bulk shipbrokerage wanted to expand its commercial coverage while preparing for future desk leadership. The requirement combined fixing experience and established counterparty relationships with the ability to develop into a leadership role. We searched competing businesses and completed the senior broker appointment, with succession forming part of the longer-term brief.
Four Commercial Appointments for a Marine Platform
Maritime Platform Sales · London
A shipping business engaged us to recruit a commercial professional to sell its platform to maritime market participants. The brief required shipping knowledge and sales experience, alongside a wider objective of developing relationships for its bunker trading business. We mapped shipping services businesses and relevant competitors. The research identified several suitable candidates, and the engagement developed into four appointments to the same commercial role.
Chief Financial Officer for an Energy & Shipping Business
Energy Trading & Shipping · International Search
An energy trading and shipping business needed to replace its retiring chief financial officer while changing the geographic focus of its operations. The role combined finance leadership with substantial commercial and operational responsibility. We searched competing businesses internationally, including candidates willing to relocate, for experience spanning physical supply, trading and shipping. The search resulted in a completed CFO appointment.
Financial Markets Search Experience
Selected appointments across investment management, family offices, research, trading and compliance.
Our financial markets assignments span investment roles and the leadership, commercial and control functions supporting them. These examples include broadening an investment firm’s offering, establishing a family office, appointing compliance leadership and recruiting specialist trading and research expertise.
Senior Portfolio Manager for a Swiss Investment Firm
Asset Management & Equities · Switzerland
A Swiss investment firm engaged us to appoint a senior portfolio manager to broaden its product offering and develop investor relationships. We considered candidates combining strong analytical foundations and product knowledge with the commercial ability to develop new business. The appointment was completed, and the individual subsequently progressed to partner within the firm.
Leadership for a Family Office Launch
Family Office · Senior Leadership
We appointed a senior professional to establish a family office and develop its investment and fiduciary planning structure. The brief required previous experience leading a family office. We mapped single and multi-family offices and directly approached relevant senior individuals through a retained search, completing the appointment.
Compliance Leadership for an Investment Firm
Investment Management · London
An investment firm needed to replace its head of compliance while planning to broaden its asset-class coverage into commodities. The brief combined SMF16 and SMF17 responsibilities with experience relevant to investment clients, including funds, private banks and family offices. We searched comparable businesses and relevant compliance functions, completing the appointment.
Senior Relationship Manager for a London Launch
Corporate Relationships & Specialist Refinancing · London
An investment business engaged us to establish a senior relationship management capability in London. The role focused on developing corporate relationships for specialist refinancing activity. We completed the retained search and appointed a senior relationship manager to support that commercial requirement.
US Price Forecasting & Research Leadership
Agriculture, Soft Commodities & Metals · United States
A pricing and research business expanding into the United States needed a leader for its domestic forecasting capability. The requirement combined commodity analysis with experience communicating pricing or hedging information to commercial market participants. We completed the appointment, and the individual subsequently progressed into a broader US commercial leadership role.
Agricultural Proprietary Trading & Hedging
Commodity Derivatives · Miami
A trading house engaged us to recruit a derivatives trader for a new desk combining proprietary trading and internal hedging. Experience in illiquid agricultural markets was central to the requirement. We broadened the initial product focus to consider traders across soft commodities, completed the appointment and supported the launch of the desk.
Derivatives & Brokerage Search Experience
Selected appointments across commodity brokerage, listed futures and options, clearing, execution and institutional operations.
Our brokerage assignments cover both specialist commercial desks and the functions supporting institutional clients. These examples include establishing product coverage, appointing senior operational leadership and recruiting the sales and onboarding expertise needed within clearing and execution businesses.
Managing Director of Institutional Sales
Listed Futures & Options · New York
An FCM engaged us to appoint a managing director of institutional sales. The brief required relationships with funds, commodity trading advisers, banks and institutional investors, alongside experience in listed futures and options clearing and execution. We mapped competing FCMs, banking sales desks and relevant clearing businesses, approaching suitable candidates directly and completing the appointment.
Chief Operating Officer for an Institutional Brokerage
FCM & Institutional Brokerage · New York
We recruited a chief operating officer for an FCM’s institutional brokerage business in New York. With a limited local pool of available candidates, we extended the search internationally, considering relevant banking and brokerage backgrounds. The appointment was completed through the relocation of a candidate from London to the United States.
Regional Head of Institutional Onboarding
KYC & Onboarding · Listed Futures & Options · Miami
An FCM needed a regional leader for institutional account onboarding, combining customer-facing experience with KYC and anti-money-laundering expertise. The Miami location narrowed the available talent pool. We considered banks, brokerages, clearing businesses and potential relocators. The completed appointment came from a local regional bank, where the candidate had handled commodity and institutional clients.
Agricultural OTC & Structured Products Brokerage
Agricultural Derivatives · Dubai
A grain hedging and risk business engaged us to appoint a senior broker for its Middle Eastern expansion. The brief combined options, OTC structuring and commercial brokerage experience within a small specialist talent pool. We searched direct competitors and completed the appointment, supporting the establishment of the firm’s OTC and structured products capability in Dubai.
Ferrous & Iron Ore Derivatives Brokerage
Metals Derivatives · Dubai
An interdealer broker needed a specialist to establish ferrous and metals derivatives coverage in Dubai. The requirement combined product knowledge with relevant counterparty relationships and commercial brokerage experience. We searched established metals desks within a small specialist market and completed the appointment.
Environmental Markets Brokerage Appointment
Environmental Commodities · Houston
An established energy brokerage engaged us to recruit an environmental markets broker for a new Houston desk. The brief focused on relevant counterparty relationships and commercial brokerage experience. We completed the retained search and appointed a broker to support the new capability.
Advice Beyond the Appointment
Confidential referencing, market intelligence and advice that informs hiring decisions.
Some assignments help a client assess an individual or reconsider the hire itself. Our work can include discreet referencing, market mapping, salary benchmarking and testing whether a proposed appointment fits the business’s requirements.
Confidential Referencing for a Senior Investment Appointment
Investment Management · Standalone Referencing
A hedge fund engaged us to provide independent, standalone referencing support for a senior appointment. The work required detailed and discreet conversations within a closely connected market, keeping the client’s identity confidential throughout the process. We delivered the referencing engagement separately from the candidate search. This was a referencing assignment, rather than an Imperium placement.
Reassessing a Chief Executive Search
Agricultural Supply · Leadership & Succession
An agricultural supply business engaged us to search for a chief executive to lead succession and its next phase of growth. We conducted market mapping, salary benchmarking and a viability assessment, considering leaders from adjacent sectors. When the business’s plans changed during the process, we recommended considering the existing chief operating officer for the leadership role. The external search concluded without a hire, with our advice reflecting the revised needs of the business.
Discuss Your Next Appointment
A specialist hire, a new desk or a wider hiring programme.
Tell us what the business needs to achieve, where the role sits and which experience or relationships matter. We can discuss the relevant talent market, the practical constraints and how to structure the search.
For confidential requirements, we can keep the initial discussion at a broad level before agreeing what can be shared.
