Kennedy Executive Search Appoints Practice Leader
April 9, 2021 – Kennedy Executive Search, a network of independent executive search firms, has named Eric Pringle as practice leader for the industrial segment. In this role, he will structure Kennedy’s collective experience and services in recruitment for leadership roles in the sector across the Americas and Europe. Mr. Pringle is the founder and managing partner of Integrated People Solutions / Kennedy Executive Search Denver. In the last several years, the industrial sector has gone through some dynamic changes, according to Kennedy. “Complex global supply chains, the shift of labor overseas, big data, automation and robotics have really changed the landscape in the sector,” the firm said. “In turn, this has shifted recruitment needs considerably. The qualifications that were previously required are now subordinate to a new set of skills and expertise to match the industrial sector of the future.”
“We have worked with some of the most cutting-edge clients in the industry with respect to modernization and efficiency, so we can add tremendous value to those firms trying to drive transformation,” said Mr. Pringle. “Being able to adapt to change has never been so important. When we look at the sector in the context of COVID-19, we are seeing some businesses thriving while others are shut down depending on what they make and how fast they can adapt. We have seen automotive parts plants be converted to meet the increased need for ventilators, which is just one example. There are many smart, creative, flexible, and adaptable people in this sector who can really solve for any challenge.”
“Even the largest company can feel like a start-up in some stages of their lifecycle,” Mr. Pringle said. “When doing business far from their home market for instance. As a global network, we understand the complexities of multinational operations but can combine this with in-depth local knowledge and know-how of regulations, culture, practices and available talent.”
Mr. Pringle holds an MBA from Duke University with a focus on global management and before that completed his bachelor’s degree in industrial relations and human resources at the University of Iowa. After a career as a human resources leader at companies such as Wells Fargo, US WEST, and chemical and oil company Amoco, he started Integrated People Solutions / Kennedy Executive Search Denver.
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 recently added Tavernier & Van De Vijver in Belgium as its newest member firm. The firm became 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.
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
