Hudson RPO Acquires Executive Solutions
March 15, 2024 – Hudson RPO, a global total talent solutions company owned by Old Greenwich, Conn.-based recruiting firm Hudson Global Inc., has acquired Executive Solutions, a Dubai-based talent solutions company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close later this month. “With the entry into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hudson RPO is strongly equipped to serve talent acquisition functions with volume hiring in the rapidly growing Middle East region,” the company said.
“The team at Executive Solutions is well known in the region for providing outstanding results for companies that see a competitive advantage in broadening their presence in the Middle East,” said Jacob Zabkowicz, global CEO of Hudson RPO. “This acquisition will give our clients across the globe confidence that we can find and place the best talent in the UAE and the Middle East region for their strategic business needs. We look forward to working with the deeply experienced and well-regarded Executive Solutions team to serve our combined client base on a global scale.”
Established in 2008, Executive Solutions has a track record of assisting organizations in finding and placing candidates for a wide range of roles across industries. The company provides outsourcing of both long- and short-term volume recruitment, rapid growth projects, special projects, overseas campaigns, and Emiratization.
“Hudson RPO is a globally known and well-respected firm, and we are anxious to bring our regional expertise to enhance the outstanding results clients have come to know and expect,” said James Watfa, founder and CEO of Executive Solutions.
Following the completion of the acquisition, Executive Solutions will be named “Executive Solutions: A Hudson RPO company.”
Real Deals
Acquisitions and consolidations continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. And it’s not just executive search firms. Technology-based outfits have also been in on the action. Here is a sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has acquired Ignata Finance Group, a U.K.-based executive search & finance recruitment and interim placement business. “Partnering with Ignata will enable our European growth strategy both in private equity but across our shared global customers, especially in the U.K.,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “Adding Ignata to the family of ZRG companies puts us another step closer to true global talent advisory.” Founded in 2017, Ignata partners with VC, PE, and listed organizations seeking chief financial officers and their teams. “We continue our commitment to build a world-class business, employing passionate consultants that are experts in their fields. The partnership with ZRG marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion,” said Ben Searls, founder of Ignata. “By joining forces with ZRG, we are not only enhancing our C-suite capabilities but also broadening our reach internationally.”
Global talent provider True has acquired Bleeker, an executive coaching and assessment company. Bleeker’s assessments, derived from neuroscience, and their inquiry-based coaching services have been rebranded as True Advance and are now part of True’s platform of products and services. “Through integrated assessment and coaching, True has enhanced our comprehensive talent management platform, solidifying our role as strategic partners to businesses building their leadership,” said Joe Riggione, co-founder and CEO of True. “True Advance provides leaders with invaluable insights about themselves, while simultaneously offering companies transparency into prospective hires’ performance and alignment with the existing leadership team dynamics.”
Paris-headquartered search firm Alexander Hughes has acquired Chicago-based DSML Executive Search. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The move marks a significant milestone in Alexander Hughes’ global growth strategy, positioning the firm as the global executive search and leadership firm of choice for businesses and corporations worldwide,” the search firm said. “The acquisition includes two new offices, one in Chicago and one in Boston.” In addition, Alexander Hughes will retain Myriam Le Cannellier, co-founder and director of DSML Executive Search, who becomes the managing partner of Alexander Hughes USA, and her team of experienced executive search professionals. “This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for our group,” said Julien Rozet, CEO of Alexander Hughes. “We are very proud to strengthen our presence in the U.S. and to have Myriam Le Cannellier and her team at the helm. Her expertise aligns perfectly with our commitment to deliver the highest standard of executive search and leadership advisory services globally.”
The Elevate Sports Ventures agency has acquired SRI and launched Elevate Talent, a new executive search and global talent advisory practice. The new firm will recruit senior leaders across sports, entertainment, media, lifestyle, technology, and gaming. Elevate is led by Al Guido, who also serves as president of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. Jim Chaplin, formerly CEO of SRI, will become global president of Elevate Talent. In his 14 years at the helm of SRI, Mr. Chaplin and his management team have spearheaded the firm’s transformation from a U.K.-based sports specialist firm to a global company in the executive search space, helping organizations with board structure, governance, and C-suite issues with talent and advisory solutions. “For the team at SRI, becoming part of Elevate feels like a perfect match,” said Mr. Chaplin. “We share a foundation in the world of sports and have used that particular vantage point to deliver for clients across a wide range of consumer-facing sectors. Our common experience, aligned to a rigorous, data-driven approach, gives us the tools to set organizations up for success.”
Related: Hunt Scanlon Media Launches M&A Advisory Service for Recruiters
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
