Blackgate is a leadership capital business. We place proven operators — CEOs, CFOs, Chairs and Operating Partners — into the roles that reduce execution risk and decide a hold.
Four questions. An indicative read in two minutes.
Not “we recruit CEOs.” The question is always execution risk — and who reduces it.
Tell us about the business, the challenge in front of you, and what is getting in the way. We score three axes: how much depends on a small number of people, whether the team can deliver the plan, and whether governance matches the stage you are at.
You get a short report by email and, if it is useful, 30 minutes with Joe to talk it through.
Start the assessmentIndicative, based on your answers. Not a diagnostic.
How much of the business depends on a small number of individuals. The single largest discount a buyer applies.
Whether the current team can deliver the plan on the timeline it assumes.
Whether board, reporting and oversight match the stage the business is at.
We start with the deal, the hold and the value-creation plan — not a job spec.
The measurable outcomes the appointment must deliver, and the operator profile that delivers them.
Every leader is validated — track record, references and judgement — before they reach you.
A short list of proven operators from our network. People you couldn't easily find yourself.
We stay close through the first 100 days — the period that decides the appointment.
You enter an opportunity. Executives apply. Only those who pass all three reach your desk — validated, not merely available.
Our engine scores every executive 0–100 against your brief — capability, sector, seniority and fit. Weak fits never advance.
An AI-led conversation probes leadership style, commercial judgement and motivation — captured, summarised and scored for your review.
A final human assessment. Joe personally meets every candidate before any introduction. His judgement is the last gate.
Blackgate is not a database of candidates. It is a validated network of proven operators, introduced with judgement — the leaders who move only through private, trusted channels.
Proof before the introduction — not a CV in an inbox.
Proven operators who move only through trusted, confidential channels.
Discreet from first contact through to appointment.
We recently advised against three appointments before recommending one.
Capital comes from investors. Leadership comes from us. Our work is allocating leadership capital to the opportunities that need it most — where the right operator is the difference between a good deal and a great one.
Four questions, an indicative read on where your leadership risk sits, and a 30-minute session with Joe to talk it through.