— Boutique executive search
The new generation of executive search for mid-sized companies
Identify leaders who go beyond performance — and shape the future of your company.
Across senior leadership, executive management, advisory boards, and investors.
Awarded by FOCUS Business · 2026
Top Executive Search Firm — Germany
Measurable results
— The challenge
Why traditional headhunters struggle to secure top executive talent.
Key positions cannot be filled using standard processes. Executive search is not a matching tool — it is a precise, discreet craft.
Top talent doesn’t apply — it’s discovered
The most valuable executives are rarely on the market. Reaching them requires a targeted, discreet approach. Traditional headhunters draw from the same limited pools.
The outcome: predictable profiles and untapped potential.
Algorithms don't recognise entrepreneurial impact
AI-powered matching tools optimise for keywords and CVs. What they cannot measure: strategic impact, cultural fit and entrepreneurial mindset.
Misplacements have strategic consequences
A misplacement at executive level costs 12–18 times the annual salary according to studies – plus reputational damage and lost market time.
— Our mission
Don’t just fill positions.
Build legacies.
“Building Legacies” isn’t a tagline — it’s our benchmark. We don’t just fill roles; we place leaders who leave a lasting mark on your company.
— Initial consultation
Confidential initial consultation regarding your key hiring needs
Discuss your challenge with us — confidentially, directly, and without delay. You will hear back from us personally within 24 hours.
For companies with a hiring need. We work exclusively on a retained basis for companies looking to fill a leadership position. We are unable to consider unsolicited applications via this form.
— Our approach
A structured process.
Tailored specifically to your needs.
Our commitment isn't reflected in grand statements, but in results and the quality of the candidates we present. Click through our 5-step process.
Briefing & Project Kick-Off
Together we define project scope, success criteria and search profile. Clarity on role, impact and company context is the foundation for all subsequent steps.
Market Analysis & Candidate Mapping
We map the relevant market end-to-end and identify every viable profile — building a comprehensive long list of 200+ potential candidates.
Calibration
We calibrate the long list against the agreed search profile and align with you on the most promising 40–60 candidates worth pursuing in depth.
Deep Assessment & Shortlist
We approach, interview and assess candidates personally — evaluating professional fit, cultural alignment and motivation to present a precise shortlist of top profiles.
Closing & Onboarding Support
We accompany the final candidates and your team through offer and contract — and stay involved well beyond the signature to ensure a successful onboarding.
Executive search, reimagined — where the right hire makes all the difference.
— KxK vs. Traditional Headhunter
What our clients say
"What I particularly value about working with Kempkens × Kohler is that they work fast, flexibly and with a great deal of independence. In a startup environment, topics and priorities shift constantly. I don't need lengthy coordination rounds — I need people who quickly grasp what matters, take ownership and move things forward. That is exactly what works so well with Kempkens × Kohler. I can hand over a topic and know it will be thought through independently and executed cleanly. When something changes along the way, they respond pragmatically and find a solution. For me, this is a collaboration that creates very little overhead while adding real pace — and in the day-to-day of a biotech startup, that is incredibly valuable."
"Agile, personal, tailor-made, and impressively fast — exactly the kind of partner a medium-sized company needs. The collaboration was highly professional, transparent, and consistently aligned with our specific requirements. An executive search provider that truly understands what drives the Mittelstand and delivers genuine added value."
"Many thanks to Sebastian Kohler and Oliver Kempkens for their excellent cooperation – professional, reliable, and with a keen understanding of my requirements!"
"Kempkens × Kohler stands out through excellent service, fast and well-structured process and high-caliber candidates."
"I have always experienced Oliver and Sebastian as reliable partners. Results so far: 100% accuracy of fit!"
"The collaboration with Kempkens × Kohler was exceptional from the very start. The team combines strategic clarity with creativity — above all with pace and a deep understanding of brand and business. The results moved ryd forward noticeably: strong on substance, genuinely partnership-driven and always with the ambition to create real impact."
— Client References & Projects
Why our approach works differently
Entrepreneurial thinking
We understand roles in the context of growth, responsibility and strategic impact.
Partner-Led, not delegated
Every mandate is led personally by the founding partners — no opaque research process, no delegation to third parties.
Access to the hidden market
We identify leaders based on competency and potential — including talent beyond the open candidate market.
Precision over volume
A clearly calibrated shortlist instead of long candidate lists.