Crenshaw Associates Names Chief Commercial Officer
May 15, 2019 – Executive search firms continue to look for more ways to drive growth — and manage it. To that end, New York City-based recruiting firm Crenshaw Associates has expanded with the addition of Margaret Gramann as chief commercial officer. Her addition will accelerate and support continued growth with technology-enabled capabilities and new service offerings targeted to leading public, private and PE-owned corporations.
Previously, Ms. Gramann was a partner with DHR International. Her practice areas of expertise focused on consumer-driven industries supporting talent acquisition projects from emerging leader to C-suite and board positions. During her corporate career, Ms. Gramann served as a senior-level general manager and sales leader, responsible for multibillion-dollar P&Ls across several industries. Her experience included both public and private companies including Avon, Pulte Homes, Pepsico and the Coca-Cola Co.
“We are delighted to have Margaret leading our expansion efforts where she’ll be building on our 35-year history of delivering industry-leading value to executives and their corporations,” said Barbara Bridendolph, CEO of Crenshaw. “Her practical experience will be particularly helpful to our customers as they identify talent development and organizational needs.”
“We are thrilled to have Margaret at Crenshaw leading an aggressive growth agenda grounded in data and insights that evolve talent management solutions and development programs,” said Bill Glenn, executive chairman of Crenshaw.
Established in 1982, Crenshaw Associates provides a continuum of career services for senior executives that include individual and enterprise transformation planning and support. The firm represents a broad array of companies including public, private, private equity and not-for-profit/public institutions.
At the end of last year, Crenshaw Associates appointed Margaret-Ann Cole as its new president. She leads new product development, business development and service delivery. Ms. Cole joined the firm from Accenture where she led the North America workforce experience and HR practice.
“Margaret-Ann understands the talent challenges facing employers, and she is expert at helping them create effective solutions to attract, retain and develop senior leaders,” said Ms. Bridendolph.
Firms Looking to Excel Growth
Crenshaw Associates is among any number of search firms looking to boost growth with specialized executives. In April, London-based search firm Morgan Hunt appointed Darren Montagu as chief strategy officer. Mr. Montagu previously spent 27 years working for global recruiting firm Hays plc. “I am delighted to have Darren on board,” said Daniel Taylor, managing director of Morgan Hunt. “All those who have worked with him will know of his acute knowledge of recruitment businesses and his ability to inspire and drive exceptional performance. His arrival builds on a very positive 18 months for the company and will apply focus to the ambitious goals we have set for the business to achieve over the next four years.”
Ensuring Survival in Executive Search
Remaining relevant in today’s highly competitive business climate is one of the executive search industry’s toughest challenges, according to Tim Sheffield, chairman of Sheffield Haworth, in a new report by Invenias, a global provider of cloud-based software for executive search firms.
“Clients are far more sophisticated in how they acquire senior talent than ever before,” said Mr. Sheffield. “Many have pretty impressive in-house talent acquisition teams, so our industry has to ensure it is adding value – or what is its purpose?”
DRG Search also added Amichaim Abramson as chief strategy officer. Mr. Abramson collaborates with the DRG team to continue providing top-notch executive search services across the non-profit sector. He also works closely with CEO Dara Klarfeld and David Edell, the firm’s president, “to build upon DRG’s experience in talent recruitment in order to diversify the products and services we offer our clients,” DRG said.
In addition, ZRG Partners added Alex Bennett as chief growth officer, respectively. Mr. Bennett works in ZRG’s London office and supports global medical devices, medical technology and diagnostic clients, leveraging his impressive track record of senior-level executive search. He also helps ZRG expand its team across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, finding new opportunities for growth in key targeted markets.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
