Boyden Recruits CHRO for Solotech
August 23, 2019 – Anyone with the ties to the human resources function knows how much it has evolved in recent years, and with it the role of the chief human resources officer. The biggest shift has been in how the CHRO has progressed from fighting for a seat at the table to playing a key role on the executive team. According to executive recruiters who place some of the best talent in the field, a great CHRO can be among the most vital strategic human assets a company can have – closely partnering with the CEO and CFO.
Recently, executive search firm Boyden placed Claudine Ricard as the new CHRO of Solotech in Montreal.
“Ms. Ricard will be a great addition to our leadership team,” said Martin Tremblay, president and CEO of Solotech. “With her strategic vision, her broad HR and M&A background, her international experience, along with her passion for talent, she will undoubtedly play a key role in supporting Solotech’s accelerated growth and evolving business on a global scale. I look forward to working with her.”
Ms. Ricard joins Solotech with 25 years of experience in various HR roles in large publicly traded organizations. In her most recent role, she was vice president of culture and talent at TC Transcontinental, where she headed the global talent function and implemented the talent and diversity strategy with a focus on leadership succession. Prior to that, she worked 19 years for CGI in various HR leadership positions including as vice president of culture and experience, VP of organizational development and leadership institute and VP of HR integration center of expertise, where she led all HR aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Earlier in her career, Ms. Ricard also worked at Honeywell Aerospace, where she was responsible for all aspects of HR.
In addition, Ms. Ricard is an active mentor in the wider HR community and devotes a good deal of time outside of work as a coach to other HR professionals. She is also a certified human resources professional (CHRP), a member of the Cercle des Leaders RH and a board member of Intégration Jeunesse du Québec.
New Role
Joining Solotech’s executive team as well as the board HR committee, Ms. Ricard will lead the company’s people and culture strategy while being a key contributor to the rapid and international expansion of the business. She will be responsible for all aspects of human resources functions globally, including talent management, leadership and organizational development, learning, compensation and benefits. Ms. Ricard is charged with continuing to build a culture that focuses on attracting, retaining and developing the best talent, as Solotech solidifies its position as a worldwide leader in audiovisual and entertainment technology and an employer of choice.
Founded over 40 years ago, Solotech is a world leader in audiovisual and entertainment technology with 13 strategic locations in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. The company employs 1,200 professionals in its offices located in Montreal, Quebec City, Saguenay, Ottawa, Toronto, Las Vegas, Nashville, DeKalb, Los Angeles, Heywood, London and Redditch.
Boyden is a global provider of executive search services, with more than 70 offices in over 40 countries. Founded in 1946, the firm specializes in high-level executive search, interim management and human capital consulting across a broad spectrum of industries.
CHRO Recruiting in the News
Hunt Scanlon Media has tracked a number of CHRO search assignments over the summer. Here’s a sampling taken from the company’s daily newswire archives:
Tom Phillips and Charlotte Harris of Koya Leadership Partners were recently retained by the University of New England (UNE) to assist in its search for a new CHRO. The university, located in Biddeford, ME, seeks a collaborative and forward-looking human resources leader that will play an important role in building upon the institution’s strategic plan, “Our World, Our Future.”
Hanold Associates placed Lisa V. Price as the executive vice president and CHRO of Domino’s Pizza. Jason Hanold, CEO and co-managing partner of the search firm, led the assignment. He was joined by partners Keri Gavin, Ashley Schiele and Sonia Nagra. Ms. Price most recently served as senior vice president of human resources at Nordstrom.
West Hartford CT-based Academic Career & Executive Search was recently tapped by the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to help find its next CHRO. Jennifer Muller, co-founder and managing partner, is leading the assignment. DCCCD wants a highly accomplished, collaborative leader and change agent with a successful track record in the areas of talent acquisition, development, succession planning, support and management.
Charlotte, NC-based Search Solution Executive placed Scott Conklin as the CHRO at itelligence North America in Cincinnati. President Jeremy Gnozzo led the assignment. Steve Niesman, CEO of itelligence North America, retained the services of Search Solution Executive to locate a CHRO with a very specific background, set of skills and the personality type to lead company culture and change management.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
