Kennedy Executive Search Adds New Partner in Belgium
March 3, 2021 – Kennedy Executive Search, a network of independent executive search firms, has added Tavernier & Van De Vijver in Belgium as its newest member firm. The firm becomes Kennedy’s 13th partner firm, bringing the total number of offices in Europe, North America, and Latin America to 20. Tavernier & Van De Vijver, with offices in Ghent and Antwerp, was founded 2014 by Veerle Van De Vijver and Luc Tavernier. The firm provides an integrated approach to HR management, ranging from executive search to leadership development for a variety of clients in a wide range of industries. Both Ms. Van De Vijver and Mr. Tavernier have a track record in business development. Ms. Van De Vijver started her career in sales and marketing and was business development manager for a company specialized in the production of equipment for the automotive industry. She entered the world of executive search in 2011, in her role as executive partner of a corporate governance consultancy firm. Mr. Tavernier has previously been managing director for a number of major HR consultancy firms before starting his career as an independent consultant specialized in leadership development and personal coaching.
For the partners of the Kennedy network, a presence in Belgium has been high on their wish list. “Belgium is the main gateway to Europe,” said Pablo Perella-Berdun, president of Kennedy Executive Search. “Not only because the council of the European Union has its seat in Brussels, but also because of its strategic location, the port of Antwerp, and the abundance of international companies that have offices there. Having an office in Belgium will allow us to further grow our network in Europe and expand our global presence.”
“We look for the right experience, mindset and level of service in all our partners. But equally important is that there is an instant connection with the network’s partners,” Mr. Perella-Berdun said. “Luc and Veerle are a great match and fit the bill perfectly, both personally and professionally. We are thrilled to have them and their team on board.”
“We consider ourselves solution providers,” said Ms. Van De Vijver. “Our goal is to offer solutions to recruitment and HR-related needs both domestically and abroad. In order to achieve this, we were looking into having access to an international network of like-minded people, who understand our business, our values, and who can help us expand our activities on a global scale. Kennedy Executive Search ticked all of these boxes. Joining the network will assist us in offering an even higher level of service to our clients and can help us take our company global.”
“The partners of Kennedy share our DNA,” said Mr. Tavernier. “They are senior, experienced consultants, who are committed to delivering high-quality services to their clients and candidates. We can’t wait to benefit from their experience, gain insights into different areas and share best practices with them.”
Serving Clients Globally
Kennedy Executive Search offers “360 talent management,” as the firm calls it, from executive search to coaching during a placement’s integration period, and a host of other talent and leadership consulting services.
Kennedy Executive Search Appoints New President
Kennedy Executive Search has elected Pablo Perella-Berdun as its new president and Frank Knudsen as vice president. The election is a consequence of the network’s economic interest group (EIG) structure. In an EIG, all partners become equal stakeholders and together elect their leadership each year. “It’s been an exhilarating ride leading Kennedy through 2020,” said Caroline Frisenberg, parting president.
In 2020, Kennedy established a foothold in Sweden. Frisenberg J. & Associates, Kennedy’s partner office in Monaco opened a second office in Gothenburg, marking the 20th partner destination for the global network of privately-owned recruiting firms. Frisenberg J. & Associates is headed by Kennedy’s current president, Swedish-born Caroline Frisenberg. It is the second Scandinavian city for the network along with DNA Headhunting in Copenhagen.
“Sweden is my heritage, my home market so to speak,” Ms. Frisenberg said. “I know the culture, the language and am in tune with current trends in the Swedish job market. Furthermore, I have a strong network of both clients and candidates here, gained through my 15 years of experience in recruitment for Swedish companies. It made perfect sense to open an office there.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
