Kestria Adds New Member Firm in Croatia
April 21, 2025 – Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added Profesio in Croatia as its newest member firm. “Kestria is delighted to welcome a new member firm in Croatia, marking an important milestone in our alliance’s growth within Europe,” the search consortium said. “This addition highlights our focus on delivering local expertise with a global perspective in all key regions. By expanding our presence in Croatia, we are enhancing opportunities for seamless collaboration and innovative solutions across borders.”
“Kestria continues its rapid expansion across the globe,” said Katerina Meimaroglou, president of the Kestria executive board. “We are proud to welcome our new partners in Croatia as we strengthen our presence in the Balkans, sharing a common DNA that will help us serve more clients in this developing region.”
Profesio assists clients in creating and building teams for specific, responsible roles while addressing the challenges of today’s market. “The company’s commitment to quality is reflected in their dedicated work, understanding the clients’ needs and fostering strong relationships with candidates in the labor market,” Kestria said. “With a long-standing tradition on the Croatian market, Profesio leverages extensive knowledge and experience daily to deliver exceptional results for their clients.”
“Kestria represents an important step for Profesio and our clients, but we believe that Kestria’s presence in Croatia is also a significant development for our region,” said Matija Mirkovic, sales development manager, Kestria Croatia. “Through our membership in Kestria, we aim to further enhance our services to respond as effectively as possible to the challenges our clients face. We are honored to be part of the alliance.”
Croatia’s economy is a dynamic mix of traditional industries and modern innovation, driven by tourism, services, and a growing tech sector. Since joining the European Union in 2013 and adopting the euro in 2023, Croatia has seen increased foreign investment and economic integration with the broader EU market. Tourism remains a dominant force, contributing significantly to GDP, especially along the Adriatic coast. At the same time, Croatia’s business landscape is diversifying, with strong growth in information technology, renewable energy, and real estate. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the economy, supported by government incentives and EU funding.
Related: Kestria Appoints Consumer & Retail Global Practice Leader
Kestria has partners in over 40 countries and 90 cities across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The consortium has completed more than 40,000 assignments for more than 4,000 clients, from game-changing start-ups to major global players.
New Member in New Orleans
Kestria also recently added LS International as a member firm in New Orleans, LA. LS is an executive search firm focused on the consumer and retail sectors. “This partnership reflects our commitment to bridging global expertise with local insight in key markets,” Kestria said. “Our alliance expansion continues to create unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and innovation on a global scale.”
Kestria Names New Practice Leaders
Kestria has named Manveet S. Hora, CEO of Synergy Consultants, (Kestria India) as the new global practice leader for the technology practice group and Philipp Mathieu, one of three managing partners of Viavanta, (Kestria Switzerland), as the new industrial/production global practice leader. Mr. Hora has spent over 15 years helping clients attract and secure top technology talent globally. He is also IRC Asia-Pacific regional leader and managing director of IRC India. “We are proud that Manveet S. Hora is going to lead our technology practice group, the fastest pace and growing in the market of executive search,” said Katerina Meimaroglou, president of the Kestria executive board. “We trust that he will be taking his team into a successful an innovative journey ahead.”
“The consumer and retail sector is evolving rapidly, fueled by digitalization, sustainability, and changing consumer preferences,” said Stepan Motejzik, Kestria’s global alliance director. “These shifts call for agile strategies and exceptional leadership. For our premium global executive search alliance, having a forward-thinking expert in the USA is vital to navigating these market dynamics and supporting our clients in securing leaders who can drive this transformation. We are thrilled to welcome Lauren to our team and look forward to a successful and impactful global partnership.”
“We are so happy to join the Kestria alliance,” said Lauren Stiebing, CEO of Kestria USA: LS International. “We’re excited to provide exceptional service to Kestria partners in the U.S. market while leveraging Kestria’s network to support our clients in new regions. We look forward to expanding the alliance’s reach in the consumer goods industry.”
“I firmly believe that LS International should consistently enable its clients to raise their business performance,” Ms. Stiebing said. “In this journey, I draw upon my extensive experience in executive search and knowledge of the consumer products/FMCG domain to develop customized solutions that address the unique talent needs of different business segments. My clients include well-known companies such as Bayer, Logitech, Sazerac, Danone, Mattel, Puma, etc.”
Related: Kestria Names Americas Practice Leader for its Technology Practice Group
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
