The Search firm we never found

Built by real talent leaders

Between us, we've built and led Talent and Executive Search inside companies like Dyson, the BBC and Aston Martin Formula One — hiring some of the most complex, high-stakes leadership positions in the world.

We created Barker Owen to be the external partner we never had as in-house leaders ourselves, inspired by over 40 years of experience. Delivering complex searches cross-functionally and globally - to the standard world-class, internal Executive Search teams expect.

We know what good hiring looks like - because we’ve lived with the consequences of bad hiring and can’t help but think like Talent leaders, not recruiters. Our clients benefit from expert partnering shaped by over 40 years of leadership hiring.

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  • Leadership Levels

    • C-Suite, Executive

    • VP & Director

    • Functional Directors & Heads

    Cross-Functional

    • Corporate Functions

    • Design & Engineering

    • Research & Science

    • Supply Chain & Manufacturing

    • Robotics & Software

    • Digital, Data & AI

    • Sales & Marketing

    • Academia

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A trusted extension of you

The biggest hiring mistakes rarely come from a lack of technical capability. They come from misjudging leadership style, cultural fit, and a person's ability to help a business achieve what's next.

That's why we challenge assumptions, share honest opinions, and sometimes explain why the obvious candidate isn't the right one — or why an unexpected candidate is.

We have a deep appreciation for internal complexity, ambiguity and pressure. When you work with us, you have us operating as a trusted and dedicated extension of you, deeply invested in your goals and challenges.

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Sam Barker (MCIPD) | Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Led Talent and Executive Search at Dyson, Aston Martin F1, BBC Studios,  Fortescue-WAE, Colt Technologies and Danone.

Sam has delivered hundreds of highly confidential, high profile Executive and Board placements partnering some of the most innovative business leaders worldwide. 

Most recently Sam modernised Talent Acquisition at Aston Martin F1 including hyper-niche hiring such as Aerodynamics.

Superpower: Gets straight to the heart of the issue — pinpointing the real performance drivers, stakeholder dynamics and outcomes that matter.

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Dave Owen | Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Executive Search Partner by trade turned Global Head of Talent Acquisition and future of work enthusiast and startup advisor.

Dave has been a Talent Strategy Advisor to the BBC and innovative HR/AI tech startups and is a former VC-backed Founder himself.

Over the last few years Dave has been delivering hyper-niche hiring as well as advising enterprise clients on their HR technology, AI use and operating model.

Superpower: Creatively leveraging technology to deliver deep research, often for roles that have never existed before.

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Get in touch

Interested in working with us? You can connect on LinkedIn or at info@barkerowen.com