TheexecutivesearchpartnerforFinTech&SaaScompanies.
Every hiring decision either compounds or dilutes organisational capability. We help you compound it.
Olive Search is an operator-led executive search advisory for ambitious FinTech, SaaS and AI scale-ups.
We partner with founders, boards and leadership teams to secure exceptional talent — from senior individual contributors through to Heads of, Directors, VPs and C-Suite — the people who build and scale market-defining companies.
We combine deep operator experience, AI-driven market intelligence and access to a 2m+ monthly social media views to unlock talent others can’t reach.
Better access. Better intelligence. Better results.
Built to raise organisational capability, not fill roles.
Most search firms optimise for activity. We optimise for the hires that compound your ability to execute — led personally by a former Global Head Talent Acquisition of tech scaleup unicorns, with a research-first methodology built around long-term fit.
Protect talent density as you scale
We work with a small number of clients each quarter so every search gets the depth, structure and senior attention it deserves — headcount grows without lowering the bar for capability.
Access the leaders who never apply
AI-driven market intelligence and deep candidate research surface the off-market operators exceptional companies compete for — built on a 15-year technology sector network and a data-led search methodology.
Operator-led, not recruiter-led
Every search is led by a former in-house Head of Talent with 15+ years scaling FinTech, SaaS and AI companies. You get someone who understands the hire from the inside — end-to-end, no handoffs.
Two ways to work with Olive Search.
A single transformative hire, or a senior operator embedded to build the hiring engine that scales the business. Same bar for quality. Same founder-led delivery.
Senior & Executive Search
Retained, research-led search for the hires that materially raise organisational capability — Senior ICs, Heads of, Directors, VPs and C-Suite. Founder-led, end-to-end, with the depth reserved for a handful of clients each quarter. Built for FinTech, SaaS and AI scale-ups from Series A through IPO.
Enquire about thisEmbedded Strategic Talent Partner & Fractional Head of Talent
Plug a senior operator directly into your leadership team as a Fractional Head of Talent or Embedded Strategic Talent Partner. Build the hiring engine, install an AI-powered talent operating system, and create the infrastructure that scales capability alongside headcount — without carrying the fixed cost of a full-time TA leader too early.
Enquire about thisBuilt around the categories shaping the next decade.
Deep specialism in four interconnected sectors — so every brief lands with relevant networks, language and benchmarks.
Artificial Intelligence
Foundation model labs, applied AI, ML infrastructure and AI-native product teams.
FinTech
Payments, embedded finance, capital markets infrastructure, wealth and digital banking.
SaaS
Vertical and horizontal SaaS scaling from Series A through to IPO and beyond.
Technology
Cyber, data, developer tools, infrastructure and platform businesses.
A process designed for placements that last.
Discovery
We immerse ourselves in your business — strategy, capital plan, culture and the bar for leadership. We define the brief together.
Mapping
Deep market mapping across our private network, plus AI-augmented research and a data intelligence layer to surface the leaders who never apply.
Engagement
Discreet, founder-led approaches. We represent your brand the way you'd represent it yourself — with conviction and respect.
Assessment
Structured competency, leadership and culture interviews, paired with deep referencing from inside the rooms candidates have operated in.
Offer & Onboarding
We close offers, manage counter-offers and stay engaged through the first 100 days. Long-term placements, not transactions.
Lewis Evelyn — built to place exceptional talent, not fill roles.
Founder of Olive Search, with 15 years' experience scaling FinTech, SaaS and technology companies.
Having built teams both in-house as a Head of Talent and through executive search, Lewis brings a rare perspective on what great hiring looks like from both sides of the table.
He combines executive search with AI-driven market intelligence and a digital audience of 2m+ professionals — giving clients access to talent other search firms cannot reach.
Trusted by leaders building high-performance teams.
The difference isn't more candidates. It's access to the right ones.
Lewis consistently delivers high-calibre talent where other agencies fall short. Combining data, digital reach and an exceptional network, he uncovers candidates others simply can't access. Proactive, commercially minded and always moving at pace.
After struggling to fill critical roles through other recruiters, Lewis's network and hands-on approach made all the difference. Efficient, responsive and a genuine partner throughout the hiring process.
Lewis's market knowledge, agility and ability to deliver high-quality off-market talent helped us build a stronger team, faster. A true competitive advantage when hiring.
Founders and boards building category leaders.
From Series A challengers through to public-market technology businesses — we partner with the leadership teams who know the next hire will define the next chapter.
Venture-backed founders scaling their first senior leadership team
Growth-stage CEOs hiring critical Director and C-Suite seats
PE-backed leadership teams executing value-creation plans
Boards appointing Chairs, NEDs and Advisors
Brief us on the leader you need to hire next.
Tell us about the role, the business and the bar. Lewis personally reviews every brief and will come back within one working day.