Optitude OCC company logo featuring a four-petal abstract design in shades of blue with the brand name in bold lettering.

Search blog, projects, service or people.

we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that drive growth and add value to our clients. With a team of experienced professionals and a passion for excellence.
Abstract four-petal symbol in gradient blue tones representing the Optitude OCC brand.
Drag

Strategic Career Transitions for Leaders in Motion

Executive career transitions for leaders and the organisations navigating them.

Statics

810 +
Executives supported through career transitions with dignity and impact

Statics

810 +
Executives supported through career transitions with dignity and impact

Optitude OCC:

Your Expert-Led Partner in Career Transition

FTSE 250 Client Base

98% Success Rating

Principal-Led Expertise

Ascent Protocol Accredited



The Optitude Method: Clarity Meets Capability

Outsmart Career Volatility: Secure Your Next-Level Role with the Ascent Protocol—the Fixed 5-Step System for World-Class Outcomes.

Our work begins with a Comprehensive Audit, where we define your past context, assess your present reality, and establish the Non-Negotiable Mandate for your future trajectory. This Mandate is then Forged through the five proprietary stages of the Protocol, detailed below:

We launch a Comprehensive Audit to define your true past context and assess your present reality. The objective is to decouple you from limiting past narratives and secure the Mandate—the single, governing principle for your next strategic chapter. Key Deliverable: The Non-Negotiable Mandate (The singular governing principle for all future strategy).

Craft the authoritative, market-proof personal brand story for your next chapter. Detail (On Expand): This step forges your refined professional identity. We craft precise positioning statements, key value pillars, and a stress-tested narrative, ensuring your pitch instantly resonates with the top-tier opportunities you seek. Key Deliverable: The World-Class Narrative Framework (Includes Positioning Statement and Executive Bio).

Move beyond networking: Execute a targeted, high-value deployment strategy. Detail (On Expand): We transition from passive networking to active, strategic engagement. We develop a robust deployment plan to map, target, and engage the specific decision-makers and organizations that hold the keys to your Mandate-aligned role. Key Deliverable: The Strategic Outreach Ecosystem Map (A documented plan for targeted outreach and high-value engagement).

Ensure your next placement is a strategic move, not just a job change. Detail (On Expand): We provide the high-level strategic coaching for interviewing, due diligence, and negotiation. The focus is securing the offer and ensuring the new placement is a Mandate-aligned strategic move that establishes your command persona from day one. Key Deliverable: The Strategic Placement Protocol (Our proprietary guidance framework for negotiation and transition strategy).

Establish immediate influence and optimize your long-term strategic trajectory. Detail (On Expand): The work continues after placement. We help you embed your influence during the critical first 90 days, ensuring organizational alignment and maximizing early wins. We then develop the strategic roadmap to optimize future performance and advancement. Key Deliverable: The Strategic 12-Month Plan (Roadmap for internal success and next-level professional development)

 

“End the Guesswork. Start the Mandate.  Your career trajectory demands strategic rigor, not chance.   Book a private, no-obligation strategy session with an Optitude OCC Partner to determine if the Ascent Protocol is the definitive framework required for securing certainty and strategic control over your next professional move.”.

Who We Work With

From HR leaders managing complex transitions to senior professionals navigating pivotal moves—we guide with strategy, empathy, and precision.

Strategic Transitions for Senior Talent For Business

We support complex exits, restructures, and redeployments with strategic, discreet guidance—ensuring your people and brand are protected throughout the process.
For HR Leaders & Executive Sponsors

For Senior Professionals in Transition

Whether you're stepping up or stepping out, we help you define what’s next—with career strategy, personal brand building, and expert coaching to help you land well.
For Senior Professionals in Transition
Bespoke transition expertise

Discover Why Leaders Choose Optitude

We specialise exclusively in senior leadership transitions—understanding the commercial stakes, emotional nuances, and reputational dynamics unique to this level.
Individualised coaching for senior professionals navigating exits, pivots, or new roles — focused on clarity, momentum, and leadership presence.
We deliver high-touch, discreet support tailored to each individual and organisation—never templated, never transactional.
From board readiness to legacy positioning, we create career strategies that drive lasting value for leaders—and safeguard brand equity for organisations.
Trusted by, global enterprises, and high-growth scale-ups, our track record spans M&A, restructuring, redundancy, and leadership reinvention.
0 +
Leaders Coached
0 %
of clients land a new role within 4–6 months
0 %
Client Satisfaction Rate
0 %
100% Client Retention for Repeat Engagements
From C-suite outplacement to personalised career design we deliver clarity, strategy, and support when it matters most.

Tailored Solutions for Every Leadership Transition

Organisational Transition Solutions

Executive Career Advisory

We support companies of all sizes through senior leadership transitions that demand discretion, structure, and brand integrity.

We guide senior professionals through inflection points with clarity, confidence, and deeply personalised strategy.

Organisational Solutions Include:

  • Executive Outplacement – High-touch transition support for C-suite and senior leadership exits.

  • Leadership Restructuring Advisory – Navigate redundancy, role redesign, and sensitive change with integrity.

  • M&A & Integration Alignment – Align leadership, retain talent, and ensure clarity post-merger.

  • Founder & SME Transition Support – Custom solutions for founder exits or leadership evolution in smaller enterprises.

  • Reputation & Brand Continuity – Protect your employer brand during change.

Individual Services Include:

  • Executive Career Strategy – Define your next chapter with a focused, actionable roadmap.

  • C-Suite Positioning & Branding – Articulate your value and elevate your leadership narrative.

  • Board & NED Readiness – Prepare for advisory, trustee, or non-exec roles with governance-aligned positioning.

  • Portfolio Career Design – Build a career ecosystem of interim roles, boards, and advisory engagements.

  • Legacy & Exit Planning – Shape how you leave and what you leave behind.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Passion and progress

Founders and vision

Growth and impact

Team and values

Innovation and future

Success and impact

Transformative Outplacement

Explore our outstanding client projects

Senior Executive Redundancy in a Merger

A financial services merger left senior executives facing redundancy. We coached them through career repositioning, portfolio options, and board interview prep. Several secured new roles within four months, protecting morale and reputation.
Learn more

Prime strategy creative solutions group

A UK retailer displaced 30 long-tenured managers in a restructure. Group workshops and one-to-one coaching rebuilt confidence and sharpened interview skills. Over 70% secured new roles within six months, many in more senior positions.
Learn more

Redeploying Niche Skills Post-Redundancy

A manufacturing downsizing threatened 120 technical specialists. We ran skills audits, career mapping, and linked employees to new sector demand. Within nine months, 85% transitioned successfully into aerospace, automotive, and energy.
Learn more
[ CLIENTS FEEDBACK ]

Client testimonial & real success stories

Emma-Jayne Perez Chies – HR & Transformation Director testimonial for Optitude OCC career transition and outplacement services.

Emma-Jayne Perez Chies

HR Director
★★★★★
★★★★★

“Simon doesn’t just advise. He restores clarity, sharpens edge, and leaves you visibly elevated—confident, market-ready, and deeply grounded. Everyone serious about the C-suite needs him.”

Pete Brown, senior executive testimonial headshot, wearing dark glasses and navy shirt against neutral grey background.

Peter Browne, DipHE Peter Browne, DipHE

Police Sergeant at West Mercia Police
★★★★★
★★★★★

"I have had the pleasure of working with Simon after an introduction from a respected friend. Simon is very unique blending his knowledge and wealth of experience with a personal approach. This instantly put me at ease and allowed me to embrace Simon’s guidance and expertise. Highly recommend connecting with Simon."

Amelia Bradshaw MCIPD testimonial praising Simon Childs FREC for recruitment psychology, CV support, and executive search services.

Amelia Bradshaw, MCIPD

Fractional Head of People
★★★★★
★★★★★

"Simon blends wisdom with real recruitment psychology — he doesn’t just assess skills, he gets to the attitude that truly drives success."

Dr Rebecca Williams testimonial recommending Simon Childs FREC for recruitment expertise, coaching, and leadership support.

Dr Rebecca Williams

Former GP & MD of Williams Stress Management
★★★★★
★★★★★

"Simon’s passion and generosity make him not only easy to work with but highly effective in recruitment and coaching."

James Collins testimonial recommending Simon Childs FREC for executive headhunting, career coaching, and recruitment psychology.

James Collins

Change Director - Banking
★★★★★
★★★★★

“Simon blends deep recruitment expertise with career coaching insight. He takes the time to understand people—their values, aspirations, and fit—and equips them with the tools to succeed, from personal branding to interview preparation. A trusted partner for both hiring leaders and professionals navigating their next move.”

Roy Ebanks FCMI testimonial recommending Simon Childs FREC for executive search, recruitment, and career coaching.

Roy Ebanks

DEI Director & NED
★★★★★
★★★★★

"Simon blends senior search insight with steady, focused support—an ally who delivers results and calm clarity for executives under pressure"

Simon Lane, Managing Director and commercial leader, smiling headshot in business casual setting.

Simon Lane

Managing Director Y80 Group
★★★★★
★★★★★

“Simon brings energy, clarity, and rare integrity to executive search. Candid, creative, and committed—he’s a standout partner for leaders and employers alike.”

“Testimonial from Duncan Prior, Senior Consultant at BML Digital, praising Simon Childs as an executive headhunter, inspirational leader, and career coach.”

Duncan Prior

Senior Consultant BML Digital
★★★★★
★★★★★

“Simon helped me shape not just my career story, but how I lead. A rare mix of headhunter, coach, and trusted sparring partner.”

“Testimonial from Kate Holden, Non-Executive and Board Advisor, describing Simon Childs as an experienced executive search professional with a personal and purposeful approach.”

Kate Holden

Non Executive & Board Advisor in Strategy, Digital Growth & Governance
★★★★★
★★★★★

"Simon blends years of executive search expertise with a personal touch—making every conversation purposeful, insightful, and valuable for both clients and candidates"

Optitude OCC logo – career transition and outplacement service
Receive the latest business news, tips & updates via email

Ready to Start the Conversation?

Follow Us: