Boyden Expands in Hong Kong, China and Singapore

April 8, 2020 – Boyden has added executive search and leadership advisory firm Stones International to the organization expanding the firm’s presence in Hong Kong, China and Singapore.

The new 17-member team includes 12 partners and principals with expertise that aligns with Boyden’s global practices in financial services, consumer and retail, industrial, technology, professional services and healthcare and life sciences, further ramping up the firm’s regional leadership position in these sectors. The new team will be led by managing partners Giuseppe Milito and Neil Morrison.

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“We are adding not only very well-established offices to Boyden, but also a team that prides itself on delivering the highest level of client service,” said Trina Gordon, president and CEO of Boyden. “Their history of success and strong performance in providing executive search and leadership advisory services will have an immediate impact globally and across the Asia-Pacific region.”

“We’re thrilled to join Boyden, as our high growth plans closely match the firm’s strategic objectives,” said Messrs. Milito and Morrison in a joint statement on behalf of the new team. “Boyden offers a strong global brand and a unique opportunity for our clients to benefit from the organization’s vision and world class partners across the globe.”

Mr. Milito has two decades of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, during which he co-founded Stones International with Mr. Morrison and subsequently served as a global practice leader for the consumer and retail industry at another firm. His background also includes leadership roles in the consumer sector with Benneton Group and FILA Group as well as extensive international experience, particularly in Asia-Pacific. Mr. Milito has lived and worked in Asia for nearly 25 years.

Mr. Morrison has extensive experience in executive search and leadership consulting, with a deep focus in logistics and transportation. He has held senior management roles in global organizations including DHL and a privately owned transportation and logistics group. He headed Stones International for 13 years. Mr. Morrison has also lived and worked in Asia for over 25 years.

In Singapore, the new team will be led by managing partner Mirko Petrelli supported by partner Ivan Lim and principal Krista Espaldon. In Hong Kong, the team includes partners Victor Filamor, Isabella Tan, Caroline Lim and Kong To, and Petra Owusu serves as the principal for leadership consulting and advisory services. Partners Ami Bhatt Hardy and Reid Wang will remain with Boyden China, joining the new team.

Expansion Plans

Boyden, headquartered in Purchase, NY, is a leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 65 offices in over 40 countries. It continues to expand and add talent across several global regions. Here are some related news items from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Boyden recently added Fanny Gimenez and Koen Vandenberghe as managing partners in Belgium and Luxembour as well as Paul Maertens as a partner to further build the firm’s market leadership in Europe. Ms. Gimenez, a member of Boyden’s industrial practice and private equity and venture capital practice, brings to the firm over 20 years’ management and consulting experience. Mr. Vandenberghe, a member of Boyden’s consumer and retail practice and professional services practice, is an advisor who has conducted numerous senior management engagements in finance, operations, sales and marketing, and technology. Mr. Maertens, a member of Boyden’s CEO and board services practice and technology practice, leverages his 30 years in corporate and public affairs, public policy and corporate governance to provide clients counsel on leadership, political, regulatory and audit committee requirements.

In a series of key leadership decisions, Boyden will largely be staying the course as it looks to continue its growth moving forward. Jörg Kasten has been re-elected to a third term as chairman and Trina Gordon won another term as president CEO, through 2021, the firm said. Three new members, meanwhile, are joining Boyden’s global board. Ms. Gordon has been in her role since 2011.

Boyden has created a new global private equity and venture capital practice and named Anita Pouplard, a managing partner of Boyden France, as its leader. Ms. Pouplard, a trusted advisor to the C-suite and boards, has completed numerous international search assignments over the past 20 years. A large share of her client work is in fast-growing sectors with large volumes in investment by PE and VC firms in technology, digital transformation, SaaS, internet of things, fintech and cleantech/greentech.

Boyden also expanded in Canada with the opening an office in the province of Saskatchewan. It is led by Dan Brown, a new Boyden Canada partner. “The global presence of the region is understated and the time was right to showcase Saskatchewan,” said Kevin Gregor, a partner of Boyden Canada. “Dan brings a track record in C-suite engagements across several sectors, including industrial, business services, non-profit and education. His arrival with Boyden is a big opportunity to grow our presence in Saskatchewan and in Canada while leveraging our global connections.”