About us

Esker exists because the Office of the CFO has been underserved for too long.

We combine executive search expertise with direct experience from corporate finance, investment banking, and accountancy.

Our team has operated in the environments we recruit for - we understand the investment thesis, the value creation levers, and what separates capable CFOs from transformational ones.

The CFO role has expanded beyond recognition. 75% of PE-backed CFOs leave partway through hold periods. Financial sponsors expect constant exit readiness, yet only 20% of CFOs deliver it. The gap isn't technical competence - it's the value creation mindset that distinguishes exceptional finance leaders.

We focus exclusively on the Office of the CFO because specialisation delivers results.

For sponsors and portfolio companies, we identify leaders who can balance cash management with strategic planning—CFOs who've delivered exits, not just prepared for them.
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For finance leaders, we take time to get to know you personally, deeply and understand where your motivations lie. We provide discreet access to opportunities where your expertise will be recognised and your impact rewarded. We are the antithesis of the traditional search firm.

Your portfolio performance is our track record. We measure success by exits delivered and the leaders who stay to complete them.

Leadership

Richard Adams

Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer

Richard is the CEO of Esker having co-founded the business in 2025 after an international career and track record advising clients on talent strategy and acquisition spanning many sectors from general industrials, to technology and consumer. In that period, Richard has overseen over £250m in talent investment and has led corporate leadership teams through a multitude of challenging and rewarding scenarios from cross-border M&A to change management and corporate turnaround.

His approach to executive search is grounded in behavioural science. With an academic background in competitive sport and psychology, Richard is passionate about how leaders think, adapt, and what drives high performance.

At Esker Richard, leads a practice dedicated exclusively to the Office of the CFO, combining the precision of behavioural science with the pragmatism of capital markets experience. Leadership that fits the mission, not just the role.

John O’Dwyer

Co-founder & Chairman

John is a co-founder of Esker having worked with Richard for a number of years before they decided to partner to create Esker in 2025. Esker is defined by its desire to create an entirely differentiated approach to the unique needs of the Office of the CFO, financial sponsors and Boards - one that is less transactional, less fee-obsessed and rooted in doing a thoughtful and effective job for the person, the portfolio and the investors.

John is a Chartered Accountant having trained with KPMG and possesses undergraduate and postgraduate Degrees in Computer Science, Business and Law. He is a non-executive director, investor and advisor to a number of private businesses and funds in Europe and the US.

About us

Leadership

“We focus exclusively on the Office of the CFO because specialisation delivers results. We look deep into the DNA of the business and the candidate to ensure mutual value creation and alignment from day one - that's the mandate.”