Lock Search Group Announces Expansion
December 12, 2025 – Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group has expanded with the addition of Nick Kanaan as a consultant in British Columbia. “We are thrilled to welcome Nick Kanaan as the newest member of our team at Lock Search Group,” Lock Search Group said in a LinkedIn post. “His collaborative, client-focused approach and deep understanding of business leadership make him a trusted partner for both clients and candidates. Please join us in welcoming Nick to the Lock Search Group team.”
Mr. Kanaan has over 15 years of leadership experience spanning sales, operations, marketing, and finance. He leverages his business acumen and industry insight to support clients across consumer packaged goods, B2B, insurance, and financial services. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations — from emerging enterprises to global brands — build high-performing teams and achieve sustainable growth.
Prior to joining Lock Search Group, Mr. Kanaan held senior roles supporting leading organizations, where he played a key role in driving operational excellence and leading strategic growth initiatives. He most recently served as a division leader at iData Research. Prior to that, Mr. Kanaan spent over nine years with Samsung Electronics, where he was a national sales and operations manager. Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Kanaan is actively involved in his community and has served on several advisory boards.
“After years of building and leading teams across incredible organizations from start-ups to global leaders, I’m excited to share that I’ve joined an elite team at Lock Search Group,” Mr. Kanaan said in a LinkedIn post. “I look forward to doing what I love most which is helping people and companies grow through lived experience and a deep understanding of what makes a great partner.”
With offices across Canada and parts of the U.S., Lock Search Group is an executive search and recruitment firm with a track record of success. Every consultant at Lock has held a leadership role in the industry they now recruit for. The firm’s search consultants have an average tenure of 12 years.
Jack Gawen and Ben Lamarche are managing directors of Lock. Over the course of more than 17 years, Mr. Gawen has played significant roles for such market leaders as Ceridian, American Express and Workopolis. He comes to Lock with direct experience in delivering results for enterprises large and small. Mr. Gawen has been at the forefront of establishing and building sales divisions from the ground up. His passion for winning, success, and client focus are the key factors in his development.
Related: Upskilling and Reskilling for a Future-Ready Workforce
Mr. Lamarche has been with the Lock family for over 15 years, working initially out of Montreal and now based in the Toronto office. He started his recruitment career in life sciences. Mr. Lamarche has extensive experience in managing complex recruitment projects. In the last few years, he has had success in managing true leadership roles (CEO, president, GM, COO, CFO) within a number of organizations.
Toronto’s Executive Search Market Heats
The Canadian job market is showing signs of resilience despite ongoing economic pressures. While higher interest rates and slowing consumer demand have created challenges in sectors like real estate and retail, the country continues to experience steady demand for workers in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. Immigration remains a key driver of labor force growth, with Canada relying on newcomers to fill critical shortages, particularly in nursing, construction, and IT. Wage growth has moderated compared to the rapid increases of the past two years, but employers are still competing for top talent in specialized fields.
Overall, recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media that the market reflects a mix of caution and opportunity, with workers facing more competition for roles in certain industries, while others—especially essential services and emerging tech—remain in strong need of skilled professionals.
Mr. Gawen and Mr. Lamarche recently sat down with Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss the state of the executive search market in Toronto, where competition for leadership talent has reached unprecedented levels. To read the full interview please click here!
Related: Leading Through Turbulent Times: 5 Things Every CEO Can Focus On
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
