Odgers Berndtson Names Managing Partner, Netherlands
November 2, 2023 – Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson Netherlands has appointed Kristien Janssen as managing partner. She succeeds Ed van der Sande, who returns to the leadership practice full-time after six years, focusing on executive search, assessments and (team) coaching. “Over the past four years, Kristien has made a special contribution to the transformation we are undergoing as an organization,” said Mr. van der Sande. “Responding to the constantly changing needs of leaders and their companies. Her endless energy and commitment to us, her clients and candidates is contagious and inspiring. She helps us reinvent executive search – pushing boundaries and making a difference.”
Ms. Janssen also continues to lead the industry practice where she guides top management in transitions within the manufacturing, transport & logistics, construction and energy industries. From international enterprises and corporate businesses to private equity firms and family businesses.
Before joining Odgers Berndtson, Ms. Janssen held various executive roles in sales and operations at Randstad and Selecta. In 2016 she won the ‘CCO of the Year’ award from the Sales Management Association. Ms. Janssen is also active as a supervisory director at Patijnenburg, an organization that matches, advises and guides people with limited employment opportunities.
“I am immensely looking forward to taking up this new role, where I get to contribute to the development of our organization and employees in addition to working intensively with our clients,” said Ms. Janssen. “We continue to invest in the growth of our organization, enabling us to realize personal and organizational impact time and again. I feel tremendously supported by the team that looks beyond the assignment – through collaboration, a holistic and personal approach and innovation.
Related: Odgers Berndtson U.S. and SurePeople Launch Onboarding Program
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 has been one of the fastest growing search firms in the Americas. Odgers Berndtson has U.S. offices in Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Houston, TX; Los Angeles; Minneapolis, MN; New York; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C.
A New Leader
This spring, Odgers Berndtson named Mr. Kincaid as its new CEO for its U.S. business, succeeding Steve Potter, who held the position for the past 12 years. Mr. Potter, who will remain an active board member, has grown the firm to become No. 12 on the Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Recruiters ranking in the U.S. “He has built a strong team, and a particular achievement has been hiring and developing Kennon as his successor,” Odgers Berndtson said. “They have worked closely together for five years as COO and CEO preparing for this transition.”
Odgers Berndtson Boosts Technology Practice, Scale-Up Offering
Odgers Berndtson is investing in the growth of its technology practice, at the same time as focusing heavily on its investor backed scale-up offering, the Scale Up Collective. The firm recently announced that David Bell will be heading the collective. He is joined by Sam Smith, who brings over a decade of executive search experience to the firm. “Despite disruption across technology markets globally and difficult economic conditions, Odgers Berndtson is investing now to strengthen their position as a world class executive search and talent advisory firm,” said the firm. Mr. Bell has 15 years’ executive search experience, the last eight of which have been working with private equity, venture capital, and founder-led technology businesses. Mr. Smith joins Odgers Berndtson from a leading boutique firm specializing in the European B2B SaaS eco-system. There, he supported public and venture capital/private equity backed businesses to build out their leadership teams.
“We are excited about the future of Odgers Berndtson U.S. and believe, with the smooth transition of Kennon to CEO and Steve as an active board member, we have the leadership to take our firm to even greater heights as one of the premium global executive search firms in the world,” said Kester Scrope, group CEO of Odgers Berndtson.
Mr. Kincaid has spent the past four years as the Odgers Berndtson U.S. chief operating officer, where he oversaw its people, processes, and operations. He serves on the firm’s board of directors as well as its global advisory board. Prior to joining Odgers, Mr. Kincaid served as a diplomat, advancing the interests of the U.S. and its allies across Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Subsequently, he joined Rocket Lab, a leading aerospace company and launch service provider, where he established and led international business development, security operations, and government relations.
Related: Odgers Berndtson Launches Health and Wellness Recruiting Practice
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
