Enhanced Code of Conduct

Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms

Odgers Berndtson are founder-signatories to the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms.

We are accredited in the Enhanced Code segment, a position we have held since the Code was first developed in 2011.

Recognised for our work supporting FTSE 350 organisations, we adhere to a higher standard of best practice on gender-equal selection.

Our Commitment 

FTSE 350 gender diversity statistics 2024 

The FTSE Women Leaders Review 2025 reported that women hold 43.4% of board roles in the FTSE 350.

In 2024, again we continued to succeed in our appointments of women to FTSE 350 boards across executive and non-executive roles.

• 53% of appointees were women.
• 3 in four of the women we helped introduce to a FTSE350 board were new to that community.

Our initiatives to support and develop a diverse talent pipeline

We continually seek to expand our knowledge of and exposure to aspiring board directors. We do this through launching and hosting internally developed programmes, as well as supporting external initiatives, amongst which are:

• Sponsorship of the Next Generation NED Network, an initiative organised by Simmons & Simmons aimed at high-potential executives who are considering becoming non-executive directors.
• Hosted events by our sector and functional practices, targeted at talented executives who have the potential to progress into executive and non-executive board roles.
• The creation and running of multi-faceted, year-long mentoring programmes to champion diverse future leaders. These are currently being run for the procurement function, up-and-coming finance directors, the technology sector, and the food & drink industry.

Candidate Charter

What you can expect from Odgers Berndtson

Talented people are our lifeblood. Whether we approach you about a specific opportunity, or you contact us to share your biography and career ambitions, we want you to have a constructive experience of engaging with Odgers Berndtson.
We recognise that we have a commitment to you as well as to our client, and we undertake that our dealings with you will be professional, courteous, rigorous and honest.

We will: 

• Approach you after considered analysis, and in relation to roles where we think there is a strong match. Your time is valuable, we don’t want to waste it.
• Work to make your candidacy as strong as it can be.
• Represent you effectively and discreetly to our client, based on accurate information that you give us in confidence.
• Be inclusive, open and fair-minded.
• Keep you informed, communicate outcomes promptly, and giving fair and honest feedback where we can.
• Celebrate your success in the event of a successful outcome, and share any lessons in the event of disappointment.
• Take a long-term view, recognising that you have a multi-year view of your own career. Where possible, we will help you fulfil your ambitions.
• Embrace continuous improvement, for example by carrying out regular independent audits of those we shortlist for roles.

If ever you feel we have not lived up to the letter or spirit of this charter, please tell us. We want to know. Email KScrope.CEO@odgersberndtson.com .