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Engineering Certainty in Executive Transition

The Strategic Architecture of Leadership Change.

We help businesses protect their reputation and culture during change and senior leaders move from shock to strategy, faster and with dignity.

Statistics

810 +
Senior Mandates Delivered Across FTSE 250, Private Equity, and Global Enterprises.

Statistics

810 +
Senior Mandates Delivered Across FTSE 250, Private Equity, and Global Enterprises.
Career Transition and Outplacement. Specialists

Your Expert-Led Partner in Outplacement & Career Transition

FOR BUSINESS

Protect Your People & Brand

FOR EXECUTIVES

Take Control of Your Next Chapter

WHO WE HELP

Whether safeguarding a corporate reputation during restructure or architecting a career pivot for a C-Suite leader—we provide the strategic clarity and psychological edge required at the top..

I’m an HR Leader or CEO

Managing a restructuring, redundancy programme, or executive departure? You need to mitigate risk, protect your employer brand, and ensure your leavers become advocates, not detractors.

• Executive Outplacement: High-touch, founder-led transition support for C-suite and senior leadership departures.

• Restructuring Advisory: Navigating sensitive organizational change with integrity and psychological precision.

• Brand Protection: Mitigating leadership risk and maintaining employer reputation during pivotal shifts.

For HR Leaders & Executive Sponsors

I’m an Executive in Transition

Facing redundancy, a role elimination, or voluntary pivot? You need a partner who understands the weight of leadership identity and can help you land a role that matches your ambition..

• Executive Career Strategy: Define your next chapter with a focused, actionable roadmap designed for the C-Suite.

• C-Suite Positioning: Articulate your unique value and elevate your professional narrative for Board-level visibility.

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

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 private, founder-led support tailored to each individual and organisation—ensuring every engagement is strategic, 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, and sensitive leadership reinvention.
0 +
Of our senior executive cohort secured roles or portfolio careers within 4 months.
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Of technical specialists successfully transitioned into new industries within 9 months.
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100% Discretion Guaranteed
0 %
Of technical specialists successfully transitioned into new industries within 9 months.
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.

Focus: For the Business / HR Director

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

  • Leadership Restructuring Advisory – Navigating redundancy and sensitive change with integrity.

  • M&A & Integration Alignment – Protecting leadership continuity and brand equity post-merger.

  • Founder & SME Evolution – Custom strategies for founder exits or leadership legacy shifts.

  • Reputation Management – Safeguarding your employer brand throughout complex transitions.

Focus: For the Individual Leader

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

  • C-Suite Positioning – Articulating your value and elevating your narrative for board visibility.

  • Board & NED Readiness – Preparing for non-executive roles with governance-aligned positioning.

  • Portfolio Career Design – Building an ecosystem of interim roles, boards, and advisory work.

  • Legacy & Exit Planning – Shaping how you depart and the impact you leave behind.

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 Transition in Financial Services

A high-stakes merger left senior leaders facing redundancy. We coached them through career repositioning, board readiness, and market entry. 100% of the cohort secured new roles or portfolio careers within four months, safeguarding both individual legacies and the firm's reputation.
Learn more

Leadership Realignment for UK Retailer

A major restructure displaced 30 long-tenured managers. We provided intensive confidence rebuilding and interview strategy. Over 70% secured more senior positions within six months, turning a sensitive displacement into a career advancement for the staff.
Learn more

Specialist Redeployment at Scale

120 technical specialists were threatened by downsizing. We mapped their skills to high-growth sectors like aerospace and energy. The Result: 85% successfully transitioned into new industries within nine months, significantly reducing the organization's social impact risk.
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

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"

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