IMD International Adds Member Firms in Palo Alto and London
September 28, 2016 – IMD International Search Group has added Palo Alto, CA-based Fortra Executive Search and London-headquartered Hill Coates Associates as its newest member firms.
Fortra Executive Search is a boutique firm specialized in the specific niche of the venture-funded and private equity technology market in San Francisco. Andy Grosso, who has a background of 11 years in executive search and a previous experience in technology, specifically enterprise software sales and sales management at both pre-IPO and public companies, founded Fortra in 2013. Prior to Fortra Search, Mr. Grosso gathered eight years of executive search experience as a partner with Riviera Partners.
“We are thrilled and honored to become members of IMD at such an exciting time,” said Mr. Grosso.” The future shines bright and we look forward to working closely with other member firms to enhance the service, experience and worldwide reach for our clients.”
Fortra Executive Search was introduced to IMD International by Joseph E. Onstott, founder and managing director of The Onstott Group. “We are very pleased to welcome Andy Grosso and Fortra Search to our U.S. team,” he said. “I have known Andy both personally and professionally for a number of years. He brings strong knowledge of the technology industry, particularly the venture capital market. We feel that Andy and his firm will provide an excellent complement to our existing IMD offices.”
Membership Expansion
“We are delighted to say that 2016 is by far the best year in IMD history for membership expansion, with no less than five new members, and the year is not over,” said Dr. Matthias Mohr, IMD president and managing partner of Dr. Heimeier & Partner in Germany. “This new membership allows us to cover the U.S. market even better, both in terms of geography and practice expertise. Fortra really adds value to IMD in a specific IT sector where a true specialist is irreplaceable for our clients.”
Hill Coates, founded in 2008, specializes in leadership roles in private equity-backed companies. The firm was acquired by an international executive search group in 2011 from which the partners have recently withdrawn in order to start a new entity under their old brand.
Hill Coates currently has five senior consultants and support staff and operates in most sectors, including business & professional services; financial services (asset management, private equity); industrial; consumer products & services; life sciences; public sector & education; real estate & construction and technology.
Hill Coates’ core business is executive search but the firm also offers non-executive search, private equity search, management assessment, succession planning and leadership consulting services.
“We believe that executive search is best executed not through large sales-driven international firms but by more focused firms with a consultancy approach and a high level of service executing their international business through very trusted and similarly driven firms in other countries,” said Simon Hill, managing consultant. “We have finally found the international collaboration we sought in the IMD network and we look forward to bringing the benefits of this to our international clients.”
In June, IMD International strengthened its presence in South America with the addition of Osser & Osser. Headquartered in São Paulo, Osser & Osser is led by Anna Luiza Osser and Patricia Osser Sales who founded the firm in 2002. It provides search services to medium and large-sized national and multinational companies, start-ups, family companies and non-profit organizations.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
