As the founders of a climate tech research house closed their Series A funding, they faced a pivotal moment. With a mission to help organisations measure, manage, and reduce carbon emissions, their subscription intelligence platform was gaining traction among investors, corporates, and governments. The next phase of growth demanded a senior leader who could drive research excellence, build a high-performing team, and represent the company as a thought leader in the climate tech sector.

The founders’ brief was clear: they needed someone with deep technical expertise in areas such as industrial decarbonisation, energy transition, carbon capture, batteries, or mining and metals. This leader would be responsible for developing robust research methodologies, translating complex data into actionable insights, and engaging a diverse audience, - from investors to policymakers. The role also required strong commercial acumen and the ability to represent the organisation at industry events.

A Targeted Executive Search

We designed a comprehensive search strategy, mapping talent across sell-side research, investment management, data providers, consultancies, academia, NGOs, and think tanks. The focus was on candidates with a proven record in climate technology research, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement.

The process included:

• Rigorous screening for subject matter expertise in key climate tech sectors.
• Assessment of leadership experience, especially in building and managing research teams.
• Evaluation of communication skills through work samples and scenario-based interviews.
• Analysis of candidates’ ability to synthesise complex data into actionable frameworks.
• Consideration of cultural fit and passion for climate tech innovation.

Shortlisted candidates came from leading research organisations, consultancies, and investment firms. Each brought unique strengths, but all demonstrated technical expertise, analytical rigour, leadership, and the ability to drive thought leadership in the climate tech space.

Placing a Transformational Research Leader

After a competitive process, HOI placed a candidate who matched all five key criteria:

• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge in industrial decarbonisation, energy transition, and emerging climate technologies, with a track record of influential research.
• Research Leadership: Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, developing methodologies, and managing complex projects.
• Analytical and Communication Skills: Ability to translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights for investors, corporates, and policymakers.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Recognised thought leader, active at industry events and within the climate tech ecosystem.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of the economic and market implications of climate innovation, aligning research outputs with commercial objectives.

Placement Impact

The appointment enabled the climate tech research house to expand its research capacity, enhance the quality and impact of its market intelligence, and strengthen its reputation as a trusted source of climate tech insights. The new leader accelerated the development of research products and methodologies, supporting clients’ decarbonisation journeys and positioning the organisation for continued growth in a fast-evolving market.