Kennedy Executive Search Adds Unterberger & Partner as Member Firm
April 19, 2019 – Kennedy Executive Search, a network of independent executive search firms, has added Unterberger & Partner, which has offices in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as its newest member firm. This provides the organization with further access to the German-speaking markets in Europe.
Established in 2007, Unterberger & Partner is led by industry veteran Markus Unterberger and operates from offices in Munich, Frankfurt, Salzburg and Zurich. The firm places executives and leadership positions for a variety of international clients, specifically German-speaking markets as well as Central and Eastern Europe. The firm is specialized, but not limited to the financial services industry. Areas it serves include banks, insurance companies as well as positions in digitalization, anti-financial crime, compliance, regulatory affairs, legal and security for companies within and outside of financial services.
“We are always looking for ways to expand and broaden our horizon,” Mr. Unterberger said. “For the past 10 years, many if not most of the assignments we worked on were international and for clients that operate globally. Joining Kennedy, we can accelerate our international footprint even further.”
“Furthermore, it opens up doors to new markets and new industries and offers new opportunities,” he said. “But it will also allow us to meet and exchange with likeminded peers that share the same passion for executive search and have the same global mindset. We look forward to learn from their knowledge and expertise and to share best practices with them. This in turn will benefit the level of service we can all provide our clients, both international and local.”
“With potential new partners for our network, we try to meet as many criteria we set as possible,” said Jorg Stegemann, CEO and founder of Kennedy. “We look for a minimum of 10 years’ experience in executive search for instance.”
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“Markus can look back on 20 years in executive search, so he ticks that box more than well,” Mr. Stegemann said. “But when it comes to that other important criterion, an international footprint, we strive to look for more than ‘just’ experience with international clients. A true global mindset often stems from a person’s character rather than the company’s experience. Markus is a true global citizen. This is reflected in both his professional career and in his education as he studied in Italy,” he said. “Furthermore, with his open minded and enthusiastic character combined with his professionalism, he also meets one of the other important criteria; he fits in the team.”
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. With Unterberger & Partner joining, the network now has offices in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Monaco, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the U.S.
Global Expansion
The organization recently expanded into Washington, D.C. with the addition of TH Bender as a member firm. TH Bender has completed over 300 search assignments, 90 percent commissioned by companies outside of the U.S., including dozens for country managers guiding the North American operations of European and Asian corporations. The firm focuses on the recruiting needs of non-American companies across the high-tech, industrial, financial, life-sciences, energy and automotive industries. Tilman Bender, who still leads many of its search assignments, founded the company in 2005.
Recently, Kennedy appointed Louise Royer as marketing director. She is responsible for building and executing marketing strategies to support the growth of the network. She will also be in charge of brand development strategies. Ms. Royer will assume her responsibilities immediately.
Kennedy also named Carl Lens as managing director EMEA. Mr. Lens is co-founder and owner of Kennedy’s Dutch partner office, Lens, Executive Search based in Amsterdam. Before founding his firm, he was global head of healthcare for London-based recruitment firm Nicholson. Prior to his latest appointment, Mr. Lens was managing director for Europe for the network.
Lastly, Kennedy expanded into South Africa with the addition of Evolve Executive Search in Johannesburg. This became Kennedy’s first African partner for the network. Evolve was founded in 2011 and is headed by Adam Ginster. The firm executes high-end search assignments throughout South Africa and more than 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Its clients include those in mining, metals, oil and petroleum, infrastructure, energy, construction and industrial services, as well as financial services and TMT (technology, media and telecoms).
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
