Caldwell Posts 37.1 Percent Increase in Q1 Revenues
January 8, 2026 – Caldwell posted Q1 revenues of $29.3 million (Canadian), an increase of 37.1 percent from $21.4 million, a year ago. “Our first quarter results represent an excellent start to fiscal 2026, with exceptional revenue growth and improved profitability year over year,” said Chris Beck, CEO. “Performance was strong across the business, reflecting increased hiring demand from clients and continued momentum in new search activity.”
“While operating profit compared favorably to the prior year on our higher revenue, our results included certain startup expenses related to the launch of our Dubai office,” Mr. Beck continued. “These expenditures included legal and administrative establishment costs, recruiting fees, and the integration period for recently hired partners as they ramp up on our platform. These investments support our long-term growth strategy and expanding global footprint.”
“We exited the first quarter with a notable improvement in executive search bookings over last year and continue to see strength in hiring demand across our client base,” Beck added. “We will continue to make targeted and strategic additions to our partner team, while maintaining disciplined cost management and a commitment to a capital allocation program to return value to our shareholders. Together, these priorities position us well to deliver sustained performance as fiscal 2026 progresses.”
The board of directors today also declared a dividend of $0.01 per common share (one cent per common share), payable to holders of common shares of record on January 16, 2026, to be paid on March 13, 2026.
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.
Recent Growth
Caldwell recently launched a sports & entertainment practice, a new global sector group dedicated to connecting senior leaders with organizations at the intersection of sports, technology, media, entertainment, and investment. “As our clients increase their investments in sports, media, and entertainment, we’re launching this specialty practice to support their expanding portfolios,” said Mr. Beck. “From emerging sports technology platforms and analytics companies to digital media ventures and large-scale venue development, our clients are shaping the future of how the world experiences sports and entertainment.”
Related: Caldwell Appoints CEO; Makes Other Senior Management Changes
The sports & entertainment practice will be structured around Peter Anselmo and Garrick Respress and further leverages the firm’s global network of partners across the technology, media & entertainment, consumer, infrastructure, and investment sectors, ensuring clients have access to cross-industry insights and leadership solutions tailored to the evolving sports economy. “As former collegiate athletes, Peter and Garrick will bring a collaborative, team-oriented approach to executive search, uniquely positioning Caldwell to unite experts across the platform and lead the firm’s expansion into the sports and entertainment market,” the firm said.
Caldwell Expands Financial Services and Real Estate Practices
Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Ben Sturnham as a partner in the firm’s financial services and real estate practices. Based in London, he advises clients on board and C-suite recruitment across the full breadth of the real estate, financial services, and real estate finance sectors in the U.K., Europe, and the Middle East. “Ben is a deeply respected search professional whose insight, credibility, and sector knowledge make him an exceptional advisor to clients across the financial services and real estate capital ecosystem,” said Glenn Buggy and Paul Heller, global managing partners of Caldwell’s financial services practice. “His appointment meaningfully strengthens the connective tissue between our practices and expands our ability to support clients across global markets. We are very pleased to welcome him.”
As previously mentioned, earlier this fall Caldwell opened a new office in Dubai. Rob Wilder was appointed managing partner of the office. He will be joined in Dubai by Simon Hall, partner in Caldwell’s financial services practice. The launch marks Caldwell’s entry into the Middle East and North Africa region. “With more than 25 years of experience advising organizations on board and executive succession, leadership assessment and development, and executive search, Rob has established himself as a trusted advisor to clients in the Middle East and globally,” said Mr. Heller and Mr. Buggy. “His deep knowledge of the region, combined with his extensive experience across financial services, fintech, and private equity, will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our practice.”
“This strategic expansion into Dubai is an important milestone for Caldwell as we continue to build a truly global platform,” said Mr. Beck. “Rob’s leadership, regional expertise, and global perspective will enable us to better serve clients in the Middle East and North Africa, and his appointment underscores our commitment to investing in markets that are critical to our clients’ success. With a truly global perspective, Mr. Wilder brings extensive cross-cultural expertise to leadership evaluation, having lived and worked across three continents.”
Related: Caldwell Launches Academic Healthcare Practice
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
