Executive Search Firms Continue Migration to South Africa
November 10, 2015 – MRINetwork, a global executive search and recruitment organization, has launched offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg Fourways. Lynn Kleinsmith has been named president of MRINetwork Cape Town while Nina Axt will lead the offices as managing director in Johannesburg Fourways.
With a background in talent acquisition and HR leadership, Ms. Kleinsmith previously served as head of HR for the South Africa and Sub Saharan African region for Adidas Group, where she was responsible for setting the Strategic HR direction for the South African and African growth plan for people and culture. Before that, she was HR regional executive for the Western Cape region at Dimension Data MEA. She also gained HR experience with VERISIGN and JPMorgan.
With over 10 years of HR and recruitment experience, Ms. Axt previously managed the tax recruitment function for experienced hire and graduate candidates, talent management, as well as general coordination of Africa mobility, for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She also held various HR and recruiting roles with Ernst & Young and FNB South Africa.
“Both Nina and Lynn have proven track records in the financial services industry and in human resources,” said John McDonald, president of MRINetwork. “Their combined experience and critical eye for talent ensure that they will be a great asset both to our organization and to their clients and candidates.”
“We are committed to combining insights and innovation with business and industry knowledge to help our clients excel globally in the financial services arena,” said Ms. Axt. “It is only when companies have the right people in place that they are able to reduce operating costs and drive performance.”
“Talent acquisition and recruiting are undergoing rapid change, challenging companies to leverage social networks and aggressively market their employment brands,” said Ms. Kleinsmith.
In September, MRINetwork opened its first office in Canada with the addition of a location in Ontario. The office is focused on the finance and accounting industries. MRINetwork plans to grow its presence in the Canadian recruitment market with expansion into the consumer goods, energy, technology and pharmaceutical markets.
MRINetwork is not the only executive recruiting firm to expand to the South African region. Just this summer, Heidrick & Struggles added Debbie Farnaby as a partner in its Johannesburg office and a member of the firm’s global technology & services practice. In addition, Modise Makhene joined Odgers Berndtson Sub-Saharan Africa as a principal in its Johannesburg office, bringing business development and client relationship management experience having worked in the FMCG, media, advertising, digital & communications industries.
Global consortiums have also expanded their footprint in the region. Search organizations Amrop, AESC, IIC Partners, and IRC Partners have all added member firms in the region in 2015.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
