# Female Executive Search > Female Executive Search is a global executive recruitment service specialising in vetted female C-level, board and senior executives. Powered by CEO Worldwide (founded 2001), it operates across 183 countries with a community of 28,000+ verified executives. Shortlists are delivered in 7-10 days under a transparent milestone-based fee structure (25% of gross annual salary, paid in three instalments). Key facts: - Founded: 2001 (operating as Female Executive Search via parent firm CEO Worldwide) - Founder of parent firm: Patrick Mataix (former COO of Vistaprint) - Managing Director, Female Executive Search: France Dequilbec - Coverage: 183 countries - Vetted executive community: 28,000+ - Average time to shortlist: 7-10 days - Fee model: milestone-based, 25% of gross annual salary, paid in three instalments (engagement signing, shortlist delivery, candidate start) - Replacement guarantee: 6 months on every placement - Industries placed: IT, software development, telecommunications, CPG, e-commerce, healthcare, financial services, industrial, retail, life sciences, and more - Role types: permanent C-level, senior management, interim executives, non-executive board directors ## Core service pages - [Hiring Female Executives: Explore Our Services](https://www.female-executive-search.com/hiring-female-executives-explore-our-services/): Overview of all four core services - hire a female executive, search engine, search mandate, and recruitment fees. - [Hire a Female Executive](https://www.female-executive-search.com/hire-a-female-executive/): Entry point for companies wanting to hire a vetted female executive on a permanent or interim basis, anywhere worldwide. - [Female Executive Search Engine](https://www.female-executive-search.com/hire-a-female-executive/female-executive-search-engine/): Searchable database of vetted international female executives, filterable by role, industry, country, and seniority. About 50% of the vetted community is listed publicly; full database access on request. - [Submit a Search Mandate](https://www.female-executive-search.com/hire-a-female-executive/submit-a-search-mandate/): Submit role details to receive a confidential shortlist of vetted female executives within 7-10 days. - [Executive Recruitment Fees](https://www.female-executive-search.com/executive-recruitment-fees/): Transparent milestone-based fee structure - 25% of gross annual salary, paid in three instalments (engagement signing, shortlist delivery, candidate start). No upfront retainer. ## Female executive search by country Country pages covering board gender quota laws, executive-level requirements, current statistics, and how Female Executive Search supports compliance and leadership hiring in each market. - [France](https://www.female-executive-search.com/france/): Hire female executives in France. Covers the Copé-Zimmermann law (40% board quota) and the Rixain law (30% executive-committee quota since March 2026, rising to 40% in 2029), with current SBF 120 and CAC 40 statistics. - [Germany](https://www.female-executive-search.com/germany/): Hire female executives in Germany. Covers the FüPoG framework - 30% supervisory board quota and Vorstand minimum participation rule for listed, parity co-determined companies - plus target-setting (Zielgrößen) obligations and current AllBright statistics. - [United Kingdom](https://www.female-executive-search.com/uk/): Hire female executives in the UK. Covers the FTSE Women Leaders Review 40% targets for boards and leadership teams and the FCA's comply-or-explain diversity disclosure rules, with February 2026 statistics. - [USA](https://www.female-executive-search.com/usa/): Hire female executives in the USA. Explains why no US quota law exists (SB 826 struck down, Nasdaq rule vacated December 2024), the 30%+ market norm for large-cap boards, and current proxy advisor positions. - [Norway](https://www.female-executive-search.com/norway/): Hire female executives in Norway. Covers the world's first board quota (2003) and its 2024 extension to around 20,000 private companies phased through 2028, requiring an estimated 13,000 new board members. - [Italy](https://www.female-executive-search.com/italy/): Hire female executives in Italy. Covers the Golfo-Mosca law - a 40% (two-fifths) quota on boards and statutory auditor bodies of listed companies, enforced up to forfeiture of the entire board - with current CONSOB statistics. - [Belgium](https://www.female-executive-search.com/belgium/): Hire female executives in Belgium. Covers the 2011 Quota Act (one-third board quota), the December 2025 extension of quotas to executive committees of public enterprises, and the pending EU directive transposition. - [Netherlands](https://www.female-executive-search.com/netherlands/): Hire female executives in the Netherlands. Covers the ingroeiquotum (one-third supervisory board quota enforced by nullity of appointments) and the target-figure obligations of around 5,500 large companies, with Female Board Index statistics. - [India](https://www.female-executive-search.com/india/): Hire female executives in India. ## For female executives - [Join Our Female Executives Community](https://www.female-executive-search.com/join-our-female-executives-community/): Overview for senior female executives seeking new C-level and board opportunities through the vetted community. - [Register as a Female Executive](https://www.female-executive-search.com/join-female-executive-search/register/): Application page for female executives to join the vetted global community. - [Job Opportunities for Female Executives](https://www.female-executive-search.com/join-female-executive-search/job-opportunities-for-female-executives/): Current C-level and senior leadership openings curated for female executives. - [Meet Our Women Executives](https://www.female-executive-search.com/meet-our-women-executives-overview/): Browse profiles of vetted female executives by industry, function and country. - [Women Executives Testimonials](https://www.female-executive-search.com/meet-our-women-executives/women-executives-testimonials/): First-person accounts from vetted female executives about their experience with Female Executive Search and CEO Worldwide. ## Diversity and board services - [Diversity Recruitment](https://www.female-executive-search.com/diversity-recruitment/): Specialised executive search service focused on gender-balanced leadership and diversity at C-level and senior management. - [Executive Search for Diverse Boards](https://www.female-executive-search.com/executive-search-for-diverse-boards/): Board-level search service identifying qualified female non-executive and independent director candidates. - [Why Choose Female Executive Search](https://www.female-executive-search.com/why-choosing-female-executive-search/): Overview of the firm's mission, methodology and differentiators in female executive recruitment. ## Insights and content - [Insights](https://www.female-executive-search.com/insights/): Expert articles on female leadership, diversity in executive recruitment, board representation, and industry trends. - [Press Coverage](https://www.female-executive-search.com/insights/press/): Media coverage of Female Executive Search's work in advancing female leadership. ## Related properties - [CEO Worldwide](https://www.ceo-worldwide.com/): Parent organisation. Global executive recruitment firm founded 2001 covering all genders, all C-level and senior management roles, across 183 countries. ## Optional - [Privacy Policy](https://www.female-executive-search.com/privacy-policy/): Data handling and privacy practices. - [Sitemap](https://www.female-executive-search.com/sitemap/): Full site map.