Clean Search | Aquatics Executive Search

Executive Search for Aquatic Industries

Global Leadership Talent

Embedded in the Blue Economy

About

Clean Search is a global executive search firm founded by New Zealand-born Mark Peacock, focused exclusively on aquatic industries

Clean Search partners with organisations worldwide to secure leadership talent that drives mission, scale, and operational performance across aquatic enterprises and the blue economy

Sectors

Clean Search provides exceptional leadership talent within these sectors:

Operators

Hatcheries & Broodstock
RAS Aquaculture
Ocean Aquaculture
Marine Research
Public Aquariums & Zoos

Suppliers

RAS & LSS
Data & Analytics
Feed & Nutrition
Design & Engineering
Logistics

Sustainability

Marine Conservation
Ocean Food Systems
Blue Economy
Impact Investing
ESG & Reporting

Functions

Clean Search provides exceptional leadership talent across these job functions:

Strategic

C-Suite & Board
Strategy & Development
Fundraising & IR
External Relations & Policy
Impact Investing

Technical

RAS, LSS, Water Quality
Engineering & Projects
Production Management
Husbandry & Operations
Veterinary & Science

Corporate

Commercial & Revenue
Technology
Sales & Marketing
People & Culture
Legal & Finance

Client Testimonials

Testimonials from organizations where we’ve placed exceptional leaders:

Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans

Higinio Covarrubias, Aquarium Director

“Mark quickly understood our needs and delivered top-tier candidates. His aquatics expertise, responsiveness, and follow-through made the process seamless. I highly recommend him for specialized recruitment support.”

The National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi

Paul Hamilton, General Manager

“Mark brought professionalism, discretion, and deep sector insight to a confidential project. His tailored guidance and strong network made a real impact. I’d confidently recommend him for expert aquatics recruitment.”

California Science Center, Los Angeles

Erin Shusterman, VP

“Mark is exceptionally well connected across the professional aquarium industry and is highly effective at matching candidates with the right organisations. He takes the time to understand the requirements of each role and draws on his extensive networks to identify strong prospects.”

Gran Acuario Mazatlán, Mexico

Simon Norris, CEO

“Mark is a trusted search and advisory partner who understands the realities of our sector and brings a strong international network. His insight and discretion make him a valuable resource for leadership and specialist recruitment.”

Coral World Ocean Park, U.S.V.I.

Kristine Funk, General Curator

“Mark saved me tons of time in recruiting and coordinating with applicants! I also really appreciated how diligently Mark worked with me to find exactly the right candidates. He’s always professional and so easy to communicate with”

RedFin Aquarium Design, Saudi Arabia

James Bruce, CEO

“Mark is a specialist in aquatics recruitment and a trusted industry contact. His market insight and global network give him a clear edge in securing high-calibre leadership talent, and I recommend him without hesitation.”

Beluga Whale Sanctuary, Iceland

Kim Cupples, General Manager

“Mark’s extensive network and diligence helped us fill a challenging Curator role on a remote island in Iceland. He delivered quickly, eased the pressure, and made a difficult hiring process feel smooth and manageable.”

Aishwarya Aquarium, India

Nishant Surve, CEO

“Mark is a professional and effective partner who travelled to India to understand our operations firsthand before launching the search. His sector knowledge and global network helped us secure an exceptional Spanish candidate based in Kuwait.”

Candidate Testimonials

Testimonials from exceptional leaders we’ve placed with clients:

Gran Acuario Mazatlán, Mexico

Simon Norris, CEO

“Mark’s expertise and professionalism made a complex international recruitment smooth and efficient. He supported me through contract negotiations, work permits, and logistics, and stayed connected after placement. I highly recommend his specialised services.”

Intradco Global, Atlanta

Dennis Christen, Global Business Development Director

“I appreciated how Mark made the hiring process smooth and straightforward, combining clear communication and guidance with discretion and professionalism.”

Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans

Kristen Podczerwinski, Curator

“Working with Mark was amazing as he genuinely cares, gets to know you, and checks in every step of the way. He truly wants his candidates to be happy and will advocate for you to shine and show your best self!”

Beluga Whale Sanctuary, Iceland

Pedro Baranda, General Curator

“Mark reached out with an exciting curator opportunity in a faraway country. His professionalism, personal approach, and sector knowledge made the process smooth. I’m grateful for his support and highly recommend his services.”

Orlando Science Center, USA

Scott DeJesus, Curator

“Mark started as a contact and became a trusted resource. As the only aquatics headhunter, he offers informed guidance, honest career advice, and timely opportunities matched to your skills. Approachable, professional, and well worth connecting with.”

Aishwarya Aquarium, India

Roger Hernández, Director

“Mark brings brilliant insight and genuine care to every search. He understands company cultures and candidates far beyond what’s on a CV — a truly exceptional talent connector.”

Coral World Ocean Park, U.S.V.I.

Samantha Degro, Aquarium Curator

“Mark took the time to understand my goals and my family’s needs. He helped both my husband and me land roles, supported our relocation, and made a complex hiring process feel manageable. I’d recommend him without hesitation.”

Media

Conversations and industry insights on aquatics and recruitment.

INFLOW: America

Ep 29 – Finding the Right Fit: Hiring in the Aquatic LSS World

In this episode, Mark Peacock joins hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber to discuss the unique challenges of hiring in the aquatic LSS sector. He breaks down what makes these technical roles so specialized, why organizations struggle to find qualified talent, and how strategic recruitment can strengthen teams across zoos, aquariums, and aquatic facilities. The conversation also covers the leadership qualities that matter most in highly technical environments, and how organizations can build clearer pathways for developing LSS talent from within. It’s a practical look at recruitment in one of the most specialized corners of the aquatics industry.

Stuff – New Zealand

Expat Tales: Mark Peacock in Mexico City

In this feature from Stuff’s Expat Tales series, Mark Peacock shares his journey from Auckland to Mexico City, and how time spent in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala first set him on the path. He talks about life as the world’s only headhunter specializing in public aquariums, founding Clean Search, and landing the CEO search for a new US$100 million aquarium in Mazatlán, Mexico, the largest in Latin America.

CGTN – America

New College Graduates Face Increasingly Unstable Job Market

In this CGTN segment reported from San Diego, Mark Peacock appears as a recruitment industry expert, weighing in on the rising challenge of graduate underemployment. He explains how spending years outside one’s target field can make breaking into it harder over time, and discusses how today’s graduates compete in an increasingly globally mobile job market.