Our History

Compass Executives win the Executive Search Firm of the Year category at the 2024 HealthInvestor Awards.

Judges feedback included,  “No question that Compass Carter Osborne is now a leading name in the sector, recognised for providing outstanding C-suite and SMT appointments who add value to the businesses they lead, and can demonstrate exceptional EBITDA returns on exit.” 

Compass Executives has completed the strategic acquisition of Carter Schwartz, with the subsequent merger creating the newly formed Compass Carter Osborne.

The merger of two of the UK’s leading providers of executive search and consulting services for investor-backed companies, consolidates the market position of CCO as the preeminent provider of retained C-suite services to the sector.

CCO is led by its two senior partners, Adam Carter, and Luke Osborne, supported by Sam Leighton-Smith, combining 40 years of experience in sourcing some of the high-profile executives in the independent health, care, education, and life sciences markets.

This investment will enable CRS to accelerate organic and inorganic growth to build scale in the health, life science and social care sectors.

Cow Corner, a leading private equity investor in services and software businesses, has invested in CRS to accelerate the group’s growth. This includes expanding into new markets, enhancing digital capabilities, implementing AI, and acquisition-driven consolidating across both UK and international markets through acquisitions.

CRS shortlisted as a finalist in the TIARA Recruitment Awards.

The TALiNT Partners announcement shortlisting CRS as a finalist in the Best recruitment company to work for (£5-20m revenue) is fantastic recognition for the hard work of everyone at Compass in terms of delivery, culture and community across all brands these past twelve months.

CRS completes its first investment, with pharmaceutical and life sciences specialist Carrot Recruitment.

Established in 2006 by pharmaceutical industry professionals Martin and Debbie Anderson, Carrot provides both permanent and contract recruitment solutions to the Pharma, Biotech, and Medical Device industries – complementing the expertise offered by Compass Life Sciences.

CRS receives Investors in People Gold Accreditation in November 2022.

Successful accreditation with the Investors in People standard is the sign of a great employer, an outperforming place to work and a clear commitment. Only 17% of organisations achieve gold status so this is an achievement CRS are incredibly proud of.

The Marketing Team at CRS won the ‘In-House Recruitment Marketing Team of the Year’ Award at the Recruitment Marketing Awards (RMA’s) 2022.

The October event held at the Brewery, London, is designed to provide reward and recognition for excellence and professionalism in recruitment marketing. Feedback included “The entry was built on an effective team, which had a good strategy and was valued internally.”

Mid-way through 2022, CRS total headcount surpassed 100 with continuous hiring across all brands.

Summer 2022 saw a high volume of new starters join CRS across all brands at all levels, with a particular focus on growing the Compass Associates, and Compass Life Sciences brands in line with client demands for services.

CRS have been awarded ISO 9001:2015 accreditation, having demonstrated the international standards required for quality management systems.

The standard is an indicator that the business can consistently provide services that meet both customer and regulator requirements.

Compass Executives win the Search Firm of the Year category at the 2022 HealthInvestor Awards.

Judges feedback included, "undoubtedly the go-to search firm for the privately-owned and private equity backed health, care and education markets".

CRS re-brands from Compass Holding Group.

In January 2022, CRS re-branded to reflect the Compass offerings and culture developed since inception, to better represent who we are as a business.

CHG win HealthInvestor’s 2021 Recruiter of the Year Award for third time in our history.

CHG were proud recipients of HealthInvestor’s 2021 Recruiter of the Year Award, which was small recognition for the outstanding work delivered by all teams during the Pandemic – something referenced in judges feedback as particularly impressive.

CHG reaches headcount growth of 75.

By July 2021, CHG headcount accelerates past 75 employees with the growth of the four Compass brands, along with increasing headcount within the Business Support team to support the day-to-day operations.

CHG were delighted to have won LaingBuisson’s Recruiter Award in November 2019.

At the first year of being nominated, CHG secured the Recruiter category at the L&B Awards in November 2019, where some of the feedback included how the standards, process and track record were unparalleled compared to our competitors, making us the deserved winners of the award.

CHG secure second win at the HealthInvestor Awards.

For the second time in three years, CHG were awarded the Recruiter of the Year Award at the HealthInvestor Awards, where the businesses growth record, coverage of the markets, and innovation based on client requirements, all were cited in the decision to award CRS with the accolade.

The Back Office support team at CHG recognised as best in class at REC awards.

In 2018 the CHG Back Office team won the Back Office Support Team of the Year Award at the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP – now the Recruitment and Employment Confederation – REC) at first year of nomination.

Life Sciences recruitment specialist Compass Life Sciences is launched.

Compass Life Sciences created to address the Life Sciences recruitment markets, with David Jolley joining with a background of recruitment at the likes of AstraZeneca, Eli Lily, and Roche – targeting the international Life Sciences markets.

In the first year of entering, CHG win HealthInvestor’s Recruiter of the Year Award.

CHG are proud recipients of HealthInvestor’s Recruiter of the Year Award in June 2017 in our first year of nomination – judges cited outstanding commitment to the sector and best-in-class recruitment offering as the key stand-out features.

Back Office recruitment specialist Compass Corporate Services launched.

Originally an operating division within Compass Associates, CCS – Compass Corporate Services expanded as a standalone brand dedicated to staffing for Back Office functions across the Health, Social Care and Education sectors.

CHG headcount passes 50 at the close of 2015.

By December 2015, CHG headcount accelerates past 50 total employees with an established presence for both Compass Associates and Compass Executives brands; along with a Back Office team supporting day-to-day operations.

Compass Associates opens Manchester Office to strengthen Northern presence.

In early 2013, the Manchester Office is opened to ensure full market coverage offered by Compass Associates across the whole of the UK for all divisions operating within Compass Associates.

After just under two years’ in operation, CHG records growth to 20 staff.

The Portsmouth Office headcount has grown rapidly to 20 FTE, seeing the development of the Elderly Care division, creation of the Specialist Services division, then General Healthcare division.

Compass Executives brand created and launched to accommodate C-suite search offering.

Led by Sam, Compass Executives launched to accommodate senior appointments across the Private Equity backed Health, Care and Education industries; with a core focus on C-suite mandates.

Compass Associates is officially launched in January 2010.

Mike Jeffreys, Chris Russell and Sam Leighton-Smith establish and launch founding brand, Compass Associates from the Portsmouth office at the turn of 2010 – growing to five headcount by the end of the year.