Mercuri Urval Appoints Head of Client Consulting and Executive Search

September 13, 2022 – Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has strengthened its U.S. team with the addition of Lisa Brantley as head of client consulting and executive search in Houston, TX. “I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa almost three years ago, and was as impressed then, as now, with her high-level of integrity and strong principles, with which she conducts every aspect of her life, along with her commitment to delivering best-in-class service to her clients,” said Darcie Murray, SVP and head of the Americas for MU. “We continued to cultivate our relationship, and after myself joining MU, began the discussions with Lisa about joining us. She brings the right attitude and values to the team, and will now have a global platform to service her clients, and help us grow our business here in the U.S. I’m excited about the opportunity to finally get to work with Lisa, and I look forward to watching her flourish with MU.”

Ms. Brantley has spent her career in executive search, client relationship management, and business leadership. She has executed over 500 searches and consulting engagements. She began her career with a commercial real estate investment firm where she served as the controller and VP of human resources. Ms. Brantley spent several years with Pryor Learning Solutions where she delivered educational training for many prominent organizations including Walmart Corp., the Department of the Air Force, Tyson Foods, as well as many other organizations across various business sectors.

Ms. Brantley formerly served as VP of business development and recruiting for a professional services and consulting firm where she led its recruiting practice and was responsible for building client and partnership relationships to produce growth in multiple lines of business. In 2012, she launched AlexCharles Search Partners, focusing on leadership and executive searches in the financial services, professional services, and oil and gas sectors. She has placed leaders at the CFO, COO, vice president, and practice leader levels.

“I am both elated and honored to be joining the MU organization,” Ms. Brantley said. “For me, MU brings a unique combination of a culture of integrity and authenticity, with an impressive science-based leadership acquisition, assessment process, and a team of leaders and professionals who are passionate about what we do and committed to excellence in search. With over 3,000 clients across all sectors and in over 60 countries, MU’s track record of success and global capabilities provide a platform for me to do more for my existing clients in the U.S. Looking forward to all that is ahead.”

Mercuri Urval is a global executive search and talent advisory firm. The firm was founded in 1967. Today, Mercuri Urval works with more than 3,000 clients – across all sectors – in over 70 countries every year. It is the only global executive search and leadership advisory firm based in the Nordics.

U.S. Growth

Mercuri Urval has been present in the U.S. since 1981, and in more recent years, the business was predominantly focused on the East Coast and in servicing its European clients doing business in the U.S. The firm has recommitted itself to establishing a strong presence in the market, and is fully dedicated to investing in, and reinvigorating, its business across the entirety of the U.S.

Mercuri Urval recently added Stephen Spagnuolo to build and lead its cybersecurity Americas practice. “Information and cybersecurity is a priority for CEOs and boards, and it’s fair to say will remain so for many years to come. We are delighted to welcome Stephen to further strengthen our advisory expertise in this essential area,” said CEO Richard Moore. Mr. Spagnuolo will split his time between the firm’s newly launched metro New York and heritage Washington, D.C. offices. He will contribute to the firm’s science-based solutions—executive search, assessment, and advisory—to corporates, PE/VC backed domain cyber, and fintech companies, as well as professional services firms and consultancies, across the U.S. and Canada and in collaboration with Mercuri Urval partners across Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

Mercuri Urval also named Darcie Murray as new head of the Americas business. “We are delighted to have such a globally exposed and senior executive like Darcie lead our U.S. team,” said Mr. Moore. “Her experience building and running client-centric teams across geographies in executive search and leadership advisory aligns perfectly with our clients most important needs.” said Matthias Loidold, group director, who handed over the business to Ms. Murray and will further support on leading and growing the Americas region.

Related: Mercuri Urval Names CEO

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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