Recommendations for Good Professional Practice

FEX provides recommendations on ethical standards and professional conduct in the executive search industry, ensuring that clients can trust FEX member firms during joint engagements. FEX maintains and develops professional practices and industry standards.

FEX member firms exceed both industry norms and client expectations. They represent and adhere to ethical guidelines and operate with transparency in their field. Members are committed to these high-level professional practices, acting in the best interest of their clients, candidates, the broader community, and stakeholders.

Our professional practices apply to executive search as well as consulting in leadership and board work. The standards guide our member firms in their consulting roles as trusted advisors to their clients.

INTEGRITY

FEX members partner with clients on assignments to identify, assess, and help select leaders.
Success in these partnerships depends on strong mutual commitment and trust among all parties – the consultant, the client, and the candidate. Integrity is the foundation of trust. FEX members are committed to open and honest conduct.

They communicate transparently and regularly throughout the assignment. At the start of an assignment, clients and consultants agree in writing on specific terms, including scope of work, confidentiality, potential conflicts of interest, roles and responsibilities, consulting fees, and payment schedule.

For executive search assignments, key agreements should include:

• Reference checks

• Psychometric assessments used in candidate evaluation

• Guarantee to replace the selected candidate within an agreed timeframe

• Fee structure and payment terms

• Off-limits policies

Our members are committed to treating all candidates respectfully, regardless of religion, gender, culture, ethnicity, or other backgrounds, and to promoting equality and diversity. This includes keeping candidates informed about their status and opportunities during the process. When candidates undergo psychometric assessments, it must be clearly communicated how results will be shared with both the client and the candidate. FEX members also take responsibility for communicating unexpected developments during the assignment. They encourage all parties to be fully transparent.

Integrity is the most essential principle of the FEX guidelines and the guiding standard of FEX. A FEX member must never compromise it for any reason. Our commitment to integrity is absolute.

EXCELLENCE

FEX members focus on their clients' business needs. They provide high-quality consultative services using proven and recognized methods.

They act as industry leaders and set the standard for others in the field.

Members commit to delivering a deep understanding of the client's business and strong methodological expertise in every assignment. Delivering an outstanding client experience begins with understanding the client's business needs and organizational culture.

In executive searches, FEX members collaborate with clients by conducting a thorough needs assessment, defining the role, and developing a search strategy. They also jointly define cultural and diversity considerations, as well as the desired skills, competencies, and experience necessary for success in the role.

"Excellence" means members are thorough in their work, operate based on clear agreements, and ensure that all employees are aware of FEX's professional practices and standards.

OBJECTIVITY & INDEPENDENCE

FEX members serve their clients as trusted advisors and carry out assignments with complete impartiality and independence.

Ethical principles guide every part of their consulting work, whether in executive search, assessments, or leadership development.

In executive search, members use independent judgment when identifying and evaluating candidates. Every candidate is assessed through a thorough process agreed upon in advance by the consultant and client. Assessments are performed with professionalism and impartiality.

DIVERSITY

FEX members value strong leadership regardless of ethnic background, religion, gender, culture, or other characteristics. Member firms actively promote diversity through their operations.

As trusted advisors, FEX members provide counsel that includes understanding the competitive landscape and the value of diverse leadership as a competitive advantage. Members aim to leverage diversity and their advisory role to help clients build strategic advantages.

They support clients in reaching diversity goals through succession planning, executive search, and board or leadership consulting.

Since there is constant competition for top leadership talent, successful organizations must attract and retain top candidates. FEX members help clients identify and select capable leaders, support their onboarding, and thereby contribute to building effective and inclusive organizational cultures.

CONFIDENTIALITY

FEX members respect all confidential information shared by clients and candidates. These relationships are built on trust.

Members protect all sensitive information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. They maintain solid risk management protocols and treat all client and candidate data with strict confidentiality.

Information related to assignments is used only as needed, with the consent of the client or candidate, and strictly within the context of the assignment. No information is ever shared outside the assignment or used for personal gain.

AVOIDING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

FEX members have an ethical obligation to avoid conflicts of interest with clients and to resolve such situations by mutual agreement or by withdrawing from the assignment.

They conduct thorough conflict checks before entering into agreements with clients. Members are proactive in setting ground rules, protecting their clients, and safeguarding themselves against potential conflicts.

If a conflict arises during an assignment that could compromise the member's ability to carry it out objectively, the member must immediately inform the client of the changed circumstances and seek resolution. If an agreement cannot be reached, the member will withdraw from the assignment rather than compromise their integrity.

CLIENT & CANDIDATE SATISFACTION

FEX members are committed to ensuring not only excellent client experiences but also outstanding candidate experiences. They evaluate and measure both regularly as part of their executive search processes. If issues are identified, members are committed to addressing and correcting them promptly.