What We’ve Learnt from Hiring Chief of Staff Roles in London

Over the past few months, we’ve had the opportunity to partner with several London-based founders and CEOs to hire their Chief of Staff. It’s a role that’s grown rapidly in profile and importance, but also one that’s often misunderstood. Each search has been different, but together they’ve revealed some consistent patterns, and valuable lessons for any business considering making this hire.

The Rise of the Chief of Staff in London

More London companies, particularly founder-led start-ups and scaling SMEs, are exploring the Chief of Staff position as they grow. The role sits at the intersection of strategy, execution, and influence. It’s designed to create headspace for the founder, keep priorities moving, and ensure communication and decision-making are aligned across the business.

However, what “Chief of Staff” means varies dramatically. For some, it’s a commercial operator who supports strategic projects and OKR delivery; for others, it’s a trusted right-hand responsible for internal operations, people, and culture. That’s why clarity is key before you begin any search.

What We’ve Seen Across Recent Hires

Our recent searches across London have revealed three common themes:

1. Backgrounds are diversifying.
   We’re seeing former Executive Assistants, Operations Managers, and Strategy Managers all transition successfully into Chief of Staff roles. The most successful hires aren’t always those with the exact job title before, they’re those who have previously thrived in ambiguity, built processes from scratch, and understand what it means to work alongside a founder.
2. The role has become more commercially focused.
   Where the Chief of Staff was once seen as purely operational, London founders are increasingly seeking individuals who can drive initiatives, analyse performance, and bring a commercial lens to leadership decisions.
3. Personality and chemistry matter more than ever.
   The relationship between a founder and their Chief of Staff must be rooted in trust. Candidates who succeed tend to be calm, emotionally intelligent, and highly self-aware, capable of both challenging and supporting their leader in equal measure.

Challenges We Often See

One of the biggest challenges we encounter is defining the scope of the role. Businesses sometimes begin a search before deciding whether they need strategic partnership, operational rigour, or a hybrid of both. Another challenge is ensuring the Chief of Staff has the authority to make things happen, rather than being caught in the middle of senior teams without real decision-making power.

Our Advice for Founders Considering the Role

• Start with what outcomes you want this person to deliver, rather than the job title.
• Be open to varied backgrounds; great Chiefs of Staff don’t all look the same on paper.
• Give the role real access and influence.
• Ensure both the founder and Chief of Staff have a clear framework for communication and feedback from the outset.

Why This Role Matters More Than Ever

The Chief of Staff role in London is evolving quickly. For fast-growth companies, it can be a transformative hire provided the purpose and structure are clear. As with any relatively new and increasingly popularised position, some of the best talent in the market are now looking to step into it.

In the UK, and London in particular, businesses have a real opportunity to shape what this role looks like. It’s a role that is both strategic and commercial; it’s not a direct step up from an Executive Assistant position, but many EAs possess the right skillset, mindset, and operational grounding to transition successfully.

For founders and leaders, this presents an exciting moment. By defining the Chief of Staff role with clarity and intent, companies can attract exceptional individuals who not only drive execution but also help set direction. This is a pivotal opportunity for the UK hiring market to embrace and define one of the most influential business support roles of the future.

If you’re considering hiring a Chief of Staff in London, or simply want to understand whether now is the right time for your business, our team would be happy to share more insights from recent searches.