Behind every great leader is someone making the impossible look easy
Portland Search
Personal and Executive Assistant Search
Portland Search is a boutique staffing consultancy specialising in the placement of exceptional Personal Assistants and Executive Assistants. We work across private households, family offices, start-ups, large corporates, tech, media, and with HNW individuals — placing the kind of people who make everything run better. Founded in 2019 by Georgia McMillan, we exist for those who understand that the right person makes all the difference.
About Us:
Georgia McMillan, Founder
Before placing exceptional assistants, Georgia was one.
With twelve years working as a Personal and Executive Assistant to UHNW individuals, family offices and C-suite executives, Georgia knows exactly what it takes to deliver seamless, high-level support. She's been in the room. She understands the pace, the pressure, and the standard expected at the top.
That experience is what makes Portland Search different. Georgia doesn't just match CVs to job specs — she matches people. Capability matters, but so does chemistry. The best placements work because the fit is right on every level.
She founded Portland Search in 2019 with a simple conviction: the right person makes all the difference. That belief shapes every search she takes on.
How we work
Finding the right person takes more than a database search. It takes time, judgement, and a genuine understanding of what you need — not just on paper, but in practice. This is how we do it.
Consultation
Every search begins with a conversation, not a form. We take the time to understand your role in full — the responsibilities, the pace, the working dynamic, and the kind of person who will genuinely thrive in your world. We want to know how you work, what matters to you, and where previous hires have fallen short. No brief is too specific. The more we understand, the better we place.
Search
We don't post and wait. We go directly to our network — a carefully cultivated community of exceptional assistants built over years of specialist recruitment and industry experience. Every candidate is personally interviewed and rigorously assessed against your brief before their name is ever put forward. You won't hear from us until we have someone worth talking about.
Introduction
We present a considered shortlist of no more than three candidates at a time. Not because we can't find more, but because we don't believe in volume for its own sake. Every person we introduce has been chosen with intention — because we genuinely believe they are right for you.
Placement & Beyond
Our involvement doesn't end at offer stage. We guide you through contracts, negotiations, and the trial period — navigating any bumps along the way with discretion and care. And long after the placement is made, we remain available. Because we're in the business of building lasting relationships, not closing transactions.
Your Questions, Answered
How long does a search typically take?
Every search is different, but most placements are made within four to six weeks from the initial consultation. For more senior or specialist roles, we'd rather take the time to get it right than rush to fill a brief.
Do you specialize in certain industries?
We work across a wide range of sectors and environments — tech, media, TV, finance, and large corporates, as well as private individuals, UHNW households, and family offices. We also specialise in placing travelling assistants for principals who require support both at home and on the road. If you need someone exceptional, the industry you're in is rarely a barrier. We also work globally on international placements.
How do your fees work?
We charge a percentage of the candidate's annual salary, agreed upfront and tailored to the complexity of the search. Depending on the role and your requirements, we work on either a retained or contingency basis — we'll discuss what makes most sense for you during our initial conversation. There are no hidden costs and no surprises.
What Our Clients Say
Tech Founder, Series B SaaS Company "Georgia found us an EA who had everything under control before we even knew what we needed. Game-changing hire."
Principal, Single Family Office "Discreet, thorough, and genuinely understood what we were looking for. Portland Search got it right first time."
Managing Director, Global Investment Bank "We'd tried other agencies. Portland Search was a different experience entirely — they sent us one candidate. She was perfect."
