Executive Recruitment Cyprus, EMEA
Executive Recruitment for FinTech, Crypto, Finance, Tech & High-Growth Companies
Finding the right leader is one of the most decisive moments in a company’s trajectory. At Emerald Zebra, we specialise in executive and senior leadership search for regulated and high-growth organisations across FinTech, Crypto, FX/CFDs, Payments, RegTech, Banking, Technology and iGaming.
Our work is partner-led, discreet, research-driven and designed to deliver leaders who bring clarity, steady execution and measurable results.
What We Deliver?
Our executive search is led by Donna Stephenson, a recruitment expert with 25+ years of experience.
Director & C-Suite Appointments: CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CTOs, Heads of Dept. NEDs Board Advisory.
Senior Leadership & Functional Heads: those who translate strategy into performance across operations, tech, compliance and growth.
Specialist & Technical Executive Search: high-calibre specialists who combine domain depth with strategic acumen.
Interim Leadership: seasoned executives who steer through transformation, scaling or exit phases.
Confidential, Insight-led Executive Search
Why Clients Choose Emerald Zebra for Executive Search
Industry Specialists, Not Generalists
We focus exclusively on sectors where regulation, technology and commercial outcomes intersect.
Our expertise spans:
FinTech • Crypto Exchanges • FX/CFDs & Multi-Asset Brokers • Payments • Banking • RegTech • SaaS • iGaming • Tech Scaleups.
Regulation-Ready Leadership
We understand the hiring requirements for CySEC, FCA, DFSA, VARA, VASP, MiCA, FSC and other regulatory frameworks.
We source executives who combine compliance credibility with commercial performance.
Partner-Led Delivery, End-to-End
Your search is handled personally by senior consultants, not delegated.
We work directly with founders, boards and investors on confidential mandates locally and internationally.
Global Reach, Local Insight
With a strong Cyprus base and vast EMEA/APAC talent networks, we deliver leadership talent across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Measured, Data-Driven Results
We use structured scorecards, market mapping and behavioural competency assessment models.
Our retention rate and executive performance feedback consistently exceed expectations.
Roles We Recruit
C-Suite & Directors
CEO, COO, CFO, CTO, CRO, CPO; Board-level and Exec Committee leadership.
Senior Leadership
Heads of Engineering, Product, Compliance, Risk, Operations, Growth.
Specialist Executives
Subject-matter CXO leaders and NEDs with depth and commercial impact.
Interim & Transformation
Experienced leaders for scale-up, change, M&A, and market entry.
Sector Precision
Deep focus in FinTech, Payments, FX/CFD, Crypto, SaaS, regulated tech.
Data-driven
Shortlists guided by compensation benchmarks and workforce intelligence.
Partner-led
Senior delivery end-to-end. No volume model. No hand-offs. Agreed timelines, progress checkpoints, and clear communication.
Local + global
Cyprus market depth with reach across EMEA & UK.
Retention in focus
Onboarding follow-through and guarantee period for continuity.
Start Your Leadership Search
Finding the right executive requires depth, precision and confidentiality.
Whether you’re building a C-suite, expanding globally, or strengthening regulatory governance, we can help.
Hire Leaders with Emerald Zebra
Where we add the most value
New market entry or Cyprus build-out (it’s where we’re based and it’s often who we know)
Spin-out, restructuring, or post-merger integration
Scale-up leadership for product, engineering, or operations
Regulatory uplift in risk, compliance, and governance
For Executive Candidates
If you are a senior leader exploring discreet opportunities in fintech, crypto, banking, or technology, we welcome confidential discussions.
PROVEN TRACK RECORD
With over two decades of expertise, Emerald Zebra delivers executive search across Cyprus and global markets, particularly within regulated sectors such as CySEC-regulated investment firms, fintech companies, EMIs, banks, payments companies, and iGaming operators.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Each search begins with a detailed consultation, aligning with your organisational goals. We source candidates from a robust international network, tailored to your location, industry, and regulatory environment, whether you’re hiring in Cyprus, the UK, EMEA, APAC, or LATAM.
IN-DEPTH ASSESSMENT AND CULTURE FIT
We conduct thorough screenings, assessing candidates for cultural alignment and leadership potential. Our screening includes collaborative scorecard development to ensure our shortlist matches your requirements and strategic vision.
A VAST NETWORK
Through our extensive experience, industry referrals, participation in key industry events, and our own HR PowerBreakfast series, we have cultivated a unique network of C-Level Executives, Founders, Board Members and transformational leaders.
ANNUAL SALARY SURVEYS
Our annual salary surveys offer data-driven insights into local compensation trends, especially for C-level positions in fintech, finance, tech, and gaming. This expertise ensures competitive, well-informed hiring decisions.
Whether you’re looking to secure an Executive Director, NED, CEO, CFO, or a Head of Department, Emerald Zebra provides the connections and insights necessary to place the right leader at the helm of your organization.
A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP NEEDS
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Executive recruitment involves identifying, attracting, and hiring senior-level professionals, such as CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives, to lead organisations. This specialised process requires in-depth industry knowledge to match high-caliber candidates with the strategic needs of the company, ensuring effective leadership and organisational success.
Emerald Zebra offers a bespoke executive search service led by Donna Stephenson. With over 24 years of experience and a robust network in Cyprus and beyond, we are highly adept at identifying and attracting top-tier talent for executive positions.
Our approach combines extensive industry knowledge with a tailored strategy of outreach, attraction and utilisation of our talent pools and networks (built over many years), as well as thorough screening to ensure a perfect match for your company’s needs in the Cyprus market. Our service is swift, smart and delivers in a short time span.
Beyond Cyprus, if you need an executive for your entities elsewhere in the world, try us!
We specialise in executive recruitment across key sectors such as fintech, tech, finance, and iGaming. Our expertise is particularly strong in regulated industries such as CySEC regulated Investment Firms (CIF’s), EMI’s and emerging fintech startups in Cyprus, helping to build high-performing teams to address unique market challenges and drive success.
Donna Stephenson, our founder, brings extensive international experience and has successfully built and led recruitment and outsourcing businesses in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. Her leadership of a multilingual team fluent in English, Greek, Arabic, and French enhances our ability to find top talent globally and tailor our recruitment strategies to meet specific needs within Cyprus and internationally.
Emerald Zebra assists with recruiting a broad range of executive roles, including Executive Directors, NED’s, CEOs, CFOs, Heads of Departments, and other senior leadership positions.
Our services are designed to match top talent with roles that align with their skills, experience, and your company’s culture and strategic goals.
Emerald Zebra is distinguished by our personalised, hands-on approach and vast networks built over two decades. With a proven track record of building teams and a continued presence at a variety of industry conferences as attendees, exhibitors and speakers, plus our own HR PowerBreakfast Events, we continue to enhance our network building a community of HR, Leaders, C-Level Executives and Founders, we offer more than just recruitment services!
Our insights, extensive industry connections, and commitment to leadership best practices make us a unique choice for executive recruitment in Cyprus.
Yes, Emerald Zebra conducts annual data-centric salary surveys in Cyprus, offering up-to-date and relevant salary insights for C-level executives. Our extensive experience and market knowledge ensure that we not only place top talent but also understand their salary expectations, helping you make informed hiring decisions for your executive team.
Yes, Cyprus offers a range of job opportunities across various industries. However, the volume of executive-level opportunities is relatively low, with many such positions filled through local referrals or via intra-company transfers when executives relocate from one country office to another within the same global organisation.
Key sectors include finance, tech, fintech, maritime, gaming, real estate, and professional services. The country’s strategic location, business-friendly environment, attractive taxation, and growing economy attract both local and international companies, creating a diverse job market.
Ensure you are contacted when a relevant executive opportunity arises by forwarding your CV to Emerald Zebra. We adhere to strict confidentiality, business ethics protocols, and GDPR compliance, assuring you that your CV and personal information will not be shared with any third party without your prior consent.
To start the executive search process, contact us via our form or email us directly. We will schedule an initial consultation to understand your specific needs and discuss how our bespoke executive search services can help you secure the right leadership talent for your organisation in Cyprus.