Pacific International Forms Advisory Board
May 19, 2025 – London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International has announced the formation of its new advisory board. The initial members, Bjarne Sandager Nielsen and Sameer Pagnis, with deep industry expertise and years of C-suite experience, will enhance Pacific’s executive search capabilities by helping clients identify and attract transformative C-suite leaders while minimizing the risks associated with executive hiring. “With the establishment of the advisory board, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping our clients build exceptional executive leadership teams,” said David Howells, CEO of Pacific International. “Combined with Pacific’s proven executive search track record, Bjarne and Sameer exemplify the insight, experience, and integrity we bring to every engagement, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Pacific team.”
“As more of our long-term clients turn to us for support with their most complex senior leadership challenges, we continue to strengthen our ability to deliver,” said Adam Nuzie, chief commercial officer at Pacific. “The formation of the advisory board is a natural extension of our commitment to excellence, bringing in outside expertise to deepen our insights, sharpen our approach, and ensure we consistently identify transformational leaders for our clients’ most critical C-suite roles.”
“As the business environment evolves, Pacific International remains dedicated to delivering strategic, data-driven, and people-centered executive search solutions,” Manuel Preg, Pacific’s group director and managing director, Germany. “The advisory board will play a key role in enhancing Pacific’s value to clients and expanding its reach as a trusted leadership advisor.”
Mr. Sandager Nielsen is an accomplished international executive with over 30 years of leadership and C-suite experience. His expertise spans strategy, operations, sourcing, supply chain management, engineering, and organizational leadership. Known for driving efficiency, innovation, and sustainability, Bjarne has guided organizations through transformation, growth, and complex talent decisions. Mr. Sandager Nielsen held senior leadership roles in wind energy, industrial manufacturing, and packaging. As COO of LM Wind Power, a subsidiary of GE Renewable Energy, he led a global organization through rapid expansion, tripling production volume while achieving industry-leading safety. Under his leadership, LM Wind Power achieved carbon neutrality in 2018 and committed to eliminating waste from its blades by 2030. He also served as chairman or board member on the boards of the different LM Wind Power Group companies. Previously, Mr. Sandager Nielsen held various senior roles at Vestas Wind Systems, including senior vice president – head of blades, where he shaped global manufacturing strategies and led operations across multiple continents.
“It’s all about people,” said Mr. Sandager Nielsen. “Throughout my career, I have learnt that having the right people in the right positions is a prerequisite for a successful business, and that hiring decisions are some of the most essential choices for a leader. I am excited to use my experience and network to contribute to that and create value for their clients alongside Pacific International’s team of experts.”
Related: The Skills That Help CEOs Make the Right Choices
Mr. Pagnis, a seasoned executive with a distinguished global career spanning multiple continents and industries, is a versatile and accomplished leader with track record in the supply chain, operations, engineering, sales and strategy in technology-driven industries. He brings expertise in cross-cultural leadership and talent development across dynamic, high-growth markets. In his most recent role as president and CEO of Bharat Forge’s international business, Mr. Pagnis led the company through a significant technology transformation and business turnaround. He developed strategies to position the organization for sustainable growth while actively contributing as a board member. Before this, Mr. Pagnis served as president and general manager of TE Connectivity’s $7 billion global automotive division, where he drove enterprise value creation by growing revenue from $5 billion to $7 billion in just three years.
Strengthening Pacific’s Capabilities
“I’m excited to join the advisory board and contribute to strengthening Pacific’s C-suite executive search capabilities,” said Mr. Pagnis. “Over the past 30+ years, I’ve led businesses through various market cycles, built high-performing teams, and worked with, for, and alongside exceptional leaders. That journey has taught me what outstanding leadership looks like. What works, what doesn’t, and what holds real promise. I look forward to drawing on that experience and the strength of my network, to help identify, attract, and elevate the next generation of transformative talent. I can’t wait to get started.”
Pacific International is a retained executive search firm that is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams. Since 1997, the firm has had a track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally. With regional offices in Philadelphia, PA, and Dusseldorf, Germany, Pacific International also offers services beyond executive search such as diversity and inclusion strategies, leadership skills assessment, and succession planning.
Pacific International’s practices include: Automotive & aerospace; banking, financial services and insurance; electronics and semiconductors; consumer goods; chemicals and process industry; industrial goods and engineering; pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences; renewable energy and cleantech; professional services; technology, media and telecommunications; and transportation and logistics.
Related: What Skills Do CEOs Need Today to Succeed
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
