Atara Partners - Executive Search That Delivers

A Founders First Approach from your Community Driven Partner.

Atara Partners are the executive search firm that specialises in helping founders of high-growth tech companies build world-class leadership teams. We understand the unique challenges of scaling a business and partner closely with founders to identify and secure leaders who can unlock growth, bring clarity, and strengthen the company’s foundations. Our founder-first approach, deep sector expertise, and relentless focus on impact, make us the first-choice search partner for ambitious tech startups and scaleups across Europe and the US.

Our unique founder community offers more than hiring solutions. It’s a support network where technology leaders exchange insights, share challenges, and grow together. By choosing us, you're joining a movement of collaboration and success, our celebrated Founders Circle community epitomises our way of working, bringing together Founders to help them grow through the power of community.

By putting founders at the centre of everything we do. We’re more than just recruiters, we’re trusted advisors who understand your unique challenges and share your commitment to success.

Let’s work together.

Our fully retained Executive Search offering has been honed over many years and is built on our extensive networks and community approach, benefitting from our exclusive partnership with the C-Level thought leadership platform HotTopics.ht.
‍
With our insistence on full stakeholder engagement and our industry leading sprint-based research and mapping methodology, coupled with our community driven approach, wider network and constant engagement with the technology industry, Atara Search has delivered the most talented and culture-fit ready executives for our clients, time and time again.

The Atara Scale offering fulfils the requirement of scaling teams and compliments the Search division by providing our clients with high performing individuals needed to create impactful environments to drive businesses forward.
‍
We understand the importance of hiring the right team members in the critical scale-up phase and work exhaustively to fully understand the individuals and skill sets required. Utilising our unrivalled network and communities, both for referrals and direct approaches and working at a pace commensurate with success, we ensure key hires for our clients.

Our mission —

Case Studies

Atara Partners was born out of the desire to move away from the deficiencies surrounding the outdated way executive search is carried out. Away from the limited database, away from the concept that you can’t be a good headhunter until you’ve been around for 45 years. Away from promising clients one thing and giving them something else entirely.

CASE STUDY —

Klarna CFO

We can design your most wild ideas but not only that we can also make the development of them no matter if that is an app or a web service.

Case Study—

Hunt for Lightspeed CTO

We can design your most wild ideas but not only that we can also make the development of them no matter if that is an app or a web service.

Learn More

CASE STUDY —

Deeptech Labs CFO landed.

We can design your most wild ideas but not only that we can also make the development of them no matter if that is an app or a web service.

View more case studies

branding

Choc Zero

We Managed to Increase Revenue 250%

Duis condimentum turpis vel pretium dapibus erat orci aliquam purus, id convallis ante mauris id justo.

Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan

I'm Very Pleased With Toleka Template

Porta vulputate velit ut auctor. Suspendisse at lorem nec orci dictum accumsan. Nunc sodales rutrum tincidunt.

design

Earth Bar

We Develop a Delivery Database On Webflow

Duis condimentum turpis vel pretium dapibus erat orci aliquam purus, id convallis ante mauris id justo.

Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan

I'm Very Pleased With Toleka Template

Porta vulputate velit ut auctor. Suspendisse at lorem nec orci dictum accumsan. Nunc sodales rutrum tincidunt.

Social Media

Candle Soul

We Create a More Appealing Visual Brand

Duis condimentum turpis vel pretium dapibus erat orci aliquam purus, id convallis ante mauris id justo.

Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan

I'm Very Pleased With Toleka Template

Porta vulputate velit ut auctor. Suspendisse at lorem nec orci dictum accumsan. Nunc sodales rutrum tincidunt.

web design

Positive Enery

We Build an Interactive Web Experience

Duis condimentum turpis vel pretium dapibus erat orci aliquam purus, id convallis ante mauris id justo.

Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan

I'm Very Pleased With Tolka Template

Porta vulputate velit ut auctor. Suspendisse at lorem nec orci dictum accumsan. Nunc sodales rutrum tincidunt.

The Team

The team behind Atara Partners has 60 years of experience partnering with many of the World's fastest-growing technology, privately and publicly owned, listed companies.

Jody Saunders

CEO & Co-founder

As the CEO & co-founder of Atara Partners, Jody is on a mission to disrupt the sector and improve the reputation of the executive search industry.

As a former COO of a leading technology executive search company with 15 years of experience, he has a clear understanding of exactly what needs to be done.

VIew Linkedin

Robert Taylor

Partner & Co-founder

A co-founder of Atara Partners, Robert has built a reputation for delivering executive search for some of the fastest-growing privately and publicly owned companies.

Robert's passion is partnering with clients throughout their journey to deliver competitive advantage and fulfil clients’ business goals.

VIew Linkedin

Philip Bossonney

Partner

Philip has been in the executive search industry working with clients across EMEA and the US for the past 8 years. His focus has been on placing Software Engineering and Product execs in investor backed businesses – across both Venture Capital &Private Equity.

Having grown up in Detroit, Michigan – he eventually moved to Paris, France with his family in 2005 and then found his way over to London soon after. He likes Golf, Music, Dogs, Cats, and poker. Philip is Grade 8 Pianist & a Division 3Amateur Roller Hockey player in the UK.

VIew Linkedin

Ellie Glover

Senior Principal

With nearly 10 years' experience in the Tech Executive Search field, Ellie has developed specialist experience across the entire C-Suite and with trusted Venture Capital Partners.

Ellie has built lasting professional relationships across her entire career by injecting her unique passion and personality into every conversation.

VIew Linkedin

Li Yen

Principal

Li Yen enjoys taking early-stage founding teams through the next phase oftheir journey by connecting them with great talent and watching successful partnerships flourish. Knowing that these hires will propel the business to the next level is incredibly rewarding, and witnessing such rapid transformation is what excites her the most. Her core expertise lies in TechEngineering.

Beyond professional life, Li Yen looks forward to going home to her 2young children and husband.

VIew Linkedin

Helia Alberto Monteiro

Senior Associate

Delivery focused senior associate, with a proven record of success within dynamic VC and PE backed business spanning from E-commerce, Fintech to EdTech industries. Over 5 years of dedicated expertise in headhunting, blending a focus of Technology and Product leaders and general recruitment at the C-suite, VP and Head of level. Market mapping, candidate identification, approaching, qualification and assessment are all the things I do with great passion because I care. I care about my team’s success, the client’s satisfaction and the candidate's experience.

VIew Linkedin

Lubana Khan

Consultant

Lubana’s expertise lies within the realm of technology and the financial services world in contingent recruitment.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Business from the University of Essex. Her experiences include acting as an account manager, delivery consultant and client relationship manager and several years of consulting experience.
Outside of work, she spends a lot of time baking with her cat.

VIew Linkedin

Karla Cloete

Marketing Manager

Karla Cloete is a South African writer, creative fiction fellow and social media manager. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology and English, an honours degree in psychology and an honours degree in creative writing. She is currently pursuing a Bpsyc Equiv Degree and will be qualified as a Registered Counsellor.

She has written for platforms worldwide, like ArtsHelp a platform dedicated to furthering the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals through art and To EmpowHER which aims to uplift South African women. She is an avid reader, painter and debate coach.

VIew Linkedin

Sheetal Mehta Walsh

Advisory Partner

Sheetal has 25 years of experience as a global founder, investor and board member. She is especially passionate about technology that positively delivers and affects global communities.

Currently Sheetal serves as Chief Strategy Officer for the Government of Alberta focussed on Innovation and previously she served as Deal Maker by appointment to the British Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme.

She created the World’s first corporate innovation arm for Microsoft in Silicon Valley and scaled the operations in EMEA with a base in London.

VIew Linkedin

Philip Randerson

Chairman

Philip is a serial entrepreneur and former CEO & Founder of a number of leading technology executive search firms.

Today he is the Founder & CEO of HotTopics.ht the thought leadership platform that connects a global community of 15K C-Level executives through content and events.

He also sits on the board of a number of companies including tech start-ups.

VIew Linkedin

Carl Schreiter

Executive Coach & Advisor

He delivers his work by combining ancient wisdom oratory tradition with modern science and research-based analysis, enabling business leaders to improve their persuasive powers and influence people in a way that drives the right decisions and behaviours. His client base covers the UK, Continental Europe and the Americas (USA, Canada and Mexico). Recent and current clients include high-value manufacturers, start-ups, entrepreneurs and professional services organizations.

‍Carl is an experienced coach and adviser with more than 25 years in communications, leadership and business development coaching. His distinctive approach is transformational and ensures that management teams and key decision-makers communicate and perform consistently, ensuring the best possible outcomes are achieved.

VIew Linkedin

Why Atara Partners?

Community approach

Our relationship with HotTopic.ht gives us access to unrivalled global C-Level communities

Transparent fees

Working on fixed fees ensures you know how much your hire will cost and removes any bias from the process

Sprint based research

We work with start-ups, like start-ups, aligning our pace with yours, because momentum is key

Industry leading guarantee

We offer a six-month free replacement on all of our placements for your peace of mind

Team

We promise you a full recruitment team at all stages from start to finish of your hire

Communication clarity

How do you communicate? Slack? Teams? We align with what’s best for you every time

Our Partners

HotTopics brings together C-suite leaders from internationally recognised organisations. From global meets at iconic venues, to intimate private dining experiences, and from exclusive virtual Masterclasses to visionary C-suite awards, the HotTopics' communities gain insights, experiences and connections necessary to thrive across innovation, business strategy and leadership.

HotTopics.ht

Atara is proud to be one off 700+ signatories of government-supported and industry-led group, Tech Talent Charter. TTC aims to grow talent and increase DEI in the tech industry at all levels.

TechTalentCharter.co.uk

The Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) is an independent non-profit organisation connecting companies across Norway and the UK. Their mission is to promote trade relations and investment between these business communities, while also offering networking opportunities to its members.

nbccuk.com

The DKUK is a well-established community focused on connecting people, knowledge sharing, and increasing their member’s visibility. This is done with a variety of social, cultural and business focused events and keeping everyone connected through the sharing of news, offers and announcements.

dkuk.org

Ezekia provides business development tracking tools, manages assignments and potential candidates. Their tailored executive search platform, provides one touch, seamless client and candidate interaction.

Ezekia

Emplomind was born out of experience and passion for changing the world - starting with employees' peace of mind. They came up with a solution they needed themselves. They have experience in the technology industry and are on a mission to normalise mental health at work and beyond.

Emplomind

What people Say

People say nice things about us, you can read them here

“The Atara team have supported our search for a US Global Head of sales across our business units. We were able to quickly get a compelling set of candidates and work through the shortlist resulting in a very successful hire”

Giles Whiting

COO, Forsta

“They are extraordinary partners in helping you find great people to add to your team”

Adrian Valeriano

Senior Vice President & MD EMEA, Lightspeed

"Having worked with Atara Partners across 6 successful hires in both Europe and the US, we have found a partner that perfectly fits with us here at Cyncly. From the initial briefing to finalising our hires, the team at Atara have always been proactive, flexible, consultative and incredibly driven to provide us with the best intelligence from the market, leading to the best fitting hires for us.I’d highly recommend working with Jody, Rob and the Atara team for your executive hiring as a group of people you can trust to get the job done properly for you"

Steve Hopkins

Chief Customer Success Officer Cyncly

“The early litmus test was to understand Robs nous on both retrospective and forward looking growth outside of what the business was looking for in a new candidate. This was evident early and bred confidence into the overall process"

Roy Jugessur

EVP EMEA & APAC, Thunderhead

Features and news

Our thought provoking and informative series of interviews and features with some of the most innovative, influential, and outright interesting leaders and organisations out there today set us apart. Our friendly journalist, Casper Barnes, delves deeply into the backgrounds and experiences of our guests and finds out what has driven and influenced them on their extraordinary journeys to becoming some of the best Business Leaders in the World today.