Mercuri Urval Appoints Leader of Americas Business
April 25, 2022 – Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has 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 Richard Moore, CEO of Mercuri Urval. “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.
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.
Based in Houston, TX, Ms. Murray will be responsible for the growth and expansion of the business of Mercuri Urval in the U.S., and across the Americas, by providing clients the spectrum of its service portfolio from executive search to leadership advisory and assessment, as well as further developing the import and export business for Mercuri Urval.
Ms. Murray was previously she senior managing partner for boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm Allen Austin. Before that, she spent 14 years with Pedersen & Partners as an equity partner, COO, and head of North America. She began her executive search career while living in Prague, and spent more than a decade in Europe, which provided her a deep exposure and insights into cultures and business needs across more than 50 countries globally. She has served her long-term clients globally and across industries with their executive leadership needs.
“I am truly honored to be joining such a highly reputable firm as Mercuri Urval,” said Ms. Murray. “From my time living in Europe, I came to know the firm and its values and commitment to excellence and quality and appreciate the high level of integrity in which all of my colleagues conduct business with their clients, candidates, and amongst ourselves. Our tagline ‘It’s about people’ is truly authentic and can be felt in every aspect of the organization, and I am proud to be a part of this amazing team and looking forward to what we will be able to do together in the U.S.”
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. Its U.S. headquarters is in Houston.
Recent Addition
Mercuri Urval has appointed Sanna-Mari Muukka, a former consultant with Russell Reynolds Associates, as a director, based in Helsinki. Ms. Muukka has more than 20 years of executive search, talent acquisition, and leadership experience across industries, with an emphasis on the service, retail, technology, and energy sectors.
At Russell Reynolds, Mr. Muukka was part of the Nordic practice working on C-suite searches. Prior to that, she served two previous stints with Mercuri Urval, working as group director, director, and senior consultant, head of talent management services. She has also been HRD manager for international real estate company Realia Group, among other roles.
“We are delighted to have Sannis back to our team,” said Aki Hyryläinen, partner and director of Mercuri Urval. “It’s always nice when our colleagues decide to return after their working in other professional companies. With her solid experience, active attitude, and understanding of our value for our clients she aligns nicely with our client needs.”
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
