Retained executive search · GCC, UK and Europe, US
Leaders for data centre and AI infrastructure, from first power to full load.
Retained search for the construction, commissioning, power and grid seats that deliver data centres and AI capacity, and the platform and GPU seats that run them.
- Executive search in energy and EPC at NES Fircroft, Middle East
- Retained mandates for ABB and Schneider Electric, through subsidiaries
- Director and C-suite moves into the Gulf
- A shortlist in 10 working days, in writing
Leading a build, a power programme or a GPU estate, and open to a move? Join the talent network, in confidence.
The seats I fill
The people who build data centres and AI capacity, power them, and run them. Map first, then a consented shortlist.
Data centre development and construction
- Programme director
- Head of construction
- Head of commissioning
Data centre operations and commercial
- Country head
- Operations director
- Commercial director
Power, grid and energisation
- Head of power
- Grid connections lead
- Energisation director
AI infrastructure and GPU platforms
- Head of GPU operations
- VP platform engineering
- Head of HPC networking
Gulf entry leadership
- Country head
- RHQ C-suite
- National leadership shortlist
Investors and platform partners
- Platform CEO
- CFO
- Head of development
The Gulf bridge
The leader you need is often running the same job in another market.
Foreign developers, operators and AI platforms opening in the Gulf need their first leaders before the licence is issued, usually from London, Dublin, Amsterdam or the US. Gulf capital building in the UK, Europe and the US needs leaders there. I work both directions every week: the package, the family questions, the visa, the localisation rules and the timing.
Why clients work with me
Executive search in energy and EPC.
NES Fircroft's Middle East energy and infrastructure practice, where I helped set up the retained executive search process, then data centre delivery searches since.
Retained by ABB and Schneider Electric.
Retained mandates won through subsidiaries that merged into them, at Energy Search Collective: e-mobility, renewables and battery storage leaders across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
C-suite moves into the Middle East.
Director and C-suite leaders relocated into the Gulf, and AI infrastructure searches for platform and GPU teams since 2025. Today I run every search myself.
My promise
- A reply within one business day.
- A shortlist within 10 working days, with the date in writing, on every retained and engaged search.
Retained and engaged. Money on signing.
I work on fewer searches and finish them. The fee on signing buys the talent map, the exclusivity and my diary for your search.
Retained
For leadership seats. The fee is paid in three stages: on signing, on the shortlist and at the start date. Exclusive. Shortlist within 10 working days. 6-month replacement guarantee.
Engaged
For a first search together or a hard specialist seat. A fee on signing, credited in full against the final fee; the balance at the start date. 3 consented people within 10 working days. 90-day guarantee.
In writing first
The fee for your country, the shortlist date and the guarantee, in writing before we start. The people I approach never pay anything.
Start here
What does the seat pay? Ask before you brief.
Tell me the role and the city. I'll benchmark base and allowances against people who have done the job, state the sample size, and tell you how many would consider a move. No fee, no obligation.
Who you deal with
Lloyd Venning, founder. Executive search in energy and EPC at NES Fircroft, retained mandates for ABB and Schneider Electric, C-suite moves into the Middle East, and data centre and AI infrastructure search since. Based in Dubai.
Thank you.
I'll come back within one business day with what I can benchmark for that role and when you'll have it, in writing.
How a retained search runs
Map
Before any introduction, you get a map of the market for the role: who has done it at your stage, where they sit today, what they cost. Sources and sample sizes stated.
Shortlist
I approach the people on the map and bring you the ones who have agreed to be introduced, with a written assessment of each, within 10 working days of the brief.
Start date
I manage the offer, the notice period and the move, including visas and relocation into the Gulf, until the person starts.
How retained search works, and when engaged search fits better
The Hard Seat
A short monthly note on who is hiring across data centres, power and AI infrastructure in the GCC, the UK and Europe, and the US, for what, and what it pays, with sample sizes.
The first issue goes out on Friday 6 November. Sign up and it reaches you that morning, Dubai time.
The Friday brief
Three facts, one project move, one role in demand. Every Friday, by market.
Nearly there. Check your inbox and click the link to confirm. You're on the list after that; the next Friday brief lands on Friday morning, Dubai time.
One seat with no name against it?
Start with the pay benchmark, or tell me the role and the date. I'll come back within one working day with what I see in the market.