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Executive Search for AI, Data, and Technology Leadership

Building the Leadership Capacity for Intelligent Growth

The Challenge with Traditional Search

Most leadership teams we partner with — CEOs scaling AI-driven organisations, investors building executive capacity, and boards embedding governance into transformation — share a common frustration: traditional executive search no longer meets the demands of intelligent, fast-changing businesses.

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Legacy models depend on recycled candidate pools, informal networks, and intuition over data. The result? Homogeneous shortlists, slower hiring cycles, and leaders misaligned with the realities of scaling in an AI-first economy.

 

The impact compounds over time: missed product milestones, slower commercialisation, weak succession planning, and inconsistent governance. In AI-driven businesses, these gaps are amplified — the wrong hire can delay innovation, stall transformation, and increase organisational risk.

 

Lucent Search was built to change that. We bring together executive search, market intelligence, and advisory discipline to identify the leaders who can accelerate growth responsibly. Our work is designed for founders, boards, and investors who understand that the right leadership is the most critical lever for success in the age of intelligent transformation.

The Lucent Smart Search® Methodology

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We re-engineered executive search to meet the complexity of AI-driven business. Lucent Smart Search® is an 83-step process that merges executive search rigour with consulting precision, ensuring every appointment strengthens capability, culture, and competitiveness.

Our method covers every stage of leadership engagement; strategy definition, talent intelligence, evaluation, and long-term retention.

 Discover

We begin by clarifying your organisation’s goals, strategic context, and leadership needs.


Through structured discovery, we define success criteria, build scorecards, and develop compelling role narratives.

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Delivers:

  • A validated leadership brief aligned to business outcomes

  • Market and capability insights to inform the search strategy

  • Assets including video briefs, interview plans, and role scorecards

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Attract

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Using real-time talent intelligence and multi-channel outreach, we engage both active and passive tier-one leaders.


Our campaigns reach awareness rates exceeding 90%, combining data, networks, and employer brand storytelling.

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Delivers:

  • Expanded, diverse candidate pools beyond typical markets

  • Data-driven sourcing with measurable engagement metrics

  • Faster access to hard-to-reach, high-performing leaders

 Evaluate

3

Each candidate is assessed against your agreed criteria through structured interviews and benchmarking tools.


We prioritise objectivity, consistency, and evidence-based evaluation.

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Delivers:

  • Objective comparison of leadership capability and cultural fit

  • Reduced bias and decision fatigue

  • Confidence in every shortlist

4

Assess

We facilitate your evaluation process, advising on interview structure, participating in debriefs, and ensuring alignment between all stakeholders.

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Delivers:

  • Enhanced rigour and collaboration in selection

  • Deeper insight into motivation, values, and leadership style

  • Improved hiring confidence and quality of decision-making

Secure

We manage offer strategy, negotiation, and pre-boarding with full transparency.


Using real-time compensation data, we help clients achieve market-competitive outcomes that secure top performers.

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Delivers:

  • Maximised offer acceptance rates

  • Seamless pre-boarding and integration

  • Data-backed negotiation insight

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Retain

We remain engaged post-hire, conducting structured check-ins with leaders and hiring teams to ensure long-term success.

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Delivers:

  • Early performance feedback and adjustment

  • Reduced turnover risk

  • Long-term leadership stability and satisfaction

Proof of Impact

Our process consistently delivers measurable outcomes:

  • 45%+ of placements are from under-represented backgrounds, strengthening innovation and culture.

  • 90%+ of clients retain Lucent for multiple leadership hires, reflecting sustained trust.

  • 100% of searches are mapped against real-time talent data, ensuring complete market coverage.

Partnering with Lucent

We partner with:

  • CEOs and founders scaling technology and AI-driven organisations

  • Private equity and venture investors building executive capacity in portfolio companies

  • Boards and senior teams embedding governance and accountability in AI initiatives

  • Transformation and innovation leaders driving adoption across complex enterprises

 

Our work spans the UK, Europe, and the USA, connecting global talent with mission-driven organisations shaping the future of intelligent technology.

Unlike your typical recruiter who simply relies on database searches, Rebecca employs a more comprehensive and systematic approach, yielding superior results. The candidates she provides consistently surpass the quality of those sourced by other recruiters.

Let’s Build Your Leadership Advantage

Ready to discover how Lucent Smart Search® can help you hire leaders who deliver measurable impact in AI and technology transformation? Book a 20-minute strategy call to explore your leadership needs and identify the right approach for your organisation.

AI Strategy & Leadership Advisory

Align AI strategy, governance, and organisational design with human capability and ethical responsibility to lead confidently through intelligent transformation.

Interims & Fractional Executives

Access interim and fractional AI, data, and tech leaders and experts who deliver rapid, targeted impact during transformation, growth and innovation.

Talent Advisory

Design and execute talent strategies that attract, engage, and retain leaders and specialists who drive transformation across AI and technology.

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