Boyden U.K. Partners with Aleto Foundation to Drive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

December 10, 2020 – Competitive companies, organizations and government agencies know that diversity matters. Simply put, the demographics of the nation must mirror the workforce. Research shows that organizations that unleash the potential of diverse talent innovate faster and see better business results. According to executive recruiters, it starts by attracting proven talent with diverse perspectives, experiences, and contributions, then building and nurturing an environment where everyone can do their best work.

Diversity and inclusion efforts continue to gain traction at executive search firms themselves, reflecting both their clients and the workplaces they serve to populate. Boyden U.K. recently entered a partnership with diversity, equity and inclusion consultancy Aleto Foundation. “Aleto’s alumni have worked so hard to overcome social disadvantage and discover their real potential,” said Nick Robeson, managing partner, Boyden UK & Ireland. “We feel privileged to work with such courageous and talented young people who deserve the right to a fair and level playing field. Given our team’s knowledge and experience of executive leadership, we are excited to share our experience with Aleto Foundation alumni who will be tomorrow’s leaders and mentors.”

Aleto was founded by business and cultural leaders aspiring to create tomorrow’s young leaders regardless of race, background, or physical ability. Participants are identified in a rigorous application process and equipped through formal MBA-style leadership and mentorship programs. Funded purely by trustees, the foundation is chaired by Sir Kenneth Olisa, the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.

Boyden Partners in the U.K. will mentor graduates and entrepreneurs aged 18 to 24 years old to support their ambitions to develop leadership careers. This engagement reflects Boyden’s global campaign to #DisruptTheNorm, an initiative launched in 2018 to accelerate diversity in leadership.

2020 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Recruiting Report:
Building a Balanced and Diverse Workforce

Hunt Scanlon Media’s latest market intelligence recruiting report – this time focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – will be available later this fall! The nation’s top executive recruiters are resetting expectations and looking for new ways forward to build balanced and diverse workforce teams for their clients.

According to executive recruiters, DE&I should not just be a priority, but an integrated part of every company’s leadership goals. Some companies have even tied DE&I metrics to executive compensation. But it’s more than that.

Part of building strong, diverse hiring teams means asking yourself: “Who is my company culture going to attract – and how will it engage people who are here?” This question can be very difficult to answer if you assume everyone feels welcome already just because you do. Fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within organizations is more than just the right ethical decision. “It is one of the best business decisions a company can make,” said Keri Gavin, a partner with Hanold Associates and leader of the search firm’s Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion practice. Hanold Associates is a proud sponsor of this year’s report. This report will help organizations prioritize DE&I as a business imperative that drives greater competitiveness, innovation and business results. Get it now!

“We are delighted that Boyden has become one of our partners,” said David Villa-Clarke, CEO of Aleto. “They are exceptionally well placed to mentor and coach our participants, as well as connect them to networks and associations that will be mutually beneficial. Aleto graduates have the intellect and ability to change the narrative; we need them to become colleagues, stakeholders and leaders to create a better world.”

“We are a social mobility charity that provides ‘real world’ and practical support to young people who possess the educational foundations, mental capacity, moral foundation, confidence and humility required to inspire others to find common cause and to strive for the improvement of society at large,” said Sir Olisa.

Expansion Plans

Boyden, headquartered in Purchase, New York, 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 opened a new office in Edmonton, Alberta, led by new partner Lindsay Osmond. “Serving our many clients in Northern Alberta has always been a priority to us at Boyden,” said Robert Travis, managing partner, Boyden United States and Canada. “We are thrilled that Lindsay will lead the office, bringing her exceptional drive and business leadership to clients and colleagues throughout Canada and worldwide.”

Boyden is expanding into Greece and Cyprus, hiring Anny S. Chatzikonstantinou to lead the firm’s new location. “We know these are challenging times for people in Greece and Cyprus and Boyden does not shy away from countries experiencing adversity,” said Trina Gordon, president and CEO of Boyden. “Greece has attracted significant foreign investment in recent years. The full array of Boyden’s global capabilities is at Anny’s disposal to help her clients maintain momentum in a complex environment.”

Boyden appointed Dina Akimova as managing partner and leader of the firm’s fully integrated brand, Boyden Russia. A distinguished expert in C-level executive search, Ms. Akimova first worked with Boyden in 2016, and returns to lead the business with a team of seven, including a number of former Boyden colleagues. Fluent in Russian, English and Italian, she offers broad industry experience, with particular expertise in industry and financial services. Ms. Akimova began her search career in 2005 and also gained prior recruiting experience with Ward Howell.

Boyden added Liesl Forve, who will serve as a partner and attend to clients throughout California. Boyden has seen strong growth in the U.S., particularly on the West Coast. The firm has doubled the number of partners there in the last six months. Joining Boyden’s global industrial, social impact and human resources practices, Ms. Forve has a strong track record in enabling clients to acquire C-suite and senior-level executives. She covers finance, human resources, marketing, sales and operations leaders.

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.

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.