The Up Group

About The Up Group

The Up Group is a specialized executive search and advisory firm with a core focus on the digital and technology sectors across Europe. Founded in 2007 by Clare Johnston, the company was established to address a perceived gap in the market for a recruitment firm that understood the specific talent needs of the burgeoning tech industry. Johnston, who was 26 at the time, launched the firm with £40,000 of her own savings, aiming to create a challenger brand in the traditional executive search industry. Her vision was to move beyond transactional relationships and build a firm that could genuinely add value to the tech ecosystem by connecting it with high-caliber leadership.

The firm’s business model is centered on retained executive search, where it partners with clients to build their boards and senior leadership teams. This includes placing roles such as Chair, CEO, and heads of various functions like marketing, product, technology, and finance. The Up Group serves a diverse clientele that spans the entire growth curve, from venture capital-backed startups (like Airbnb and Skyscanner) and private equity-owned businesses (such as Trainline and Photobox) to publicly listed corporations (including Nike and Google) undertaking digital transformation. Beyond executive placement, the company generates revenue by offering a suite of advisory services to investors and companies, including salary benchmarking, due diligence support, and management team assessments.

A significant aspect of The Up Group's strategy is its powerful networking platform, the 'Digital Masters' programme. This initiative convenes over 2,000 industry leaders annually through a series of curated, invitation-only events like dinners, roundtables, and the prominent Digital Masters Awards. This events platform provides the firm with substantial access and influence within the global tech community. The company's journey has been marked by significant milestones, including receiving a strategic investment from private equity firm Livingbridge in 2016, which helped accelerate growth and more than double its team and revenue. Subsequently, in a move to further expand its international reach and service capabilities, The Up Group was acquired by Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS), a global talent management firm, in December 2020. This acquisition marked the beginning of the firm's 'third chapter', allowing it to operate as an autonomous brand within a larger global platform.