Borrer Executive Search Assists Mustad Hoofcare Group Find Chief People Officer
February 12, 2025 – Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more emphasis on culture, which includes values, ethics, and mission. They are responsible for championing an organization’s talent through the development and execution of a comprehensive people strategy and employee experience.
As companies look to build internal brand awareness and set their sights more on establishing and driving their own unique cultures, CPOs are coming more into vogue. And executive search firms have been stepping up their efforts to assist companies to find new chief people officers. Lausanne, Switzerland-based Borrer Executive Search has helped to place Eric Soenens as chief people officer of the Mustad Hoofcare Group. Managing partner Emile Borrer led the assignment.
Mr. Soenens’ career spans HR leadership, talent management, coaching & facilitation and business transformation in international environments. He most recently served as head of HR, connected care informatics, at Philips.
As chief people officer at Mustad Hoofcare Group, Mr. Soenens will lead the global people & culture strategy, ensuring it aligns with the company’s growth ambitions and strong heritage. In this capacity, he will report to the company CEO and is part of the global leadership team. His focus is on driving organizational development, employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, and a culture of continuous learning across our 650 employees in 16 countries.
The Mustad Hoofcare Group is the world’s largest manufacturer and seller of hoofcare products, serving farriers, horse owners and veterinarians worldwide, since 1832. Products include horseshoe nails, horse shoes, horse rasps, farrier tools, vitamin and mineral supplements as well as specialty products for the care of horse’s hooves.
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Borrer Executive Search, founded in 2010, is a boutique search and selection firm. The firm specializes in sourcing senior executives (director, VP, C-level) for positions based in Switzerland, wider Europe and internationally. The firm’s practices include: global operations (supply chain and procurement), commercial (GM, sales and marketing) and corporate support leadership functions. Borrer Executive Search operates across industry for the above functions with 50 percent of its search mandates for the wider consumer goods industry (FMCG, cosmetics/beauty, global beverage, luxury, dairy, consumer health and electronics). Other industries it serves include life sciences, mining and metals, insurance, sport, aviation and not-for-profit.
Mr. Borrer brings over 20 years of international experience within financial markets and executive education. A native of Sydney, he has lived and worked in Australia, France and Switzerland, and is well positioned to comprehend the multicultural requirements inherent to senior recruitment. Mr. Borrer supports clients in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. His experience in supporting Learning and Development professionals is preceded by a career in financial markets, at both SIX Group and Nomura Bank. Dual national Swiss, Australian, his working languages are English, German and French.
Past Assignment
Last year, Borrer assisted in the recruitment of Anne Jaeckin as chief human resources officer of Teoxane. “Anne brings a wealth of expertise in HR leadership,” the company said. “Her strategic acumen and commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture will be instrumental as we advance our international growth and organizational transformation efforts.”
Ms. Jaeckin has extensive experience from global organizations including BD, Avery Dennison, and COTY, where she served as the CHRO. With COTY, she led the global HR function in a massive turnaround ambition program for the company. She actively engaged and contributed to the COTY transformation and growth agenda.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
