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CEO Search in 2025: Three Game-Changing Trends Every PE Firm Should Know
by Eric Walczykowski, Brandon Lord
The search game for finding high-impact CEOs has fundamentally changed. Turnaround specialists are becoming hot commodities, the in-office vs remote debate has found a new balance, compensation is rising while turnover is at historic lows, and getting CEOs involved during due diligence has become a true difference-maker.
It is a competitive but exciting time in the CEO market. I wanted to sit down with our newest CEO, P&L & Board Practice Partner, Brandon Lord, to dive into these trends and see how Bespoke is leveraging them to help our clients succeed.
Here are the highlights from our conversation:
Watch the full conversation with Brandon
CEO Market Insights: Key Trends from Bespoke’s Newest Partner, Brandon Lord
AI is Changing How We Find Top Talent
Have you ever wondered if there's a better way to identify executive talent beyond the usual networks? That's exactly what our Executive Index is doing for clients. Even AI skeptics are "absolutely blown away" by what the Executive Index can discover.
Brandon shared similar enthusiasm: "I really do believe the index is a game changer for Bespoke and our industry." It's solving a common challenge in executive search. Getting stuck in an "echo chamber" of the same candidate profiles. Instead, our approach gives clients access to the entire market across 28+ software subsectors, allowing us to adjust searches in real time based on changing requirements. Seeing the whole picture eliminates blind spots and helps you find superior talent that will help you see your investment thesis through.
Key Trends Impacting the CEO Market
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A Focus on Turnaround Leadership
Ahead of their next funding round, portfolio companies are expected to demonstrate strong operational improvements alongside growth potential. With deal flow slowing, CEOs who have a track record of shifting company trajectories are in high demand. These leaders excel under pressure, quickly identifying inefficiencies and delivering high-impact solutions when it matters most.
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Finding Balance with Remote Work
Most searches now want CEOs in the office part-time, preferably a direct flight away. But here's the reality: leaders still need to be great at managing teams across different locations. The best executives create strong cultures regardless of where people work, keeping everyone connected and innovative without needing to share the same physical space.
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Getting Involved Earlier
Private equity firms are bringing potential CEOs into the picture during due diligence rather than waiting until after closing the deal. This gives companies expert insight early on, uncovers issues before they escalate, and shortens the transition period. For executives, it's a chance to help shape strategy from the ground up and align with the investment vision from day one.
CEO Compensation Beyond a Target Number
CEO compensation packages continue to grow, especially for companies in the revenue range. We're also seeing slight increases in equity multiples, reflecting both the critical value CEOs bring and the competitive nature of recruiting experienced leaders.
What sets Bespoke apart in the space is our ability to go beyond simply understanding a candidate's compensation expectations. "We know their values and other critical items that will factor into their decision-making process," Brandon explained. This deeper understanding helps us guide candidates through their decision process more effectively.
Why The Bespoke Approach Makes a Difference
With CEO turnover at its lowest level since 2022, executives are generally staying put to drive their companies toward successful outcomes. This makes the role of a good search partner all the more important.
"Working with the right firm can be the difference between a candidate taking an informed leap versus staying put," Brandon noted. Bespoke stands apart because we aren’t a generalist firm with partners simply chasing new business. Instead, our consultative approach is backed by specialized expertise in the private equity-backed software space. As Brandon succinctly put it: "This is all we do. This is the vein in which we operate."
Advice for Companies Starting a CEO Search Today
For companies beginning the search process, Brandon recommends transparency with company data and compensation structures. Today's candidates are asking detailed questions and want to dig into the numbers before committing to in-person interviews.
"We saw a lot of inflated packages during 2020 through 2022," Brandon explained, "and in many cases, that did not pan out as candidates had hoped." Now, candidates want to know how realistic their goals are before investing significant time.
His advice? Work with a firm that has clear expertise in your specific needs rather than settling for technology generalists. Ask tough questions about how they align their search teams across scale, function, and market—these factors make all the difference in finding the right candidates and vetting them properly.
Simply put, Brandon's insights reveal an evolving executive landscape: turnaround specialists are in demand, remote work is evolving, and CEO involvement is happening earlier than ever.
With compensation rising and turnover at record lows, the right search partner makes all the difference.
Curious about more? Check out the full Tailored Talent vodcast to hear Brandon's complete take on finding those needle-in-a-haystack leaders your competitors are missing.
Bespoke Partners Named in Top 10 of the “Top 49 Retained Executive Search” 2-Years Running by C-Suite CV Secure.
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