A Specialist UHNW Recruitment Agency
Eagle Private recruits senior professionals for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and private offices across London and key international markets. We manage discreet appointments where professional capability, judgement and personal fit are equally important, including roles that sit outside a formal family office structure.
Given the discreet nature of these appointments, we place considerable weight on our own network of established candidates and contacts, developed over years of specialist experience, to identify the right individuals with speed and confidence.
Senior Recruitment for UHNW Principals
Not every UHNW principal operates through a formal family office. Many require senior, trusted professionals working directly alongside them, whether they are a founder who has recently exited, an international family managing multiple residences and interests, or a high-profile individual who needs people around them they can rely on completely. For a closer look at what working for a UHNW principal is really like, read our blog piece.
We work with principals directly, with their advisors, and with those managing private offices on their behalf. The appointment may involve one hire or several. The brief is often clear, but occasionally it is not and helping to define it is part of what we do.
The Roles We Recruit
We place across a wide range of senior functions within UHNW private structures:
- Chief of Staff and Private Office Director
- Chief Financial Officer and senior finance professionals
- Chief Investment Officer and investment leadership
- General Counsel and legal advisors
- Operations Directors and senior Executive Assistants
- Estate Directors and senior household management
For household and personal staffing, we work alongside our sister company Cora, giving clients access to a complete service across both professional and private functions.
Case Studies - Recent Senior Placements into Family Offices
Chief Investment Officer | Singapore | Chinese Family Office
A Chinese family office in Singapore required a CIO to institutionalise its investment approach and oversee a growing global portfolio.
We led an international search across Asia, Europe, and the US, drawing on our existing network alongside targeted outreach to candidates from sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and established family offices with Mandarin fluency and cross-border expertise. We also advised on the role design and governance structure.
The appointed CIO implemented formal investment processes, diversified the portfolio, and introduced robust reporting. Within 18 months, the family achieved stronger risk adjusted returns and significantly improved transparency and decision-making.
Legal Counsel | Central London | Single Family Office
A Central London single family office required an in-house Legal Counsel to reduce reliance on external firms and support a complex portfolio of investments and structures.
We defined a hybrid Legal Counsel role spanning corporate, private client and transactional work and conducted a targeted search within several top tier law firms. The successful candidate brought strong UHNW advisory experience and commercial acumen.
The new placement reduced external legal costs, improved responsiveness on transactions and strengthened governance.
Chief Financial Officer | Dubai | Single Family Office
A Dubai based single family office needed a CFO to bring structure to a diverse portfolio of operating businesses, real estate and private investments.
We conducted an international search across the GCC and Europe, tapping our existing network as well as candidates with multi-entity oversight and family office/investment experience.
The appointed CFO implemented consolidated reporting, budgeting, and financial controls across entities. This provided the family with clear visibility on performance and cash flow, improved governance, and enabled more strategic capital allocation and investment decision making.
Why These Appointments Are Different
A strong CV is a starting point. The professionals who succeed in UHNW and family office environments combine technical depth with qualities that are harder to assess: sound judgement, absolute discretion and the ability to read a situation without being told everything.
Proximity to a principal changes the nature of the role. Decisions move quickly, priorities shift, and the scope of the job can extend well beyond the original brief. We take time to understand the working environment before we begin a search, because finding someone who fits the role is only part of the challenge.
Izzy Boland, Eagle Private director observes: “The very nature of a single family office is the creation of a team to work with a very individual set of criteria. Every SFO is managing a different portfolio of assets, both liquid and illiquid, and also a very individual lifestyle. A full understanding and also knowledge of the Principal themselves, makes the recruitment process speedier and more effective, as we can drill down on the specifics.”
That depth of understanding is what separates a placement from a true fit.
A Discreet and Focused Search
We work on a retained basis. Searches are conducted confidentially, without advertising mandates publicly unless specifically agreed with the client.
Our process: understand the principal and the real requirements of the role; agree the search parameters and confidentiality approach; identify candidates through our network and direct approach; assess capability, judgement and personal fit and present a focused shortlist. We are involved at every stage, not just the beginning and the end.
Where We Work
Eagle Private operates primarily across London, New York, Dubai and Singapore. Many UHNW appointments have an international dimension, travel requirements, multiple residences, or candidates who need to relocate.
Discuss a Confidential Appointment
If you are considering a senior appointment for a principal, family or private office, speak to Eagle Private in confidence. We are happy to discuss the role, the environment and whether we are the right firm to help.