Membership & Professional Body Recruitment

Membership & Professional Body Recruitment

We support membership organisations, professional bodies, trade associations, umbrella and federated non-profit organisations through executive recruitment, board recruitment and interim leadership.

Leadership in membership organisations

Membership organisations exist to bring people together around a shared profession, purpose or interest. They support members through education, advocacy, professional standards, networking, policy and representation while helping shape the future of society.

Expectations continue to evolve. Organisations are strengthening digital services, responding to changing member needs, growing commercial income and demonstrating their value in an increasingly competitive landscape. Many are also navigating changes in regulation, governance and workforce expectations.

Leadership plays a central role in balancing these priorities. The most effective leaders understand how to engage members, build partnerships and develop organisations that remain relevant, financially sustainable and trusted.

We work with membership organisations across the UK to recruit leaders who can respond to these challenges while supporting long-term organisational success.

Trusted by organisations across the sector

Our work in membership & professional bodies

We support professional bodies, chartered institutes, trade associations, membership charities, royal colleges, learned societies, umbrella bodies and sector networks across the UK.

We have deep-rooted relationships with leaders across the membership landscape, from chief executives, chairs and trustees to specialists in membership, learning, standards, policy, public affairs, digital, data, commercial and corporate services. These relationships help us reach people who may not be actively looking, but who bring the judgement, values and experience organisations need.

We take time to understand your members, your purpose, your operating model and the leadership challenge behind the appointment. This helps us look beyond the obvious and established networks and identify people who can make a meaningful contribution from day one. We engage people with the skills, experience and perspective needed for the role, while ensuring candidates and clients feel informed and supported throughout the process.

Areas we support

We work with organisations across the membership sector, including:

  • Professional bodies
  • Chartered institutes
  • Trade associations
  • Royal colleges
  • Membership charities
  • Learned societies
  • Accreditation, standards and regulatory organisations
  • Sector representative bodies
  • National Governing Bodies
  • Umbrella bodies
  • Federations
  • Co-operatives

How we support organisations in this sector

Executive Recruitment

We recruit chief executives, directors, senior and specialists leaders who can strengthen member value, guide organisational change and help membership organisations remain relevant and financially sustainable.

Learn more about our Executive Recruitment

Board Recruitment

We help organisations appoint chairs, trustees, non-executive directors and committee members who bring strategic oversight, inclusive governance, constructive challenge and a clear understanding of both independent and member-led decision-making.

Learn more about Board Recruitment

Interim Leadership

We recruit experienced interim leaders who can bring stability, pace and confidence during periods of transition. This might include transformation, governance change, leadership gaps, digital programmes, income diversification or a renewed focus on member engagement.

Learn more about Interim Leadership

Roles we recruit

Membership organisations need leaders who can support members, influence policy, uphold standards, deliver services and build sustainable operating models. Alongside chief executive and board appointments, we regularly recruit functional leaders who strengthen engagement, governance, commercial confidence and long-term organisational impact.

Roles we recruit

Executive leadership

  • Chief Executives
  • Chief Operating Officers
  • Executive Directors
  • Directors
  • Managing Directors

Functional leadership

  • Finance and Corporate Services
  • Operations and Services
  • People, Culture & Organisational Development
  • Membership & Engagement
  • Education & Professional Development
  • Policy & Public Affairs
  • Marketing & Communications
  • Partnerships & Business Development
  • AI, Digital, Data & Technology

Governance leadership

  • Chairs
  • Trustees
  • Non-Executive Directors
  • Independent Board Members
  • Committee Chairs
  • Committee Members

Selected track record

Leadership appointments

AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Commercial Director
Air Ambulances UK Interim Chief Executive Officer
Association for Project Management Head of Education & Lifelong Learning, Head of Public Affairs, and Head of Technology
BioIndustry Association Associate Director of Membership & Business Development
British Psychoanalytic Council Chief Executive Officer
British Retail Consortium Membership Director
Certsure Managing Director, Independent Chair, Commercial Director, Finance Director, Head of Delivery and Operations, Head of Product Development
Chartered Institute of Building Head of Innovation, Head of Environmental Sustainability, Head of Client Development
Chartered Management Institute Head of Product Innovation
CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) Chief Operating Officer

Board appointments

ACEVO Chair
Association of Mental Health Providers Chair
British Pharmacological Society Chair and Non-Executive Directors - BPS Assessment
British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Lay Trustees x3
Chartered Insurance Institute Non-Executive Directors, Committee Chairs & Committee Members
CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) Chair
CIPFA Independent Board Member
College of General Dentistry Independent Board Members x2
GS1 UK Chair
Helplines Partnership Chair

Meet the team

Kristina Preston

Kristina Preston

Director | Awarding, Assessment & Professional Education

James Hunt

James Hunt

Director | Membership & Development

Rajia Alam

Rajia Alam

Principal Consultant | Awarding, Assessment & Professional Education

Polly Mortimer

Polly Mortimer

Senior Consultant | Awarding, Assessment & Professional Education

Case studies

View all
Case study: Chair and Non-Executive Director Recruitment | BPS Assessment Ltd

Case study: Chair and Non-Executive Director Recruitment | BPS Assessment Ltd

Learn more
Case study: Chief Executive Officer Recruitment | British Taekwondo

Case study: Chief Executive Officer Recruitment | British Taekwondo

Learn more
Case study: Lay Trustee Recruitment | British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS)

Case study: Lay Trustee Recruitment | British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS)

Learn more
Case study: Leading GS1 UK through transformation

Case study: Leading GS1 UK through transformation

Learn more

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Let's work together

Whether you're appointing a chief executive, strengthening your board or recruiting specialist or interim leadership for your membership organisation, we'd be happy to talk through what your organisation needs.