Caldwell Appoints Leader of Global HR Practice
October 15, 2026 – Toronto-based Caldwell has named John Staines as a partner and leader of the firm’s global HR practice. “We’re pleased to welcome John to Caldwell to lead our human resources practice,” said Chris Beck, CEO. “John’s addition, together with Ali Palmer’s recent arrival in London, strengthens our global human resources practice and our ability to serve clients across markets. Our focus is on helping clients attract HR leaders who understand their business and can deliver on its priorities. John brings the experience and judgment to help them make those decisions with confidence.”
“John brings an exceptional combination of executive search expertise and firsthand HR leadership experience to Caldwell,” said Peter Reed, regional managing partner, U.S. “Having spent much of his career in senior human resources roles, he understands the opportunities and challenges facing HR leaders from the inside and brings that perspective to every client engagement. His relationships, judgment and consultative approach will be tremendous assets to our clients as they make critical leadership and talent decisions.”
Based in Los Angeles, Mr. Staines advises boards, CEOs and senior human resources leaders on the recruitment of CHROs, chief people officers and other senior executives, helping organizations build leadership teams that enable growth, transformation and long-term performance.
With more than 35 years of experience spanning executive search and senior human resources leadership, Mr. Staines brings a distinctive perspective to leadership and talent advisory. A multiple-time CHRO, he has extensive experience across consumer, healthcare, life sciences and technology and has advised organizations on senior HR and broader C-suite appointments. Mr. Staines was previously managing partner and leader of the global human resources practice at DHR Global, where he built and grew the practice while advising clients on executive search and leadership matters. Previously, he led human capital practices at executive search and leadership advisory firms and founded Global HR Solutions, a consulting firm focused on human resources strategy, organizational effectiveness and leadership development.
Related: Caldwell Adds Partner in Dubai
Caldwell Partners is a retained executive search and leadership advisory firm headquartered in Toronto that recruits board, CEO, and other senior executive leaders for clients across multiple industries in North America and Europe. The firm is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
New COO and Regional Managing Partner Structure
Caldwell recently named John Blank as chief operating officer. The firm has also established a new regional managing partner structure designed to support the firm’s continued growth, strengthen operational effectiveness, and enhance coordination across its global platform. In his new role, Mr. Blank will oversee Caldwell’s business and people operations, including regional leadership, talent and people operations, operating effectiveness, and the firm’s professional leverage model. Working closely with president and CEO Chris Beck, the regional managing partners, and the firm’s practice leaders, he will focus on strengthening execution, communication, accountability, and collaboration across the organization.
Caldwell Launches Global Financial Institutions Group Practice
Caldwell has launched its global financial institutions group (FIG) practice, bringing together the firm’s financial services capabilities under a single, globally coordinated practice. “This is more than a change in name,” said Chris Beck, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “It reflects the scale, connectivity, and depth of the practice we have built globally, as well as our conviction that the strongest leadership solutions come from looking across traditional sector boundaries. This integrated approach strengthens our ability to help clients identify and assess leaders who can perform in a more complex and fast-moving environment.”
As part of this leadership structure, Peter Reed has been named regional managing partner, United States; Drew Railton has been named regional managing partner, Canada; Alex Alcott has been named regional managing partner, Europe; and Rob Wilder has been named regional managing partner, Middle East & North Africa (MENA).
“John is a highly respected leader who has already played an important role in strengthening collaboration, partner recruitment, onboarding, and leadership engagement across the firm,” said Mr. Beck. “As Caldwell continues to grow globally, this appointment reflects our commitment to building a more connected, accountable, and scalable organization. John combines strong operational leadership with a deep understanding of our business, culture, and clients, and I look forward to working closely with him and our regional leadership team as we continue to strengthen the way we operate across regions, practices, and offices.”
“This structure allows our practice leaders to remain focused on serving clients, growing their markets, developing strategic relationships, and driving revenue growth, while John and our regional leadership team focus on strengthening how we operate and execute as a firm,” Mr. Beck continued. “The regional managing partner structure establishes clear leadership accountability across Caldwell’s global operations.”
Related: Caldwell Expands Financial Services and Real Estate Practices
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
