Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Spirax Group’s Electric Thermal Solutions Division
October 22, 2026 – Carpenter Legal Search, Inc. has recruited Matthew Simonds as general counsel of the Electric Thermal Solutions (ETS) division of Spirax Group, a global industrial engineering company. “Matt stood out throughout the search process because of his combination of legal sophistication, strong business judgment, and ability to serve as a true strategic partner to leadership,” said Lori Carpenter, president of Carpenter Legal Search. “The Electric Thermal Solutions division sought a general counsel who could navigate complex domestic and international business issues while helping drive continued growth across multiple operating companies.”
“Matt’s background leadership capabilities, and business-oriented approach made him an exceptional fit,” Mr. Carpenter said. “In speaking with Matt shortly after his tenure began at Spirax, he conveyed genuine enthusiasm for the role, appreciation for his new colleagues, and a clear sense that he had found an organization where he could make a significant long-term impact.”
Carpenter Legal Search conducted the search utilizing its trademarked Focused on the Fit methodology, an approach designed to evaluate not only credentials and experience, but also leadership style, organizational fit, and long-term alignment with a company’s culture and objectives. The firm’s work with Spirax Group reflects its continued focus on recruiting senior legal executives for sophisticated corporate legal departments across a wide range of industries.
Mr. Simonds brings a legal background spanning corporate counsel and private practice. Before joining Spirax Group’s Electric Thermal Solutions division, he served as senior counsel with Vision RNG, a renewable natural gas company based in Pennsylvania, where he supported the company’s legal needs as it developed and operated renewable energy projects. Earlier in his career, Mr. Simonds practiced law in the Pittsburgh area and earned his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. He is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New York.
As general counsel, Mr. Simonds will provide strategic legal leadership to the ETS division, partnering closely with executive management on corporate governance, commercial transactions, compliance, litigation management, risk mitigation, employment matters, and broader business initiatives supporting the division’s global operations.
The ETS division represents an important part of Spirax Group’s global operations. Through its portfolio of market-leading brands, including Chromalox, Vulcanic, Thermocoax, and Durex Industries, the division delivers electric heating technologies and thermal solutions used across industrial, commercial, energy, transportation, semiconductor, and process manufacturing environments worldwide.
Carpenter Legal Search is a boutique, woman-owned legal search and consulting firm with more than 35 years of experience recruiting attorneys and compliance executives for corporations. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, the firm specializes in retained executive search for CLOs, CCOs, general counsel, DGC, AGC, and other legal and compliance roles. Guided by its trademarked Focused on the Fit approach, the firm has earned a reputation for completing complex and specialized searches while providing strategic recruiting and consulting services to corporate legal departments nationwide.
As founder and president of Carpenter Legal Search, Ms. Carpenter leads the firm’s management and business development activities and remains actively engaged in executing retained general counsel and other senior-level searches for corporate clients across a wide variety of industries, from Fortune 100 corporations to emerging growth enterprises. She also supports a select law firm clientele with lateral partner acquisitions, practice group mergers, and strategic growth initiatives.
Related: Risk Mitigation and Business Complexity is Driving Demand in Legal Recruiting
For more than 35 years, Ms. Carpenter has partnered with corporations and law firms to identify exceptional legal talent, including general counsel, chief compliance officers, deputy general counsel, associate general counsel, assistant general counsel, senior counsel, and law firm partners and practice groups. As a trusted advisor to clients, her work routinely extends beyond recruiting for specific roles, as she frequently offers professional insight on legal department structure, growth and talent acquisition strategies, succession planning, compensation shifts, and evolving market changes affecting the legal profession.
Park Corporation Search
Carpenter Legal Search also recently recruited Brian P. Anderson as the new general counsel of Park Corporation. The appointment followed a thoughtful succession planning process as Park Corporation prepares for the retirement of Rick Bertram, who has served as the company’s general counsel since 1997.
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“Brian’s blend of sophisticated legal expertise, business acumen, and executive leadership experience made him an exceptional candidate for this important succession search,” said Lori Carpenter, president of Carpenter Legal Search. “As Park Corporation prepared for Rick Bertram’s retirement after nearly 30 years as general counsel, the company sought a leader and working general counsel who could build upon Rick’s extraordinary legacy. Brian’s experience across private practice, global energy companies, and chief legal roles positions him exceptionally well for that responsibility.”
Mr. Anderson joins Park Corporation after serving as general counsel of Xcoal Energy & Resources, where he led the company’s legal affairs and advised senior management on a broad range of business, regulatory, and strategic matters.
Related: Beyond Expertise: How to Identify and Develop Transformative Legal Leaders
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
