Inspired-Search Expands to Switzerland

May 7, 2018 – Amsterdam-headquartered executive recruiting firm Inspired-Search has opened a new office in Geneva. The Swiss office will be managed by Jan Paul Olijslager, who has more than 15 years of experience working in different countries and in different positions in the transport, logistics and supply chain industry

“We’re extremely pleased with Jan Paul joining Inspired-Search and with the geographical expansion,” said Edwin Tuyn and Oskar Verkamman, directors of Inspired-Search in a statement. “There are of course numerous international companies who have their European, EMEA or global head offices in Switzerland, and over the past couple of years we have been able to assist quite a few of these companies with the recruitment of new staff.”

Previously, the firm filled such roles working out of the Netherlands. “And although this worked out well we think that with opening our own office in Switzerland we will be able to increase the service level to our international customers and grow our international business,” the directors said.

Inspired-Search has seen the benefits of focusing on the supply chain industry throughout its existence. It now has offices in the Netherlands, Singapore and Geneva,and is looking to add others. “Having Jan Paul on board is a major step forward in our ambition to build an international organization and to be able to support our global customers,” said the directors. “Jan Paul’s international experience and background in logistics and supply chain made him the perfect partner for the Inspired-Group.”

Logistics Veteran

Mr. Olijslager has been working with logistics service providers in different roles, and he has spent several years assisting international companies (both SMEs and multinationals) in setting up warehousing and distribution activities in Europe. Previously, he served as senior manager, supply chain solutions at the Holland International Distribution Council, which supplies tailor-made supply-chain advice and matchmaking services to foreign companies that are re-engineering their supply-chain structures. During his career, Mr. Olijslager has worked at 3PLs providing logistics services to international customers and as a supply-chain consultant. During this period, he assisted numerous international companies in setting up or restructuring European supply-chain operations.

The new Inspired-Search office will be primarily focused on executive search in Switzerland for senior executive logistics and supply-chain positions.

“My experience working for international logistics companies and as a consultant supporting international companies setting up warehousing and distribution operations in Europe will be extremely useful and I am looking forward to make use of my knowledge, experience and international network in my new position,” said Mr. Olijslager. “I am pleased to join an expanding international executive search firm that already has a strong presence in Europe.”

Inspired-Search is a specialized executive search and interim management organization for senior professionals in logistics, supply chain, procurement, transport, operations and manufacturing. The firm has a geographic focus on: Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America and the Middle East.

Swiss Market

Switzerland has a stable, prosperous and high-tech economy and in multiple rankings is listed as the wealthiest country in the world per capita. It is home to several large multinational corporations, which has helped make it an attractive area for search firms to expand. Here is a sampling of recruiting firms who have expanded in Switzerland from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

The RSA Group, which is based in London, has increased its commitment to serving clients in Switzerland. Thomas Schleimer, a partner at the RSA Group with extensive international search and healthcare experience, will now also be working from the firm’s Basel office as the search firm expands in the EMEA region.

Pedersen & Partners has opened an office in Zürich and named Thomas Heeger as the country manager for Switzerland. Mr. Heeger has been working in executive search since 2009. He was previously the managing partner for Switzerland for boutique firm DELTACON Executive Search & Recruiting.

Paris-based recruitment firm GenSearch has opened a new office in Basel, Switzerland and named Heiko Bruhn as managing director. He brings over two decades of experience in the life science industry with a strong focus on the biotech and pharma industries. Life sciences is strongly represented in Switzerland. 

Coulter Partners opened an office in Zurich and tapped Phillipp Buis as executive director. Mr. Buis joined the Swiss based team to focus on international search work across a broad spectrum of scientific and commercial functions in the pharmaceuticals, med tech and biotech sectors, with an emphasis on discovery, global clinical development and medical affairs. 

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