Egon Zehnder Appoints U.S. Market Leader
April 21, 2026 – Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Grant Clayton as U.S. market leader. He succeeds German Herrera, who has held the position since 2021 and was recently elected global chair of the firm.
“It has been a privilege to witness the outstanding leadership that has driven Egon Zehnder’s growth in the United States, and I am thrilled to welcome Grant as our new U.S. leader,” said Francesco Buquicchio, global CEO of Egon Zehnder. “His deep expertise, commitment, and forward-looking vision make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our U.S. team. As German transitions to the role of global chair, I am confident that Grant will build upon our Firm’s strong foundation and continue to deliver exceptional value for our clients and colleagues across the country.”
Mr. Clayton currently leads Egon Zehnder’s U.S. technology practice and formerly led the firm’s CFO and audit chair practice in the U.S. during his 15 years in the firm. He has deep experience in both executive search and leadership development, particularly with CFOs and financial leaders, with organizations ranging from Fortune 50 companies to small private-equity-backed businesses. Before joining Egon Zehnder, Mr. Clayton served as a partner and member of the investment committee of private equity firm CHB Capital Partners and as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he focused on strategy, operations improvement, and business development initiatives.
Mr. Clayton takes over the role from Mr. Herrera, who led the U.S. on a growth journey, opening four new offices in the country, growing the number of consultants to over 150 and through an acquisition of the Prince Houston Group in New York.
Related: Egon Zehnder Acquires The Prince Houston Group
Egon Zehnder currently ranks as a Top 5 global executive search firm, according to Hunt Scanlon Media. With more than 500 consultants in 70 offices and 36 countries around the globe, Egon Zehnder works with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies to provide board advisory services, CEO and leadership succession planning, executive search and assessment, and leadership development solutions. Since 1964, the firm has been at the forefront of defining top leadership in the face of changing economic conditions as well as major transitions in the executive search field.
New Philadelphia Office
Egon Zehnder recently opened a new office in Philadelphia, marking the firm’s 70th office globally. Ari Roitman will lead the Philadelphia office, bringing experience across leadership development and professional sports organizations, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Major League Baseball. “Building on our ongoing work in the Philadelphia region, it was important to us to establish a strong physical presence as well,” said Mr. Herrera. “The area is home to exceptional talent and a fast-growing economy. By bringing our integrated leadership services to Philadelphia, we’re able to support clients on a deeper level as they navigate pivotal moments, from CEO succession planning to organizational transformation.”
Egon Zehnder Elects ChairEgon Zehnder has elected German Herrera as the next chair by its worldwide partnership. The announcement comes in accordance with the firm’s established governance and three-year election cycle. Mr. Herrera will assume the role effective March 1, 2026 and will succeed Michael Ensser, who has held the position since 2022, in a planned succession at the conclusion of his regular term. “I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me by my colleagues,” said Mr. Herrera. “Egon Zehnder is the place for diverse, high-performing global talent, united by a shared commitment and equal partnership with a single global profit center, aligning us around what’s best for clients, always. As we look ahead, we are raising our ambition: bringing clients truly distinctive, tailored solutions that unite executive search and leadership development into a single, powerful offering designed to meet the demands of a new era of leadership.”
The Philadelphia office will deliver Egon Zehnder’s full suite of leadership advisory services and executive search to the region, including CEO succession, board effectiveness, executive search, leadership assessments, executive development, culture and organizational transformation and team effectiveness. The office will be staffed by consultants who live and work in the community, pairing global insights with local business operating realities to advise clients.
“Organizations today need more than just executive search,” said Mr. Roitman. “Our clients are seeking truly integrated leadership solutions that help shape culture, strengthen teams and guide leaders through the mounting complexities they face. Opening an office in Philadelphia reflects our commitment to meeting those needs with the full strength of Egon Zehnder’s expertise.”
Mr. Roitman leads Egon Zehnder’s U.S. sports practice. Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, he was the founder and CEO of Pivot Consulting Group, a consulting firm that specializes in marketing and strategic revenue growth.
Related: Egon Zehnder Appoints Leaders of Global Technology & AI Practice Group
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
