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Building the Teams That Shape Tomorrow

For over 15 years, we've been the trusted recruitment partner for organizations that refuse to settle for anything less than extraordinary.

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Our Story

From Boutique Firm to Global Partner

Crescendo Talent was founded in 2008 by Eleanor Marsh and David Okafor — two former executive search consultants who believed the industry needed a more human, more rigorous approach to connecting talent with opportunity.

What began as a two-person operation in a London townhouse has grown into a global firm with offices across four continents. But our philosophy hasn't changed: every placement should be a catalyst for transformation — for the individual and the organization alike.

Today, we serve over 340 enterprise clients across 16 industries, with a 98% first-year retention rate that speaks to the depth of our process and the quality of our matches.

Eleanor Marsh

Eleanor Marsh

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

What Drives Us

Our Core Values

These principles guide every search, every conversation, and every placement we make.

Radical Transparency

We believe trust is built through openness — with clients and candidates alike. No hidden agendas, no surprises.

Relentless Standards

We present fewer candidates — but every one has been rigorously vetted through our multi-stage assessment framework.

Human-First Approach

Behind every CV is a person with ambitions, fears, and potential. We honor that in every interaction we have.

Lasting Impact

We measure success not at placement, but twelve months later — when both the leader and the organization are thriving.

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Successful Placements

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Enterprise Clients

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Countries Served

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Client Satisfaction

Our Journey

Key Milestones

A decade and a half of growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

2008

Founded in London

Eleanor Marsh and David Okafor launch Crescendo Talent from a townhouse in Mayfair, focusing on financial services executive search.

2012

New York Office Opens

Expansion into the US market with a dedicated technology and private equity practice, doubling headcount within 18 months.

2015

1,000th Placement

Reached the milestone of 1,000 successful executive placements, with a 96% first-year retention rate across all engagements.

2018

Asia-Pacific Launch

Opened offices in Singapore and Hong Kong, establishing a dedicated practice for healthcare and life sciences across the APAC region.

2021

RPO Division Established

Launched a full-service Recruitment Process Outsourcing division, partnering with high-growth companies to build entire teams.

2024

10,000+ Placements

Surpassed 10,000 career-defining placements globally, recognized by Forbes as a Top 20 Executive Search Firm for the third consecutive year.

Our Team

Leadership Team

Experienced operators and industry veterans who bring deep expertise and genuine passion to every engagement.

Eleanor Marsh

Eleanor Marsh

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

20+ years in executive search. Former Partner at Spencer Stuart. Oxford MBA.

David Okafor

David Okafor

Co-Founder & CEO

Former Managing Director at Korn Ferry. Specialist in PE-backed leadership transitions. Harvard MBA.

Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen

Head of APAC

15 years across Singapore and Hong Kong markets. Deep expertise in healthcare and fintech leadership.

James Whitfield

James Whitfield

Chief Strategy Officer

Former McKinsey engagement leader. Drives RPO growth and operational excellence across all regions.

Global Reach

Present Where It Matters

With offices in major financial and technology hubs worldwide, we combine local market intelligence with global search capability — ensuring no exceptional leader goes unnoticed.

London
New York
Singapore
Hong Kong
Dubai
San Francisco
Zurich
Sydney
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Life at Crescendo

Our Culture

We practice what we preach — building a team that's as exceptional as the talent we place for our clients.

Team workshop Collaborative Workshops
Team meeting Strategy Sessions
Office social Team Socials
Modern workspace Modern Spaces
Client presentation Client Partnerships

Join the Crescendo Network

Whether you're seeking your next leadership role or building a world-class team, we'd love to start the conversation.

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