Acertitude Appoints EMEA Leader of Global Consumer and Retail Practice
October 20, 2021 – Executive search firm Acertitude has named Charlotte Cederwall as a partner and EMEA lead for the firm’s global consumer and retail practice. Her considerable influence in this space and in the private investment industry will both extend and strengthen the firm’s consumer and retail capabilities while evolving its private equity offering globally. “Charlotte is a wonderful addition to our firm because she has a deep understanding of what consumer and retail trends and developments matter most to our executive search clients,” said Guy Barnes, managing partner at Acertitude. “Her vast experience in enabling people-related diligence and coordinating global deal collaborations is valued greatly and will prove a tremendous asset for us.”
Ms. Cederwall, who will be based out of the London office, will serve as advisor to consumer-facing companies worldwide. Her expertise spans retail, apparel and accessories, E-commerce, travel, multi-site leisure, and food and beverage among other consumer goods. “At a time when disruption and innovation are sweeping across the sector, she is invariably focused on making executive connections that provide strong leadership and truly transformative outcomes for her clients — and their customers and consumers,” Acertitude said.
Most recently, Ms. Cederwall worked for eight years for private equity specialist firm Skillcapital as partner and global lead for their consumer and retail practice. There, she led work within both the European and the U.S. markets. Her other executive search experience includes four years as the head of commerce and industry at Argyll Scott and five years as a senior consultant at Martin Ward Anderson. Ms. Cederwall has experience working with world-renowned leadership teams and private equity investors across both Europe and North America, having spent more than 15 years leading high-profile searches.
“I’m thrilled for this opportunity to extend and strengthen our global capabilities within the consumer and retail space and put all I’ve learned to wonderful use,” said Ms. Cederwall. “I also look forward to expanding the firm’s private equity expertise and connections and welcome the opportunity to continue innovating and refining our service offering to private equity clients.”
Growing Search Firm
Founded in 2015, Acertitude specializes in recruiting CEO, C-suite, and executive talent in the consumer, financial, healthcare and life sciences, industrial, private equity, professional services, and technology sectors. Its consultants work from offices in Boston; Dallas; Miami; London; New York; Philadelphia; Providence, RI; Raleigh, NC; Shanghai; and Washington, D.C.
Acertitude recently added Scott Jacobs to its global technology practice as a partner. “A well-respected executive in the global technology recruitment space, Scott is an ideal fit for our quickly-scaling tech team,” said Rick DeRose, co-founder and managing partner of Acertitude. “His vast experience in C-level search and assessment in conjunction with his extraordinary client-focused mentality will be invaluable to our team and our clients as we continue to scale our global platform with a singular focus on brilliant outcomes and service.”
Mr. Jacobs has cross-border experience encompasses working with public and private enterprises across Europe and the Americas, advising clients across their talent agenda. He is well-versed in communications infrastructure and services, SaaS, professional services and the broader technology sectors. Mr. Jacobs most recently was a senior partner for 15 years with Heidrick and Struggles.
Acertitude also recently appointed Nate DaPore as managing partner. “During the past few years, Nate has played a meaningful role in the success and growth of Acertitude — of particular note, standing up and leading a high-performing healthcare and life sciences practice that is making a mark on the healthcare-focused private equity community,” said Mr. DeRose. “The team’s focus on results and creative, problem-solving prove to be a potent combination in delivering brilliant people at work who transform portfolio companies — and contribute to creating a healthier world.”
Mr. DaPore established the firm’s healthcare and life sciences practice when he joined Acertitude in 2017 and has since grown it by double digits each year, achieving 35 percent year-over-year growth in 2020. Under his leadership, the team is already at work serving clients in the sector. The team has delivered on more than 100 senior executive searches across some of the hottest, fastest-growing segments of the industry such as healthcare SaaS, life science, medical device and healthcare platform rollups.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
