What boards get wrong about CEO succession
Most succession plans name a successor. Few prepare one. The gap is where institutions quietly lose a decade.
Read the piece →Eichel Advisory is an executive search and board advisory firm, trusted by owners and boards who invest in leadership for the long term — not just the vacancy in front of them. We find leaders built to last.
Any firm can hand you a list of a thousand names. The harder job is knowing which one of those names is still the right leader in five years, and that takes more than a database search. It takes context most searches skip, and the discipline to say no to a fit that's merely convenient.
Our searches are deliberate, discreet, and off-market. We meet people long before a client needs them. We tell boards exactly what we think of a shortlist, even when it's not what they want to hear. And we stand behind every leader we send forward — because we're not interested in filling a seat. We're interested in placing a leader that is still right in five years.
A search is not finished when a contract is signed. It is finished when the appointment delivers long-term value.
Transition-era leadership for utilities, manufacturing, construction and the built environment.
Founders, CTOs and commercial leaders for scaling product businesses.
Banking, insurance, fintech and investment leadership built for scrutiny.
Brand, commercial and operating leaders for businesses close to the customer.
Clinical, scientific and operational leadership where rigour is non-negotiable.
Boards, foundations and public bodies that answer to more than a quarter.
Retained search for C-suite and senior leadership, run end to end.
→Chairs, non-executives and committee composition that strengthens governance.
→Structured, evidence-based evaluation of capability and cultural fit.
→Building the bench before you need it, so transitions are never a surprise.
→Proven operators for moments of transition, turnaround or sudden need.
→We focus on what the hire needs to deliver for the business, not just the job description. The brief we agree on becomes the benchmark.
Targeted, confidential outreach across our networks — reaching the people who are not looking, because the best rarely are.
Structured interviews, referencing and evaluation against the real demands of the role, not a checklist of keywords.
A short, honest shortlist you can act on with conviction — and our candid view of who will go furthest.
Onboarding and check-ins through the first year, so the appointment holds and the value compounds.
One-year guarantee. If an appointed candidate does not prove to be the right fit within the first twelve months, Eichel Advisory will find a replacement.
Most succession plans name a successor. Few prepare one. The gap is where institutions quietly lose a decade.
Read the piece →The job you are recruiting for today is not the one the appointee will be doing. Hire for the trajectory, not the title.
Read the piece →A mis-hire rarely fails loudly. It compounds — in attrition, in caution, in the decisions that never get made.
Read the piece →
“Terje Eichelmann's personal experience, from a startup to an international group, gives her a genuine understanding of different roles and business needs. She doesn't just find you likeable candidates — she finds the right leaders and experts, and as a partner she dares to think alongside you and challenge you to reach the best outcome.”
Jan Kotka — COO, Magnetic MRO AS
Every mandate begins with a conversation — confidential, candid, and with no obligation. We'll tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
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10151 Tallinn, Estonia
Looking forward to meeting you at Estonian Defence Week 2026, the second edition: “How to win the Next War?”
Learn more →Eichel Advisory joins Äriplaan 2027 as a supporting partner. The event unites entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss Estonia’s economic outlook and opportunities for 2027. Meet the Eichel Advisory team and exchange ideas.
Learn more →Eichel Advisory is a supporting partner of Äripäev’s County TOP 2026 series, celebrating local business success across Estonia. Join us at four regional events recognising leading companies and entrepreneurs shaping the country’s business landscape.
Learn more →The autumn TOP series culminates with the Äripäev TOP100 Gala, bringing together Estonia’s leading companies and entrepreneurs. The evening recognises the country’s most successful businesses, from top exporters to leading companies in every county, and Eichel Advisory is proud to support it as a partner.
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