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Executive Search Review

‘2026 Hunt Scanlon Private Equity Recruiting Special Issue’ Newsletter

Executive Search Review has just released its 2026 Private Equity Recruiting Special Issue Newsletter! We invite you to take a look at our latest issue by downloading the Free Newsletter PDF file. Here is a sampling of just some of what you’ll find when you open up this latest issue of ESR:

The Shift to Strategic Partnerships in Executive Recruiting
As private equity firms place greater emphasis on operational execution and long-term value creation, expectations around leadership strategy are rapidly evolving. Search firms are increasingly being asked to move beyond traditional recruiting models and serve as broader talent advisors aligned with investment outcomes. In this environment, the distinction between transactional hiring and strategic partnership is becoming a defining factor across the private equity landscape.

Why PE Organizations Need to Apply Their Own Playbook to Themselves
John Zink and Ed Richards are co-founders of Taurean, a firm purpose-built to help private equity organizations design and build their value creation capabilities. Together, they founded Taurean on a conviction that is becoming impossible to ignore: what PE firms do with the companies they buy has never mattered more. The era of financial engineering and cheap debt producing reliable returns is over. Firms that want to win now need to treat their value creation capability as a real product, integrated into the investment process from day one, not an appendage they bolt on after the deal closes.

How Private Equity Firms Are Modernizing Talent Strategy Through Technology
Max Woolger is head of growth at Ezekia, a provider of software for search firms. The company offers full business development and assignment management tools as well as internal and external reporting, GDPR compliance, and invoicing. Mr. Woolger recently sat down with Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss how PE firms are leveraging talent CRM and ATS platforms to strengthen collaboration between talent and deal teams, improve leadership decision-making, and support value creation across the investment lifecycle.

Hunt Scanlon Releases Latest Recruiter Rankings
Hunt Scanlon Private Equity Recruiting Power 100 Hunt Scanlon London 50 Hunt Scanlon Technology Top 50 Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Hunt Scanlon Global 40 Hunt Scanlon Big Five Global Search Firms Hunt Scanlon Legal Recruiting Power 100 Hunt Scanlon Non-Profit Top 70 Hunt Scanlon Healthcare Top 50 Hunt Scanlon Life Sciences Top 50 Hunt Scanlon Canadian Top 60 Hunt Scanlon New York Power 60 Hunt Scanlon Financial 60 Recruiter Ranking Hunt Scanlon HR/Diversity Power 70 Hunt Scanlon Cyber/Technology Top 45 Hunt Scanlon Private Equity Recruiting Power 100 Hunt Scanlon London 50 Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Higher Education Recruiters Hunt Scanlon Top 40 Sports, Media & Entertainment
Hunt Scanlon EMEA Top 40 Hunt Scanlon Cleantech/ESG Top 25

Past Articles From The Archives

The Shift to Strategic Partnerships in Executive Recruiting

As private equity firms place greater emphasis on operational execution and long-term value creation, expectations around leadership strategy are rapidly evolving. Search firms are increasingly being asked to move beyond traditional recruiting models and serve as broader talent advisors aligned with investment outcomes. In this environment, the distinction between transactional hiring and strategic partnership is

Why PE Organizations Need to Apply Their Own Playbook to Themselves

John Zink and Ed Richards are co-founders of Taurean, a firm purpose-built to help private equity organizations design and build their value creation capabilities. Mr. Zink spent his career inside PE operating groups at Vista Equity Partners and Marlin Equity Partners, driving value creation from the ground floor of portfolio companies. Mr. Richards built his

How Private Equity Firms Are Modernizing Talent Strategy Through Technology

Max Woolger is head of growth at Ezekia, a provider of software for search firms. The company offers full business development and assignment management tools as well as internal and external reporting, GDPR compliance, and invoicing. As private equity firms place greater emphasis on talent strategy and leadership intelligence, the systems supporting those efforts are

AI Redefining Search — Without Replacing Human Judgment

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping executive recruiting, speeding up how firms identify, evaluate, and engage leadership talent. As AI tools automate research and administrative work, search teams can move faster and surface stronger insights—changing what “best candidate” discovery looks like in practice. At the same time, demand is shifting toward leaders who can translate AI

Domain-Specific AI Transforming Executive Search

Mark Jacobson is the GM, executive search with Findem.ai, an AI-powered talent intelligence and recruiting platform used by companies to find, engage, and hire candidates more efficiently. At its core, Findem uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to build deep talent profiles by aggregating publicly available data (such as career history, skills, education, and signals

The Evolution of Tech Leadership in Europe: 40 Years of Transformation

Since its creation in 1985, Hightech Partners has been at the forefront of identifying and developing technology leaders across Europe. From the early days of IT infrastructure and operational excellence to today’s era of artificial intelligence and digital ecosystems, the firm has witnessed—and guided—the profound evolution of what it means to lead in technology. Raffaele

Executive Search Continues Its Confident Climb As Transformation Takes Center Stage

The executive search industry entered 2026 from a position of strength. According to Hunt Scanlon, fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. / Americas – the global talent sector’s largest and most dominant region – jumped 11% last year, topping out at $6.69 billion. Seventy-five percent of search firms on

TrueBridge’s Brian Lafer on Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership

TrueBridge is True’s interim, fractional, and advisory executive search division. Brian Lafer, who leads TrueBridge, has spent his career at the center of the shift toward flexible human capital. Based in Chicago, he and the TrueBridge team work with companies across the U.S. and EMEA to navigate leadership gaps, transformation and growth, structuring interim and

Risk Mitigation and Business Complexity is Driving Demand in Legal Recruiting

Demand for senior legal leaders is rising as companies, and law firms face mounting regulatory complexity, global uncertainty, and shifting risks. Boards and CEOs now expect legal executives to be not only technical experts but also strategic business partners who can influence decisions, manage crises, and deliver commercial impact. The bar has never been higher

How Law Firms Are Redefining Partner Recruitment in the Age of AI and Regulation

CenterPeak is the premier talent advisor and growth partner to the world’s elite law firms. CenterPeak was created in 2023 when Johnson Downie and Lippman Jungers founders Clint Johnson, Sabina Lippman, and Mark Jungers came together to create the leading law firm partner recruiting firm in the world. Already dominant in New York, California, and

Beyond Expertise: How BarkerGilmore Identifies and Develops Transformative Legal Leaders

BarkerGilmore is a boutique recruiting firm specializing in executive search and selection in law and compliance. With a network of advisors and recruiters spanning the U.S., the firm consistently places talent at leading consumer, energy, financial, healthcare, industrial, and technology companies. Robert Barker is co-founder, managing partner, and chair of the industrial practice at BarkerGilmore.

Navigating Uncertainty: How Non-Profit Executive Search Is Evolving in 2025

The non-profit sector is entering a pivotal moment in 2025, marked by financial volatility, leadership transitions, and heightened expectations around organizational performance and equity. As federal funding cuts ripple through social services, education, the arts, and environmental initiatives, many non-profits have paused executive hiring or slowed decision-making, creating an environment of deep uncertainty. As expectations

Purpose-Led Placements: Elevating Non-Profit Leadership with Precision and Care

Mariya Yurukova is president and CEO of Charity Search Group, a recruitment firm that specializes in hiring for non-profit and charitable organizations across North America. The firm focuses on filling leadership and executive roles within mission-driven organizations. It operates remotely, with a team of consultants and recruiters located in various regions. Ms. Yurukova has a

Leading Forward: How Inclusive Search is Powering Non-Profit Success

Lindauer serves higher and secondary education, hospitals, academic research centers, think tanks, research facilities, and foundations, as well as advocacy, public service, social justice and other mission-driven non-profits. The firm has led searches for the Boston YMCA, Center for Applied Special Technology, Healthy Minds Innovations/Center for Healthy Minds, the University of Texas at Austin, and

The Critical Role of Executive Search in Driving Culture Change

In today’s increasingly hybrid, complex, and fast-paced work environments, corporate culture has emerged as a central lever for business performance, leadership effectiveness, and organizational resilience. Yet many companies still treat culture as a soft concept—difficult to define, hard to measure, and often relegated to posters or slogans. Forward-thinking leaders know better. They understand that culture

Culture-Driven Transformation: The Executive Search Advantage

The Energists is a boutique executive search firm focused on the energy sector. Its client list is diverse across the energy industry, geographies, and business scenarios. A boutique, high integrity firm established in 1979, The Energists operates exclusively within the energy industry. Its staff comprises accomplished industry professionals and leaders, each with their own area

Shaping Culture from the C-Suite to the Front Line

Founded in 1998, The Christopher Group has expanded its offerings beyond traditional executive search to deliver agile HR business solutions, including executive search, interim HR leaders, fractional CHROs, and HR advisory & consulting. The firm serves large corporations, middle-market companies, private equity firms, family-owned enterprises, and closely-held businesses, providing comprehensive solutions to their human capital

A Closer Look at Private Equity’s Evolving Playbook for Executive Talent

Private equity firms are raising the bar for executive talent, driven by a post-pandemic return to in-office expectations and an intensified focus on leadership performance. As firms prioritize in-person leadership to rebuild culture and drive alignment, a disconnect is emerging between employer demands and candidate preferences for flexibility. At the same time, a slowdown in

Talent Shift: Culture, Leadership Style, and Flexibility Take Center Stage

What’s the biggest shift you’ve seen in PE clients’ expectations when it comes to executive hiring over the past year? Woodhead: The most significant shift in private equity clients’ expectations for executive hiring has been a pronounced movement back toward in-office presence requirements. Before COVID, about 80 percent of my searches required people to be

How Talent is Transforming Private Equity Strategies

Zack, why is talent increasingly viewed as a critical driver of value creation in private equity? In the absence of the financial engineering options previously afforded PE sponsors, talent is more critical than ever in executing value creation plans. Furthermore, with asset hold tines increasing and exits harder to come by, top tier management teams

The Future of Healthcare Leadership: Navigating AI, Innovation, and Talent Demands

The healthcare and life sciences industries are undergoing a major transformation, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and digital innovation. These technologies are reshaping drug discovery, patient care, and operational efficiency, requiring leaders who can harness innovation while optimizing complex systems. As competition for top talent intensifies, organizations are prioritizing executives with strong business

Growth and M&A Activity to Surge Across Recruitment Sector In 2025

Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive search firms, giving the sector its first official performance review on last year’s activity. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruitment sector in 2024, despite an economically challenging year. “The recruiting sector found stability and recovery in 2024

Navigating 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Executive Recruiting

Matt, what trends in executive recruiting do you see impacting 2025 most? As we move through 2025, several key trends are shaping the executive recruiting landscape. Companies are placing a greater emphasis on agility and adaptability in leadership as they navigate economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and evolving workforce expectations. One of the biggest shifts is

Driving Growth Through Specialized Talent Acquisition

Jordan, how has The Bridger Group performed in recent years? Our growth has come largely from our people and our process. We have tripled in size since 2020, both from a revenue and headcount perspective. Our leadership team (the partners in our organization) comprises some of the best recruiters in the industry and greatly accelerated

Uncertainties and Tensions Aside, Canadian Search Market Remains Robust

Executive search firms in Canada reflect the country’s diverse economy, geography, and culture, with a mix of global players like Korn Ferry, national firms, and boutiques. Major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal serve as key hubs, each with distinct market characteristics—Toronto’s financial prominence, Calgary’s ties to oil and gas, and Quebec’s French-language

Driving Executive Search Success in Canada: Aplin’s Approach to Finding Top Leadership

Jeff, can you give us a sense of the current executive search climate in Canada? The climate is dynamic and increasingly competitive. As organizations navigate digital transformation, economic uncertainties, and the push for sustainable growth, the demand for visionary leaders has never been higher. Companies are seeking leadership that not only delivers operational results but

How Canadian Executive Search Firms Are Shaping Talent Acquisition

Marc, what are the key differences between executive search firms in Canada and other countries? Executive search firms in Canada exhibit unique characteristics that distinguish them from their counterparts in other countries, particularly in terms of industry focus and search strategies. Canadian executive search firms often have a strong emphasis on industries that are pivotal

CFOs as Strategic Architects: Navigating Transformation in Financial Services

Financial services organizations, generally, are facing a new competitive market, regulatory challenges and a constant struggle to manage cost and efficiency. This requires strategic leaders, both men and women, with a multidimensional skill-set and competencies that often go above and beyond any typical job description. CFOs play a pivotal role in navigating this evolving sector,

Forward from Finance: From CFO to CEO

CFOs transitioning to CEOs are uniquely positioned to lead organizations with a strong foundation in financial expertise and strategic decision-making. Their deep understanding of financial health, risk management, and capital allocation allows them to make data-driven decisions that align with long-term organizational goals. CFOs often have significant experience communicating with boards, investors, and stakeholders, giving

Executive Search 2025: Balancing AI Innovation with a Human Touch

The executive search industry is entering one of its most transformative eras, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and shifting client needs and expectations. In 2024, firms faced many challenges marked by economic uncertainty, evolving workforce dynamics, and increasing demand for specialized leadership roles. While internal talent mobility and cautious hiring strategies were

Diversified Search Group: Pioneering Leadership Solutions for 50 Years

Judee, DSG just celebrated its 50th year in business. To what do you credit your firm’s longevity? Judee: Our longevity comes down to one simple truth: we understand people—our clients, our candidates, and each other— and we deliver what we promise. From day one, we’ve been about building genuine relationships, setting the bar high for

Passion and Curiosity: What Today’s Executive Search Experts are Looking For

Nearly every person in the U.S. has some exposure in one way or another to a non-profit organization—as an employee, a volunteer, a donor, or a beneficiary, through initiatives or community impact or dozens of other touchpoints. That said, the non-profit sector—now the third largest employment sector in the U.S. according to a report from

The Evolving Dynamics of Executive Search in a Leaner Private Equity Environment

The interplay between private equity firms and executive recruiters has transformed dramatically over the last decade. No longer confined to a simple client-vendor relationship, these interactions have grown into strategic alliances that are essential for success in a highly competitive environment, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. As the demand for exceptional talent escalates, the

Demand for Capital-Efficient Growth Fuels Competition for Top PE/VC Talent

Eric, give us an overview of the current climate for recruiting PE/ VC talent? The market is growing tighter for key roles, especially CEOs, COOs and Go-to-Market leaders. Effectively, executives who directly touch growth, revenue or profit via operational efficiency are in demand. This is happening in part because deal flow is starting to recover.

Private Equity’s Evolving Leadership Needs

Thaddeus, what specific qualities do you look for in candidates when recruiting for senior leadership roles for clients in the private equity sector? Private equity firms want to see concrete examples of EBITDA growth, successful exits, and strategic initiatives that moved the needle, so we look for a demonstrated track record of driving measurable results

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