Options Group Acquires Dubai-Based Octavian Partners
July 31, 2023 – Options Group has acquired Octavian Partners, an executive search firm based in Dubai and focused on financial services in frontier, emerging and developed markets across the U.K., Middle East and Asia. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We always believed that a global perspective with a local footprint was the right approach for us to provide our clients with a customized holistic suite of search and consulting services,” said Mike Karp, co-founder and CEO. “I am very proud to announce the acquisition of Octavian Partners, which provides Options Group a local presence in the Middle East and further augments our presence in EMEA.”
“Octavian’s phenomenal track record and reputation in the Middle East compliments Options Group’s existing services,” said David Korn, managing partner and head of EMEA. “It is also an opportunity for us to further Octavian’s client relationships by providing them access to our global platform and innovative research products. We are excited to be back in Dubai and covering the Middle East again and we look forward to a long and successful collaboration with Will and his team.”
Since 2011, Octavian Partners provides tailored solutions for investment banks, private banks, asset managers, private equity funds, hedge funds, family offices and sovereign wealth funds. Octavian Partner’s founder, Will Hauxwell, will be responsible for Options Group’s Middle East and North Africa coverage, from the businesses office in the DIFC, Dubai. He brings to Options Group 14 years of experience in executive search, with 11 of those years in the Middle East. He will be joined by Sebastien Stark, who will focus on the region’s wealth management and commercial banking sector.
“The synergies between both businesses were so clear from the outset that it was a natural evolution for Octavian Partners to become part of Options Group,” said Mr. Hauxwell. “Considering Options Group’s market-leading platform that combines cutting edge technology, market intelligence, benchmark-setting research and global office network, I am confident that together we will dominate the MENA region.”
Options Group is a global talent acquisition and development firm specializing in financial services and technology. For more than 25 years, with 13 global offices, Options Group has taken an innovative approach to facilitating limitless search and intelligence possibilities, said the firm. Options Group is headquartered in New York, with offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, São Paulo, Bogotá, Frankfurt, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Sydney, and Zürich.
Recent Deals
Acquisitions and consolidations continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. And it’s not just executive search firms, technology-based outfits have also been in on the action. Here is a sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has acquired Nvolv, a boutique leadership consulting firm serving CEOs and C-suite executives of global businesses. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Our acquisition of Nvolv represents a powerful opportunity for us to bolster our client offerings and further strengthen our preeminent position as leaders in C-suite leadership advisory services,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates. “Bob and the entire Nvolv team have an enviable track record of building deep relationships and driving extraordinary results at the most senior levels of organizations, and we look forward to joining forces to increase the depth of both firms’ impact in advising and coaching C-suite executives, preparing the next generation of senior executives, supporting new leader integration, de-risking CEO succession, and aligning top teams to deliver on their transformation agendas.”
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has acquired Helbling & Associates, an executive search firm focused on real estate, facilities, and construction. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The addition of the Helbling team to the ZRG family will bolster our growing real estate practice,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “We’ll have more resources for our clients, including support in the construction sector of the real estate industry. We are very excited to bring even greater depth and breadth of expertise to the companies we serve.” Helbling & Associates, based in Wexford, PA, was established in 1992 by Tom Helbling to meet the recruiting needs of construction contractors and real estate developers. As clients began referring the firm to their professional networks, Helbling’s client base expanded to entities with significant real estate assets and facilities management needs. Today, Helbling’s clients include institutions of education, healthcare, and research, as well as cultural and community organizations. The firm has completed search assignments in 43 states.
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has acquired German executive search firm Delta Management Consultants GmbH. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are pleased to be acquiring such a longstanding firm with such exceptional colleagues,” said Richard Moore, CEO. “Together we will create even further value for both our clients. Today clients need effective, sustainable, and diverse leadership more than ever. Acquiring and improving leadership is the greatest challenge organizations face – and the only way they can sustainably outperform.” Founded in 1983, Delta Management Consultants has for over 30 years assisted clients in areas such as executive search, leadership advisory, management consulting, and more. Anja Schelte, J. Carlos Fernandes, and Stefan Koop, managing partners of Delta Management Consultants GmbH, said: “We look forward to a future together with Mercuri Urval. Our employees benefit from the company’s resources and global presence. Our clients can continue to count on the proven expertise and commitment of us, their longstanding advisors, but now with the added value and expanded capabilities that this strategic acquisition offers.”
Related: Hunt Scanlon Media Launches M&A Advisory Service for Recruiters
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
