Odgers Berndtson Appoints IT Services and Telecommunications Practice Leader in U.K.
April 16, 2021 – Odgers Berndtson has appointed Tim Sleep as leader of its IT services and telecommunications practices in the U.K. Never before have the IT services and telecommunications sectors been in so great a demand as it is now, according to Odgers Berndtson. “Both sectors already have large common traits,” the search firm said. “The economic and disruptive forces which are being accelerated by the pandemic mean that both industries are transforming themselves more quickly than ever before. As demand and competition intensify, the traits of senior leaders are also shifting. Empathy, subject matter expertise, vision and the ability to listen and relate to employees and customers is critical. At the same time, all large firms are making strong commitments to inclusion and diversity across the workforce at all levels.”
Odgers Berndtson already a track record of helping the largest telecommunications and IT services firms hire their most senior and high profile executives both in the U.K. and globally. “We now have an opportunity to bring increased focus, leadership and expertise by appointing Tim Sleep to lead these practices,” the firm said. Mr. Sleep has relocated from Sydney, Australia where he led the Australian business for Odgers Berndtson and boasts of over 30 years’ experience spanning both Europe and APAC. He has held senior leadership positions at SAP, EY and Thomson Reuters, and has served on a not-for-profit board.
Mr. Sleep’s experience in executive search spans across tech, advisory and telco at both executive and non-executive level. He also draws on 25 years of industry experience. During that time, he has held senior leadership positions in Australia and Europe at SAP, EY and Thomson Reuters.
Odgers Berndtson delivers executive search, leadership assessment and development strategies to organizations globally. The firm’s 250-plus partners cover more than 50 sectors and operate out of 59 offices in 29 countries. The U.S. wing of the firm launched in 2011 and is one of the fastest growing search firms in the Americas. Odgers Berndtson currently has U.S. offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Expansion Wave
Odgers Berndtson has experienced a wave of new growth. The firm recently appointed Brad Beveridge as president of its Canadian business, responsible for leading the firm’s continued expansion and the growth of its executive search, executive interim and leadership advisory services. “Brad’s extensive experience as a search professional and business leader will be key to helping us continue to anticipate and support our client’s emerging leadership and talent needs,” said Mr. Lovas. “He brings a deep understanding of all aspects of our business and a strong track record of developing innovative solutions to the challenges facing organizations across the human capital spectrum. This is a very important step in our firm’s evolution.”
The firm also recently expanded with the addition of Tonya Muse as partner in the U.S. corporate and government affairs practice based in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. “We are delighted to welcome Tonya Muse to the firm,” said Steve Potter, CEO of U.S. Odgers Berndtson. “As a seasoned corporate and government affairs executive, Tonya brings a deep background in industry and trade association leadership initiatives as well as non-profit experience to Odgers Berndtson. Tonya will work closely with Conrad Woody to continue to grow our search work in this area, helping advise clients on government affairs, corporate communications and public affairs, and trade association CEO and leadership roles.”
Odgers Berndtson Names Head of U.S. Professional Services and Human Capital Practices
Odgers Berndtson has appointed Sayed Sadjady as partner and head of its U.S. professional services and human capital practices. Mr. Sadjady most recently served as a senior partner with Ernst & Young leading the firm’s people advisory services practice in the technology, media and entertainment, and telecom industry.
The firm also hired Darin DeWitt as partner and head of the firm’s U.S. healthcare services practice. He will be based out of the Los Angeles office. Mr. DeWitt has more than 20 years of experience in executive search, most recently as a leader of the life sciences and healthcare practice and as a member of the financial services practice at Caldwell Partners where he focused on building senior management teams for leading and emerging companies and for private equity and venture capital groups.
In addition, Odgers Berndtson opened a new office Bogotá, Colombia to help meet a growing demand from organizations in the Andean region for executive search expertise. In conjunction, Odgers Berndtson will also launch its interim executive arm, Odgers Interim, in Colombia. Odgers Berndtson Colombia will be led by managing partner Roberto Hall, a veteran of the Colombian executive search industry. “The Colombian launch will enable us to draw upon Odgers Berndtson’s global network and combine it with our experience of local markets across all the major cities in Colombia,” said Mr. Hall. “With Odgers Interim we will also have a critical differentiator to most of our competitors, providing us with the ability to meet the full spectrum of client talent demands, whether those are permanent or interim leadership.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
