Conroy Ross Partners Names Toronto Managing Partner

September 27, 2016 – Executive search firm Conroy Ross Partners has named Peter Zukow as managing partner of its Toronto office. Mr. Zukow brings to the firm over 20 years of executive search experience recruiting senior talent to a wide cross section of industries, including consumer goods, retail, industrial, pharma / biotech, insurance, and financial services. Previously, he served as president of boutique recruiting firm Lock Search Group.

“We are thrilled to have Peter join the team,” said Mike Bacchus, Conroy Ross chief executive officer. “Peter’s deep industry knowledge, impressive network, and reputation as a great leader are all attributes that we know will bring tremendous value to our clients and the firm as we continue to grow our business in Toronto, and across Canada.”

An Integrated Approach

Earlier this year, Conroy Ross Partners formed an alliance with Optimum Talent, a privately owned integrated talent management firm. Together, the firms provide clients with a full offering of leadership solutions including executive search, leadership development, coaching, organizational psychology and career transition. It also acquired the Vancouver office of career transition services provider Toombs Inc. The idea behind the transaction was to diversify the portfolio of services and extend outreach across Canada.

“By offering a full suite of services that includes executive and professional search, executive coaching, leadership and talent development, career management, and career transition capabilities, we’re able to view challenges from multiple lenses, thereby enabling us to more effectively diagnose problems and offer creative solutions to solve them,” said Ronald Dahms, Optimum Talent president. “As an experienced leader, Peter understands the value of an integrated approach to help businesses achieve their targets, which is just another reason why he’s is a great fit for our clients and our team.”

Founded in 1994, Conroy Ross Partners is a national search and consulting firm with offices across Canada. The firm works with leadership teams to recruit a wide range of C-level executives. It has expertise in both the private and public sectors, and services a diverse group of clients, across a breadth of different industries.

A number of executive search firms have expanded their Canadian operations in recent months. Here’s a look at just a few:

• Russell Reynolds Associates opened an office in Montreal. Brigitte Simard, a managing director with international executive search experience, has been appointed to lead the firm’s new operation. The Montréal office is the firm’s third office in Canada after Toronto and Calgary. The new office further strengthens the firm’s commitment to the Québec and Eastern Canada market, and will serve a wide range of Canadian and global organizations;

• Korn Ferry appointed Michael Mundy as leader of its Canadian consumer and retail practice. Based out of the firm’s Toronto office, he serves as a member of the firm’s global consumer practice. With executive search experience in consumer, retail, media & entertainment, sports, travel, hospitality & leisure, Mr. Mundy spent seven years with Odgers Berndtson;

• Boyden named Sébastien Zuchowski and Brian G. Bachand as a partners in its Toronto and Montreal offices, respectively. Mr.Zuchowski focuses on senior level assignments in the technology, media, telecommunication and industrial sectors. Mr. Bachand works in the firm’s education, healthcare & life sciences, and not-for-profit recruiting practices;

• Odgers Berndtson expanded its public sector search expertise in Canada with the addition of Jane Griffith as a new partner in its academic practice as well as John King and Gino Picciano in the firm’s healthcare practice. With a focus on the academic sector, Ms. Griffith has worked with universities, colleges and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. With more than 30 years of experience in senior operational roles in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Mr. King is known for his roles as assistant deputy minister, MOHLTC and chief administrative officer and EVP at St Michael’s Hospital. Since retiring from his role as SVP and chief performance officer at The Ottawa Hospital, Mr. Picciano has been providing strategic advice and consulting services to select private partners;

• SRI (Sports Recruitment International) expanded into Canada this year and added Max Dawson to lead the firm’s operations in the region. Mr. Dawson, who retains the title of director, Canada, was previously a search manager with executive recruiting firm Conroy Ross Partners. He previously served in numerous roles with NHL hockey team the Edmonton Oilers, most recently as a partnership sales specialist and operations supervisor;

• ZRG Partners added David Kinley as managing director in its new Toronto office. He supports the firm’s growing private equity-backed recruiting practice where he has extensive experience in technology company search assignments. He will further build out ZRG’s capabilities in Canada.

Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media