Level 5 Partners Opens Doors

February 10, 2021 – Thomas Aprill, a seasoned human capital executive, has launched Level 5 Partners, a Chicago-based consulting-driven executive search firm. “Level 5 Partners was formed to help our clients achieve their goals by delivering industry-leading executives across the globe who align with their culture, principles and values,” said Mr. Aprill. “We believe that the best executives are sourced from the networks of other successful professionals and that the most successful hires are the result of a strong understanding of our clients’ businesses, challenges and long-term strategy.”

Building on this philosophy, Mr. Aprill has created what he calls a consulting-driven executive search firm. “We are uniquely focused on a core set of industry verticals, with each vertical being led by a seasoned operating executive that possesses deep relevant experience and relationships. Our industry vertical advisors are transformational thought leaders. They advise based on current and future economic and geopolitical trends that will shape tomorrow.”

Mr. Aprill has decades of experience leading board of directors, C-suite and senior leadership searches for public and private companies, private equity and has held partner and executive level talent acquisition positions for some of the largest and most prestigious consulting and professional service firms globally, including Accenture, Cognizant, DHR International, Genpact and Infosys.

Level 5 Partners’ team has expertise across the aerospace and defense, business and professional services, consumer goods and retail, cybersecurity, data and analytics, digital media and marketing, industrial and automotive (including electric and autonomous vehicles) and quantum computing sectors. Mr. Aprill is joined by a global group of career operating executives who have held senior level roles at firms such as Avanade, Cap Gemini, Deloitte, Fairmont Hotels, Hyatt, IBM, KPMG, Lyft, Macy’s, Publicis Groupe, PwC, Ritz Carlton, Textron Aviation, WPP and Xerox Corp. “Utilizing a sector-focused approach, these operating executives will serve as Industry vertical advisors to consult with clients to identify, recruit and onboard the global talent necessary to develop and execute long-term strategy and to maximize their total growth,” Level 5 said.

Open for Business

Over the past year, new recruiting firms have put out shingles around the world in a wide range of industries. Here’s a look at a recent sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Mark Oppenheimer, former CEO Americas for Marlin Hawk in New York, has launched Modern Executive Solutions in Atlanta. He co-founded the new search outfit with his wife, Michelle Domanico, who serves as chief financial officer. Modern’s purpose, according to Mr. Oppenheimer – who serves as chief executive – is to improve “diverse representation within leadership teams.” The firm has spent months collecting, tracking, and analyzing feedback from hundreds of C-level executives before launching recently. Modern bills itself as “an innovative executive search and integrated advisory solutions firm,” underpinned with market intelligence and assessment capabilities – strong points of Mr. Oppenheimer’s while serving in various leadership capacities at Marlin Hawk over a 12-year career with the London-based recruitment provider. As he did with Marlin Hawk, Mr. Oppenheimer will address client talent needs with a customizable service approach. “We are determined to set a new benchmark for the search industry,” he said.

Vantedge Search has been recently launched by Rajesh Khanna and Sandeep Mitra. The Hillsborough, NJ-headquartered firm specializes in executive search and talent advisory for firms across industries. Belinda Burson has been hired as managing director to spearhead global operations. “As businesses realign themselves in the post-pandemic world, executive search and talent acquisition sectors are undergoing transformation to meet changing demands,” said Mr. Khanna. “We are adapting to the new normal, as our clients continue seeking top-notch talent. This bodes well for us since our globally distributed team at Vantedge is adept at spotting leadership talent equipped with the right combination of domain and soft skills in today’s digital world.”

Debra L. Lee, the former CEO of BET Networks, and Rabia de Lande Long, an executive coach and management consultant for top companies, have launched a bi-coastal consulting firm, the Monarchs Collective, centered on elevating black executives and women. “The Monarchs Collective answers the calls for – and clear business value of – diverse leadership, and partners with organizations and executives to make it easier to discover, develop, and promote exceptional black and women executives for boards and leadership roles,” said the firm’s new leaders. “Frustrated by a perceived lack of qualified candidates who bring diversity but inspired by the great number of extraordinary talent in their networks, the co-founders launched the Monarchs Collective to break old systems and networks. They seek to accelerate efforts to expand leadership pipelines and create measurable and sustainable systems for engaging and retaining diverse talent.”

Recruitment industry veteran Tim Walsh has launched Vetted, a boutique recruitment and outplacement firm focused on supporting Greater Boston’s innovation ecosystem. “We want to help companies navigate this new world of talent acquisition, where remote hiring and the renewed importance of diversity hiring have come to the forefront,” said Mr. Walsh. “With all that’s happened in 2020, it’s more important than ever to give back. To put that into action, we’re proud to donate 10 percent of our profits to local charitable causes while partnering with Boston-area businesses who share that mindset and are excited about the good we can do together.”

Veteran executive recruiter Steve Caliger has launched The Loring Group. Mr. Caliger has had a distinguished career as a sales leader and executive search consultant in the technology industry. He is a technology professional who has held leadership positions with several industry icons. With more than 20 years of executive search and consulting experience, Mr. Caliger develops senior leadership teams for sales, finance, product, engineering and information technology. In addition, he has done work for consumer products, financial services and non-profit organizations.