About Us

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OUR STORY

We’re not your typical executive search firm… and that’s entirely by design

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At Underwood Executive, we exist to uncover the talent that accelerates progress, brings big visions to life and sets new standards for what success looks like.

Founded by Nicole Underwood in 2011, our firm was built on a bold conviction: that executive search could be done differently. Proactive, personal and built on trust, Underwood Executive was created as a high-touch, high-integrity alternative that delivers not just results, but relationships that last.

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It started with a bold move

From a tiny country town of 100 people, Nicole’s instinct to lead showed up early. Ambitious, driven, and disciplined, she was never one to wait for opportunity - she created it. By her early 20s she was running a business, building teams and proving that leadership isn’t about age or title, but mindset. That belief continues to shape everything we do at Underwood Executive.

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Leadership search, reimagined

Headquartered in Adelaide, we deliver national and international executive search solutions across a wide range of industries. We specialise in high-stakes, high-impact leadership appointments (CEO, C-suite, executive and board) where alignment matters and performance is non-negotiable. We don’t just access the top 1% of the market, we know how to engage them, earn their attention and convert interest into commitment.

Our strength lies in our adaptability, bringing deep sector insight, sharp commercial thinking and a proven methodology to every engagement. Backed by rigour, powered by relationships and proven by results, we’ve achieved a 100% placement rate and a 98% retention rate at 12+ months.

TRANSFORM YOUR TALENTPOOL

What drives us

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    Our vision

    We envision a world where all organisations are led by remarkable leaders, the kind who elevate performance, ignite culture and drive a future built on purpose and possibility.

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    Our purpose

    We exist to outthink the market, outmanoeuvre the competition and deliver elite talent to clients who won’t settle for average.

Our values

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    Excellence, always

    Mediocrity isn’t in our vocabulary. We deliver world-class outcomes through discipline, drive and detail.

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    Own your truth

    Authenticity is our edge. We speak up, take ownership and welcome feedback as fuel for growth. No spin, no masks, just real people making a real impact.

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    Be brave, be bold

    We lead with candour and courage. Our clients don’t pay for silence. They trust us to ask smart questions, move fast and act with intent.

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    Loyalty is non-negotiable

    Relationships power results. We build long-term partnerships grounded in respect, discretion and consistency.

PARTNER WITH US
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    Nicole Underwood, Founder & Managing Director

    Nicole Underwood is the Founder and Managing Director of Underwood Executive and a leading executive search advisor to boards, CEOs and owners on CEO, board and C-suite appointments with material organisational impact.

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    Nicole is known for building enduring, high-trust relationships with decision-makers, grounded in discretion, credibility and sound judgement. Her work sits at the intersection of executive search and advisory, partnering closely with leaders on appointments, succession and leadership capability decisions that shape long-term performance. 

    She is particularly sought after for complex and confidential mandates where leadership choices carry strategic, reputational or transformation risk. Nicole leads rigorous, insight-driven search processes designed to identify senior leaders who are rarely active in the market, combining deep local market knowledge with access to national and international talent.

    Under Nicole’s leadership, Underwood Executive has earned national recognition, including Executive Recruiter of the Year and inclusion in LinkedIn’s Top 25 Most Socially Engaged Firms in Asia Pacific. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Management (HR & Marketing), is a Fellow of the Recruitment Consulting Services Association (RCSA), a board member of the RCSA Professional Practice Council and an Executive Mentor with the University of South Australia.

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    Julie Bennett, Associate Director

    Julie Bennett is an Associate Director at Underwood Executive and a trusted senior advisor to boards, CEOs and executives on complex and confidential leadership appointments. She leads executive search engagements end to end, working closely with clients and candidates to deliver appointments aligned to long-term organisational priorities.

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    With more than two decades of executive search and talent acquisition experience across Australia and the United States, Julie brings depth of judgement, rigour and calm authority to every assignment. She is regularly entrusted with high-stakes processes requiring discretion, continuity and absolute professionalism.

    Julie is known for her ability to engage senior leaders, build trust quickly and guide candidates through complex decision-making with clarity and care. This strong candidate advocacy, combined with disciplined and rigorous search execution, consistently results in enduring and well-aligned appointments.

    Julie advises organisations across ASX-listed, government, not-for-profit and privately owned sectors, navigating differing governance, commercial and community contexts. She plays a key role in maintaining quality, consistency and depth across Underwood Executive’s search and advisory work.

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    Nikita Bheem, Consultant

    Nikita Bheem is an executive search and talent strategy consultant at Underwood Executive, playing a critical role in the firm’s executive search and advisory work across complex leadership appointments.

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    Nikita brings more than a decade of experience across executive search, talent acquisition and human resources in Australia and internationally. She is known for her disciplined, insight-driven approach to market mapping, candidate identification and executive assessment, providing clients with a clear, evidence-based view of leadership capability across their market.

    At Underwood Executive, Nikita leads research strategy on search assignments and works directly with clients and candidates to identify, engage and assess senior leaders who are rarely active in the market. She is highly regarded for her ability to represent client organisations with professionalism and discretion, building trust and managing expectations with clarity and transparency.

    Her background includes senior roles with global organisations including PwC Australia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and The Detmold Group, giving her a strong understanding of diverse organisational environments and leadership contexts. Nikita holds a Master of Business Administration (Human Resources) and a Bachelor of Business Administration.

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    Candice Fosse, Administration Coordinator

    Candice Fosse is the Administration Coordinator at Underwood Executive, providing the operational rigour, structure and execution discipline that underpin the firm’s executive search delivery. With more than a decade of experience across professional services, recruitment and executive support environments, Candice plays a critical role in ensuring the business operates seamlessly.

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    Highly organised and detail-driven, Candice enables consultants across all stages of the search process, from candidate coordination and interview logistics through to client documentation, reporting and compliance. She is trusted for her discretion, reliability and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.

    Candice brings strong systems capability, advanced document management skills and a calm, solutions-focused approach to complex workflows. Her background includes supporting senior leaders, managing highly confidential information and maintaining exacting professional standards across client and candidate interactions.

    Known internally as the engine room of the firm, Candice ensures execution certainty, protects confidentiality and enables consultants to focus fully on strategic advisory and client outcomes.