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Executive Search Continues Its Confident Climb As Transformation Takes Center Stage
The executive search industry entered 2026 from a position of strength. According to Hunt Scanlon, fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. / Americas – the global talent sector’s largest and most dominant region – jumped 11 percent last year, topping out at $6.69 billion. Seventy-five percent of search firms
Why Top Candidates Choose One Offer Over Another
Recruitment in the financial services industry, especially across wealth management, RIAs, and fintech roles, has become increasingly competitive, with strong candidates having multiple opportunities and greater choice in where they go, according to a recent report from Right Executive Search’s Elisa Sheftic. “It is especially disappointing when a top candidate withdraws from an opportunity during the
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Korn Ferry Becomes Founding Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games is one of the most complex operational undertakings in the world, requiring a massive workforce to execute everything from security and logistics to transportation, technology, hospitality, and athlete services. It is essential to hire the right people and build a strong leadership structures. Korn Ferry has established a strategic partnership
Talentor Adds New Member Firm in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters, and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Executive search consortium Talentor International recently expanded its presence in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
THRUUE Acquired by TiER1 Performance
TiER1 Performance recently acquired THRUUE, a Washington, D.C.-based culture, strategy, and leadership consulting firm serving commercial and not-for-profit clients. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We’ve been an established consultancy expert partnering with CEOs, C-suites, and boards to set their strategy and shift their culture to grow and achieve greater business and social
A Look at How DEI Can be Navigated Regionally
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion is far more than just a catchphrase as both the concept and its goals are vital to good business practice and ultimately an organization’s bottom line,” said Alexander de Freitas, Signium partner Greater China, co-leader global technology practice, in a recent report. However, Mr. De Freitas notes that even while global policies and programs
R. William Funk & Associates Tapped to Find New Leader for University of Florida Foundation
R. William Funk & Associates has been enlisted to conduct a nationwide search to find the next vice president of advancement and president of the University of Florida (UF) Foundation in Gainesville. Reporting directly to president Ben Sasse, the selected individual will be a member of the president’s cabinet and a key member of the
Salveson Stetson Group Recruits SVP of Global Talent Acquisition for AmerisourceBergen
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resources officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. Why such pent-up demand for top flight HR experts? Corporate leaders want HR leaders who are sophisticated, proactive, and strategic-minded, with strong business savvy to drive their people capabilities like they would a P&L, according to
Diversified Search Group Appoints Leaders for Education Practice
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has announced that managing directors, Jim Sirianni, and Susan VanGilder, will co-lead the firm’s education practice following the retirement of its current leader, Shelly Storbeck, who will remain with the firm as a strategic advisor. “Over the last three years, our education practice has grown
Korn Ferry Posts Eight Percent Revenue Gain
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2023 fiscal year-end revenues of $2.8 billion, up eight percent from a year ago. The Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant – the largest globally and in the Americas as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media – also reported fourth quarter revenue of $731 million, an increase of one percent. The revenue gains were primarily due to an
How Keywords Can Energize Your Job Search
Have you ever heard of a Boolean search? It’s a powerful tool hiring managers use to sift through many resumes and find the most qualified candidates for open jobs. And to be sure that your resume makes it through this search and in front of a human being, it’s crucial to understand the importance of
SearchWide Global Seeks New Leader for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has been retained by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Executive vice president Mark Gnatovic is leading the assignment. The incoming leader will be expected to provide executive leadership and inspire growth and innovation and position the
Preng & Associates Fills Board Positions for NET Power
Houston-based executive search firm Preng & Associates recently assisted in the placement of Alejandra Veltmann, Joseph Kelliher, and Ralph Alexander as new members of the board of directors for NYSE-traded NET Power LLC, in Durham, NC. “Preng & Associates is delighted to have played an integral role in the comprehensive search for NET Power’s exceptional board of directors,”
DHR Global Forms Alliance with Lezama & Partners
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has added search firm Lezama & Partners to its platform. The partnership between the 20-year-old Mexico City-based firm and DHR Global will strengthen DHR’s presence in Latin America with the addition of four partners and five associates and administrative professionals. “We are thrilled to build our team in Latin America by investing
ON Partners Recruits CEO for TalentNeuron
ON Partners’ Tim Conti and Tindall (Sewell) Hein recently placed Julie Peck as the new chief executive officer of TalentNeuron, a Leeds Equity Partners company in New York City. “As a now stand-alone business with a plethora of strategic opportunities to partner with business leaders to address key human capital business imperatives, we are excited to have Julie
August Leadership Recruits CEO for Forum One
Executive recruitment firm August Leadership has helped to place Elisabeth Bradley as the new chief executive officer of digital consultancy Forum One in Arlington, VA. Ms. Bradley has been with the company in a leadership role since 2017 and has been, since 2021, the chief strategy officer responsible for advising senior client stakeholders on digital strategy
ZRG Partners Names Chief Commercial Officer
ZRG Partners has named James Absalom to the position of chief commercial officer – international. “James will be responsible for maximizing growth across all our business lines, including executive search, DEI, interim management, leadership and assessment consulting, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and showcase our truly collaborative, end-to-end talent advisory firm,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO
Kestria Adds New Member Firm in Brazil
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added StautGROUP Executive Search in Brazil as its newest member firm. “Latin America is an economically promising region in global trade due to its abundant commodities, growing middle class, improving infrastructure, and regional integration efforts,” said Stepan Motejzik, alliance director at Kestria. “Brazil, as the
5 C-Level Roles Being Impacted by AI
The predicted potential of AI can be a contentious subject depending on the industry. Some, including Elon Musk, foresee a Skynet-like future, as in the Terminator movies, if AI advances unchecked. Others believe the threat is overblown, and genuine AI autonomy acting with malicious intent towards humans is dubious. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), businesses cannot
The Next Gen Recruiting Strategy for Consulting Firms
Consulting firms have long been known for their high workload and fast-paced environment. Current trends, however, may call for a significant shift in the way these firms operate, according to a recent report from Business Talent Group‘s Laura Klein. “From 2020 and into the first half of 2022, the professional services industry was booming,” the
RMN Electi Recruits CEO for Northwoods
RMN Electi, formerly RM Nephew and Associates, recently assisted in the recruitment of Dave Minning as CEO of Northwoods. He is succeeding founder Gary Heinze, who will maintain ownership of Northwoods and transitioned to his role as chairman of the board. “I am thrilled to welcome Dave Minning to Northwoods,” said Mr. Heinze. “Dave brings a
The Moran Company Seeks CEO for Feeding Pennsylvania
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been enlisted to find the next chief executive officer for Feeding Pennsylvania (FPA), the statewide association of nine Feeding America affiliated food banks. Senior search consultant Mike English is leading the assignment. The non-profit’s former leader, Jane Clements, stepped down this
InterSearch Worldwide Adds New Member Firm in Brazil
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has added Brazil-based Weplace as its newest member firm. “We are proud to have Weplace as our new member in Brazil, which is a strategic country for InterSearch in Latin America,” said Frank Schelstraete, chairman of the InterSearch. “Their team has expertise in the most strategic industries in the
How the CISO Role Continues to Gain Importance and Evolve
Even in the context of a cooling hiring market, the role of the chief information security officer is maturing as organizations’ technological needs and risks become greater and multiply, according to the 2023 Global Chief Information Security Officer Survey, just released by Heidrick & Struggles. “To ensure success and continued organizational sustainability, organizations and leaders must recognize the critical
Academic Search Seeks President for Saint Michael’s College
Jay Lemons, Scott Flanagan, Jennifer Kooken, and Kate Cusimano of education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search was recently selected by Saint Michael’s College to lead its search for its 18th president. Lorraine Sterritt recently announced she was stepping down after becoming the first woman to lead the college. Ideally, the college’s next president will be person of faith with
Furst Group Recruits CFO for Clever Care Health Plan
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, recently assisted in the recruitment of Richard Greene as the new CFO for Clever Care Health Plan in Huntington Beach, CA. Mr.
ZRG Partners Places CEO of Catalina Island Conservancy
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, has placed Whitney Latorre as president and chief executive officer of the Catalina Island Conservancy in California. The search was led by managing director Diane Charness, partnering with Christina Sampaio-Forman, vice president, executive search of Sucherman, a ZRG company. Ms. Latorre
Starfish Partners Acquires Global People and NinjaJobs
Starfish Partners, an investment and ownership platform for niched professional and mid-to-upper management search specialists, has acquired Global People and NinjaJobs. Financial terms for both deals were not disclosed. Current Starfish Partners organizations include search firms Kaye/Bassman International Corp. (KBIC), Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI), Integrity Search, Full Spectrum Search Group, Raymond Search Group, the Sanford Rose Associates
Look at What Trends Are Keeping HR Leaders Busy Today
With macro-economic uncertainty, geopolitical threats, new ways of working, and the advent of game-changing technologies, businesses need to transform to survive, and they have to transform sustainably if they are to thrive. Leathwaite’s annual HR survey found that more than half the HR leaders surveyed (53 percent) highlighted the enablement of business transformation as an area
ON Partners Recruits Chief Accounting Officer for EverCommerce
Andy Hickman and Joe Olson of ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Ryan Siurek as chief accounting officer of NASDAQ-traded EverCommerce in Denver, CO. He will start his new position on July 10. “We’re thrilled to welcome Ryan to EverCommerce,” said Marc Thompson, CFO. “With his deep financial, operational and technical experience at publicly traded growth oriented and mature
Elite Search Partners Places Managing Director for Global Sage in Hong Kong
London-based Elite Search Partners has placed Kong To as the new managing director, head of technology and industrial markets for Global Sage in Hong Kong. Leading the assignment for Elite Search Partners was Matthew Eley, managing director. Mr. Kong has over 25 years of senior executive search and leadership consulting experience, including 15 of those years
United Talent Agency Acquires James & Co.
United Talent Agency (UTA), a global provider of talent, entertainment, sports and advisory, has acquired James & Co., a New York City-based executive search and human capital consulting firm working across the sports, media, entertainment, digital, and consumer sectors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Industry veterans Michele James and Roysi Erbes, who
The Christopher Group and Six Summit Leadership Form Partnership
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has formed a partnership with Six Summit Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development firm. “We are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership between The Christopher Group and Six Summit Leadership, two industry-leading firms dedicated to empowering organizations and individuals to achieve their
Keys to Executive Onboarding at Private Equity Firms
Onboarding plans tend to be generic—and an afterthought. Rarely do they consider the specific context in which a person must do their work and deliver the results expected of them, says a new report from Bill Allen, managing partner of CEO.works. “In private equity, I believe that is a mistake,” said Mr. Allen. “All too often, PE
