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Hiring the right leaders requires informed judgement, careful handling and access to individuals who are rarely active in the market.
Macdonald & Company partners with real estate investors, funds, developers and operators worldwide on senior appointments where reputation, timing and credibility are critical to success.
Senior appointments have lasting implications for business performance, organisational culture and individual careers. These roles shape direction and leadership continuity in ways that extend well beyond the initial hire.
Most executive search firms follow a rigid, process-driven model: staged fees paid regardless of outcome, progress measured in milestones rather than results, and a significant portion of cost committed before a shortlist exists. Our approach is built differently.
Every search is led directly by senior consultants with 15+ years of real estate recruitment experience. Our fees are structured flexibly and are consistently more competitive than traditional executive search, reflecting shared accountability for the outcome rather than the process. We reach candidates through long-term relationships and direct conversations, not advertising or databases.
The result is a model that prioritises the right appointment over the right process.
Traditional executive search firms often use rigid, high‑cost models that do not guarantee a hire
Most effective leaders in real estate are not actively seeking new opportunities
Senior leaders are selective about who they engage with and respond only to credible, professional informed approaches
Poorly judged contact can undermine trust and harm reputation, both for the individual and the organisation
Senior leaders engage when conversations reflect real understanding of their role and priorities.
We bring that understanding to every engagement.
London
Managing Director
London
Managing Director
Simon has worked for Macdonald & Company for two decades, becoming Manager Director for the UK in 2019. He leads the successful contract and permanent teams across the real estate sector. Simon's energy and motivation to supply unparalleled talent solutions to customers remain consistent as the day he joined.
Frankfurt
Managing Director
Frankfurt
Managing Director
Ania has led the German offices at Macdonald & Company since 2016, initially out of London. In 2018, she moved to Germany and set up the Frankfurt office, before establishing another office Dusseldorf after rapid expansion in the German real estate and related assets market.
Hong Kong
Managing Director
Hong Kong
Managing Director
Will has been leading international business lines and client engagement at Macdonald & Company, overseeing the business in Hong Kong, Singapore and China. Will engages with senior business leaders from all over the world with regard to their plans for Asia, advising on senior level hiring strategies and projects.
Singapore
Managing Director
Singapore
Managing Director
Will works closely with an array of real estate companies across Singapore and Asia Pacific, appointing c-suite executive and senior positions that specialise in capital raising, investment and funds, finance, development and core business operations to name but a few.
Johannesburg
Managing Director
Johannesburg
Managing Director
Widely regarded as the most networked recruiter for the African real estate market, Julie works with developers, investors, consultancies, contractors and financial institutions in formulating and executing expansion and operational strategies which are underpinned by introducing the right leaders.
London
CEO
London
CEO
As group CEO, Peter oversees Macdonald & Company across the international offices. Peter is a Chartered Surveyor who has worked in the Real Estate Human Capital & Talent Sector for three decades. He specialises in advising clients globally on topics such as remuneration, staff retention, talent selection, mergers and acquisition, HR policy and more.
Leadership appointments require experienced judgement from the outset. Every assignment is led directly by our most senior consultants with at least 15 years’ experience recruiting in the real estate industry, deep sector knowledge and networks built over many years, ensuring continuity, credibility and informed decision making from first conversation through to offer and acceptance.
Most senior leaders are not actively seeking new opportunities. We engage individuals through trusted long-term relationships, referrals and direct conversations, allowing discreet access to leadership talent that is not visible through advertising or databases.
Our approach is focused upon delivery. Unlike traditional restrictive executive search structures that rely on fixed retainers and staged fees regardless of outcome, our model is more flexible and focused on results rather than process milestones.
At senior level, success depends as much on timing as talent. We advise on when and how to engage leaders, informed by market conditions, organisational readiness and individual motivations, helping clients act with confidence rather than urgency alone.
Independent insight supports better decisions. We provide objective assessment of external candidates and internal talent where relevant, helping boards and leadership teams benchmark capability, test assumptions and decide with clarity.
Confidentiality is essential. Searches are designed to protect reputation, manage internal dynamics and control market exposure, with careful judgement applied at every stage of engagement.
Senior appointments shape organisations well beyond the point of hire. Our focus is supporting leadership decisions that strengthen performance and retention over time, rather than simply completing a placement.
A handful of organisations we have advised and supported with leadership appointments
Successful senior appointments rely on trusted advisers with the insight and track record to connect the right individuals with confidence.
Begin a confidential, consultative conversation with our team today.
Peter Moore MRICS, CEO
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We do not operate a fixed, process‑driven, antiquated executive search model. Traditional firms often follow rigid methodologies and inflexible staged fee structures, with progress tied to process milestones rather than outcomes.
Our approach is more flexible, advisory and partnership led. Senior consultants lead each assignment directly, focusing on judgement, timing and meaningful engagement with the right individuals. We prioritise outcomes over process, aligning our work closely with successful appointments rather than predefined stages.
This allows organisations to move with greater confidence, engage leaders more effectively and make senior hiring decisions that reflect their specific context.
Our fees are typically more flexible than traditional executive search models and usually range between 25%-35%, depending on the role, seniority and location.
Traditional executive search firms often operate at 35% or more, with a structured fee model where payments are made in stages, commonly at engagement, during the search process and on delivery of a shortlist. A significant proportion of these fees is typically non‑refundable, regardless of the final outcome.
Our approach is designed differently, we are partners. We align more closely to successful delivery, with a flexible structure that reflects partnership and shared accountability. This allows clients to retain greater control over cost while ensuring focus remains on achieving the right leadership outcome.
Yes. We regularly advise on board, executive committee and C-suite appointments where careful judgement, integrity and discretion are paramount.
Yes. Many senior appointments require a high level of discretion. We regularly support confidential leadership searches, succession planning and sensitive replacements where reputation and internal dynamics require careful handling. Engagements are managed with minimal exposure and clear control throughout.
Yes. Most senior leaders are not actively in the hiring market. We engage passive talent through our trusted long–term relationships, peer referrals and direct conversations developed over many years. This approach allows access to individuals who would not respond to advertising or standard outreach.
Where appropriate, we do. We provide objective external assessment of internal candidates alongside external benchmarking, helping boards and leadership teams make informed decisions based on capability and future suitability.
Yes. Alongside live hiring, we advise organisations on succession planning and future leadership needs. This allows decisions to be made with better timing and reduces risk at senior and board level.
Yes. Senior roles often involve considerations beyond base salary, including scope, incentives, flexibility and progression. We advise both leaders and organisations during these discussions to ensure clarity, alignment and outcomes that are sustainable for all parties.
We lead through offer development, negotiation and acceptance. At senior level, alignment on expectations, role design and timing is often as critical as remuneration. Our role is to support informed and balanced decisions on both sides, maintaining relationships.
Yes. Our role extends beyond placement. We provide guidance on attraction strategy, market conditions, succession considerations and leadership positioning, supporting decisions that strengthen performance, retention and credibility over time.
Our most senior specialist consultants lead every search directly. There is no handover to junior teams or offsite researchers, ensuring expertise and continuity throughout the process.