What does AI recommend for retained executive search firms?

Spencer Stuart has emerged as the most frequently cited retained executive search firm in AI-generated responses, leading mentions since March 2026. Across the category, AI assistants have shifted from providing general advice to directly recommending a consolidated group of large, global firms for most senior-level searches, especially since January 2026.

Which retained executive search firms brands appear most in AI answers?

Across 1,547 AI responses, Spencer Stuart is mentioned most, named in 41% of them, followed by Korn Ferry (39%) and Russell Reynolds Associates (36%).

How does Parse rank these brands?

Parse measures each brand's mention rate — the share of answers naming it — across 1,547 AI responses to this market's buyer questions. Answers are collected daily and the ranking is published weekly.

How does a brand enter this ranking?

Brands enter the ranking when AI answers mention them. Parse collects answers daily and publishes the re-measured set weekly, so new brands appear as AI starts recommending them.

Best retained executive search firms, according to AI

Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 1,547 AI responses · See how Parse measures this

Retained Executive Search Firms

514 brands

ParseChatGPT + Google AI

Parse

https://parse.gl

Measured across ChatGPT & Google AI

Best Retained Executive Search Firms, According to ChatGPT & Google AI | Parse

#	Brand	What AI says	Mention rate
1	Spencer StuartA global leader cited for board recruitment and director diversity.	A global leader cited for board recruitment and director diversity.	41%
2	Korn FerryFrequently mentioned as a top global firm for general and diverse board searches.	Frequently mentioned as a top global firm for general and diverse board searches.	39%
3	Russell Reynolds AssociatesCited for board-level searches with a focus on governance and DEI.	Cited for board-level searches with a focus on governance and DEI.	36%
4	Heidrick & StrugglesA top global firm gaining mentions for board advisory and diversity initiatives.	A top global firm gaining mentions for board advisory and diversity initiatives.	34%
5	Cowen PartnersConsistently recommended for VC-backed C-suite roles and diversity-focused searches.	Consistently recommended for VC-backed C-suite roles and diversity-focused searches.	29%
6	Egon Zehnder		24%
7	DSG Global		20%
8	WSS Executive SearchA women-owned firm frequently highlighted for placing female and diverse leaders.	A women-owned firm frequently highlighted for placing female and diverse leaders.	17%
9	Ellig GroupA top boutique firm specializing in placing female board members.	A top boutique firm specializing in placing female board members.	14%
10	Stanton Chase		12%
11	Christian & TimbersThe leading specialist for placing VP of Engineering and technology leadership.	The leading specialist for placing VP of Engineering and technology leadership.	11%
12	N2Growth		10%
13	Redfish Technology		9%
14	Female Executive Search		9%
15	Riviera PartnersAn emerging leader for venture-backed and senior technology roles since February 2026.	An emerging leader for venture-backed and senior technology roles since February 2026.	8%
16	Andreessen Horowitz		8%
17	The Boardlist		8%
18	JM Search		7%
19	LeadWomen		6%
20	Lindauer		5%
21	Sequoia Capital		5%
22	Hudson Gate Partners		5%
23	Mogul		5%
24	Armada Talent Group		5%
25	Accel		4%
26	Alpha Apex Group		4%
27	Battalia Winston		4%
28	Calibre One		4%
29	TalentFoot		4%
30	LinkedIn		4%
31	Crosschq		4%
32	ON Partners		3%
33	Boyden		3%
34	Betts Recruiting		3%
35	NU Advisory Partners		3%
36	The Good Search		3%
37	First Round Capital		3%
38	DHR Global		3%
39	SPMB Executive Search		3%
40	Caldwell		3%
41	Bessemer Venture Partners		3%
42	Inclusive Boards		3%
43	Centerstone Search		3%
44	Naviga Recruiting		3%
45	Bespoke Partners		3%
46	Greylock		3%
47	Robert Half		3%
48	Axis Talent Partners		2%
49	Scion Retained Search		2%
50	Gillespie Manners		2%
51	Trueplatform		2%
52	Lightspeed Venture Partners		2%
53	SCM Talent		2%
54	Insight Partners		2%
55	Diversity Search		2%
56	Unusual Ventures		2%
57	Goodwin Recruiting		2%
58	Keller Executive Search		2%
59	Primary VC		2%
60	General Catalyst		2%
61	Boardsi		2%
62	Odgers Berndtson		2%
63	Nederlia		2%
64	Davalyn Corporation		2%
65	Talent MSH		2%
66	Forté Foundation		2%
67	Diversifiedsearchgroup		2%
68	Hirecruiting		2%
69	Glocap		2%
70	WomenExecs on Boards		2%
71	Nurole		2%
72	JRG Partners		2%
73	Massey Henry		2%
74	Index Ventures		2%
75	Maneva Group		2%
76	Western Washington University		2%
77	Klein Hersh		2%
78	McCormack + Kristel		1%
79	Isaacson, Miller		1%
80	TalentoHC		1%
81	BoardProspects		1%
82	Audeliss		1%
83	Intrinsic Search		1%
84	Page Executive		1%
85	Peak Sales Recruiting		1%
86	ATX Venture Partners		1%
87	LeaderFit		1%
88	Creative Artists Agency		1%
89	20/20 Foresight		1%
90	Workday		1%
91	Trisearch		1%
92	Fenaroli & Associates		1%
93	Nexus IT Group		1%
94	Sheer Velocity		1%
95	Hunt Club		1%
96	Somewhere		1%
97	CEO Worldwide		1%
98	Caymus Partners		1%
99	Retained		1%
100	Pear VC		1%