About
About Us
Boutique search agency, specialising in executive search within Legal and the alternative investment space
With a combined 50+ years of search experience across EMEA, Novus Executives operates at the intersection of legal and investment ecosystems. Our team brings a nuanced understanding of sponsor-led environments, advising clients across private capital, sovereign wealth, and associated legal platforms. We specialise in delivering senior mandates across regional headquarters and key financial hubs, including Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and London.
Our approach is relationship-led, underpinned by deep market mapping and long-standing networks across both developed and emerging markets. We work as trusted advisors to our clients, offering insight-driven search solutions that align with evolving market dynamics and strategic growth objectives.
13
countries worldwide, demonstrating our adeptness in a number of global landscapes.
500+
successful mandates, delivering results and exceeding client expectations.
97%
retained search success rate. Affirming our reliability and commitment to delivering top-tier talent solutions.
Global Reach
Operating across EMEA, Novus Executives has a strong presence in the region’s principal financial centres and rapidly growing legal hubs. From established markets such as London to emerging regional headquarters in the Middle East, we support clients on cross-border and sponsor-led mandates that span the full investment and legal value chain. Our reach enables us to identify and engage talent globally, while maintaining a deep understanding of local markets, ensuring precise, culturally aligned placements in highly competitive environments.
Our team acts as your partner, using their knowledge, market insights and decades of experience to provide the best possible service.
Each one of our consultants has a deep-rooted specialism, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their sector and respective market.
Each one of our consultants has a deep-rooted specialism, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their sector and respective market.
To find out more about a particular consultant, please feel free to visit their LinkedIn profiles below.
Nathan Ward
Nathan Ward is Managing Director of both Novus Executives and Leap29. He joined the board of Directors in 2011 which consequently led to his appointment as Managing Director in 2014. Since then, his extensive industry knowledge allows him to successful oversee the operations and provide vital guidance to both the management team and global consultants.
Ricci Sethi
With 13 years of experience, Ricci heads up our professional services offering. As a preeminent figure within the Saudi search market, his expertise extends beyond day-to-day recruitment mandates. Ricci has supported in partnering local businesses with International investors, has supported clients with licensing processes in KSA, and has developed compensation / bonus structures for new market entrants.
Joe Cochrane
Since joining the company in 2012, Joe has acquired 11 years of experience and has progressed to one of the senior members of the Executive Search team. He has a strong track record for successfully completing search assignments for investment firms, including private equity funds, growth and venture capital funds and alternative asset managers across EMEA.
Afraz Sajadi
Afraz specialises in legal recruitment across the Middle East. With over nine years of experience, Afraz partners with leading UK and US law firms as well as prominent regional practices throughout the GCC. He has a proven track record of successfully placing lawyers from associate to partner level, including those relocating internationally. His expertise spans a broad range of practice areas, including corporate, banking, construction, energy, and dispute resolution.
Brad Walton
Since joining the team in 2022, Brad has specialized in the UK’s infrastructure and energy market, supporting clients across the entire infrastructure lifecycle. He has successfully placed finance and investment professionals with mid-to-large-cap funds, as well as technical specialists essential to the construction and maintenance of infrastructure assets.
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Cameron Cosh
Cameron joined the team in 2025, specialising in the Middle Eastern and European private equity and legal markets. He brings a proven track record of building high-performing teams in advisory and financial services, supporting clients across the Middle East, Europe, and the US at all levels from Associate through to Partner.
Get in touch
To discuss how we can support you with your next steps, get in touch with our expert recruitment team today.
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