A Search Firm Built Around Conviction
We're a founder-led, completely independent executive search firm focused on alternative investments. For more than 20 years, we've answered to one audience: the clients and candidates we serve.
More Than 20 Years. One Focus.
Sean Locke grew up in executive search. His father owned a search firm, and Sean spent much of his early life around the business, even writing his first job ad at the age of ten. He worked alongside his father in New York City, learning the business firsthand. In 2003, Sean founded The Locke Group.
The firm began with a focus across financial services and evolved over time into the retained search firm it is today, focused exclusively on front-office talent across alternative investments. As the firm became more specialized, Sean was equally deliberate about how it grew. The Locke Group has remained small, independent, and partner-led, preserving the direct, hands-on approach that has defined the firm from the beginning.
Founder-Led and Completely Independent - By Design
"We've seen our peers join global brands, sell to bigger companies. We've stayed independent - because that's what lets us answer to our clients first."
Tom Hudson, Partner
A lot has changed in the search industry. Most of our peers have been acquired by global consultancies or bought by private equity investors. Some have diversified into interim staffing or HR consulting. Others have moved upstream into board-level work and away from senior investment hires.
We chose a different path. We've stayed the size we need to be to do the work personally, and we've stayed independent so our only priorities are the searches we've committed to. Every mandate is led by a partner—Sean or Tom—from the diagnostic conversation through the accepted offer. No bait-and-switch. Fewer off-limits restrictions. No junior handoffs.
Four Values That Shape Every Engagement
High Integrity
We tell clients what we think, not what they want to hear. If retained search isn't right for a situation, we say so. If a candidate isn't the right fit, we don't push them forward. Our integrity is our most durable asset.
Market Intelligence
We don't just deliver candidates - we deliver the data around them. Compensation ranges, talent pool structure, competitive positioning, diversity analytics. Every engagement leaves the client with intelligence they can use long after the hire.
True Partnership
We work alongside our clients—embedded in their strategy, aligned with their culture. "Partner" isn't a title on our business cards; it's the nature of the relationship. We build relationships grounded in trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to getting the right result.
Independence
We're founder-led and completely independent - no private equity ownership, no global parent, no competing priorities. We answer to the firms we serve and the candidates we place. That's it.
Over TwentyYears of Focused Work
A snapshot of what a quieter, more focused firm has produced.
Years in Alternative Investments
Search Execution Rate
Days - Fastest Time to Shortlist (VP Credit Search)
Candidates Identified in a Single Credit Search
Time to Shortlist for Data Scientist Search
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"The Locke Group was communicative, transparent, and thorough throughout the entire process. They took the time to understand our firm's needs and culture, which was evident in the quality of candidates they brought forward. I'd absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for a true search partner."
Anthony Siragusa, Vice President, Metropolitan Partners Group
Meet the People Behind the Work
A small firm, by design. Eight people, focused entirely on alternative investments and the firms we serve.
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Let's Discuss Your Search
The first conversation with us is always confidential, always consultative, and never a pitch. Tell us what you're trying to solve - and we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right firm to help.