Northern Ireland’s leading executive recruitment firm, Clarendon Executive, is celebrating 25 years in business.
The milestone was marked with a special anniversary celebration that took place on Thursday 24 September 2026 at The Academy Restaurant, Ulster University, with more than 130 guests in attendance.
Among those attending were current clients, colleagues and key representatives from across Northern Ireland’s business community, alongside professionals and senior leaders who were originally headhunted and placed in roles by Clarendon Executive.
Founded in 2001 by Ciaran Sheehan, originally as MERC Partners Northern Ireland, the Belfast-based company specialises in leadership and executive appointments, employing a core team of six people and working closely with a number of expert associates. Alongside Ciaran, partners Joanne McAuley and Claire McKee have brought Clarendon Executive to the forefront of the executive recruitment market.
Over the past 25 years, Clarendon Executive has supported over 2000 senior executives in taking the next step in their career and has built long-standing relationships with many of Northern Ireland’s leading companies, public sector bodies and charitable organisations.
Commenting on the 25th anniversary, Ciaran Sheehan, managing partner, Clarendon Executive said:
“To have been in business for a quarter of a century, in what is a continually changing market environment, is a significant milestone for Clarendon Executive.
“When we founded Clarendon Executive in 2001, our ambition was to bring a truly best-in-class executive search model to Northern Ireland. We believed organisations here deserved the same quality, rigour and depth of search available in leading international markets, delivered through a considered, tailored and highly personal approach. That ambition has shaped our work ever since, helping us build long-standing client relationships and identify leaders who have made a lasting contribution to their organisations and to the growth of Northern Ireland’s economy.
“To mark 25 years with so many of those people in the room, including clients and individuals that we have supported throughout their careers, made the event at The Academy particularly special.”
The company’s anniversary comes at a time when the recruitment industry is undergoing significant change, from the growth of digital recruitment and AI-led services, remote and hybrid working environments, to an increased demand for specialist talent.
Throughout these changes to the marketplace, Clarendon Executive has continued to evolve its services while retaining its focus on securing the best in senior leadership and board level talent for a growing portfolio of clients.
Ciaran Sheehan, managing partner, Clarendon Executive, continued:
“Since Clarendon Executive was founded, our strapline has been ‘Finding Leaders’- and that remains at the heart of what we do. Technology has helped us find people, but success still comes down to understanding an organisation, demonstrating good judgement and building trust with talented leaders as they consider significant career decisions.
“I am immensely proud that, 25 years on, this personal approach remains central to Clarendon Executive, and the trust our clients place in us is testament to this. As we look ahead, we will continue to adapt while drawing on our experience and relationships to find exceptional leaders and bring the very best talent to organisations and communities across Northern Ireland.”
For more information on Clarendon Executive’s recruitment and executive search services, please visit www.clarendonexecutive.com.