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Sheffield Haworth Acquires Tony O’Leary’s Executive Search Business
Global Leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has acquired Tony O’Leary’s executive search business, O’Leary and Partners, as part of the firm’s continued investment in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of this acquisition, Mr. O’Leary recently joined Sheffield Haworth to lead and expand
Where The Next Trillions Will Be Won Among Executive Search Firms
McKinsey Global Institute’s latest research on the next “arenas of competition” sends a clear signal to investors and operators: future growth will be concentrated in fewer markets, and success in those markets will depend on speed, execution, and leadership quality. According to McKinsey, sectors including AI software and services, cloud, cybersecurity, semiconductors, electric vehicles, robotics, advanced
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,
The New Era of Executive Search: Blending Intuition with Innovation
Executive search is at an inflection point. According to Aileen K. Alexander, CEO of DSG Global (Diversified Search Group), “The industry has long been built on trust, relationships, and intuition – and that’s not going away, but today, it must also be agile, inclusive, and increasingly driven by automation and data,” she said. “Parts of the search
Diversified Search Finds CEO for Eastern Connecticut Health Network
Philadelphia-based Diversified Search placed Deborah Weymouth as president and CEO of the Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN). The assignment was conducted by James A. Langston, managing director and financial officers practice leader, and managing director Ken Hirshman. “I am pleased to welcome Deborah to ECHN and I am confident that she will be an outstanding addition to ECHN’s
Aspen Leadership Group Seeks Leader for League of American Orchestras
Aspen Leadership Group, an executive search firm that specializes in recruiting top talent for philanthropic organizations, is seeking a new president and chief executive officer for the League of American Orchestras. “The CEO will further the fulfillment of the mission of the League of American Orchestras: to advance the experience of orchestral music, support the
20/20 Foresight Executive Search Appoints Managing Director in San Francisco
Chicago-headquartered 20/20 Foresight Executive Search has expanded with the addition of John Spitzler as managing director. He will head both 20/20 Foresight Executive Search and 20/20 Foresight Executive Marketing operations throughout California from his home base in San Francisco. “20/20 Foresight offers our career consultants a unique atmosphere in which to grow their business,” said Bob Cavoto, managing principal and founder
Upbeat Hiring Plans Heading Into the New Year
U.S. employers expect the hiring pace to remain steady into the first 90 days of 2020 though regional and industry forecasts are mixed, according to the latest “Employment Outlook Survey,” released today by ManpowerGroup. Employers in all U.S. regions and industry sectors said they were expecting headcount to grow. This is the eighth consecutive year of
DHR International Assists Florida State Land New Football Coach
Glenn Sugiyama, managing partner and global sports practice leader at DHR International, has placed Mike Norvell as the new head football coach for Florida State University. Willie Taggart was fired in early November after going 9-12 during his tenure with the team. “It was an honor to be entrusted with the search for the new leader of one
University of Utah Enlists Spelman Johnson for Chief Safety Officer Search
Executive recruitment firm Spelman Johnson has been chosen to find a chief safety officer for the University Of Utah in Salt Lake City. The university created the role in the wake of the murder of student-athlete Lauren McCluskey in October 2018. An independent review subsequently found that university police failed to respond properly to Ms.
ZRG Partners Expands Financial Services Practice
ZRG Partners, one of the fastest growing executive search firms, has expanded with the addition of Michael Castine to its financial services practice. He will be based in New York City. Mr. Castine brings 30 years of executive search experience to the firm. Previously, he was a partner with Ridgeway Partners for the past six years. He
HW Global Talent Partner Adds Finance Director to Fuel Growth
U.K.-based executive search firm HW Global Talent Partner has named Rob Pettican as its new finance director at a time in which the firm is targeting rapid growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions. In a new position created to support the planned expansion of the group, he will be accountable for the firm’s finances.
The Upskilling Deadlock to Continue in 2020
Recent research has revealed a paradox at the heart of current debates around upskilling. On the one hand, the vast majority of U.S. workers believe it’s imperative to train for and develop new skills in order to keep up with changes in the workplace. On the other, that same contingent of workers also say that neither
Myers McRae Recruits Provost for Methodist College
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has placed Suzanne Blum Malley as the new provost for Methodist University. She will assume her new position on Jan. 15. Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Jennifer Barfield, senior vice president, led the assignment. “Dr. Blum Malley brings to us a strong track record of academic and scholarly success,
Insight Executive Search Seeks Strategic Learning and Evaluation Officer for Walton Family Foundation
Insight Executive Search, which finds top talent for non-profit, research and commercial organizations, has been chosen to find a strategic learning and evaluation officer for the Walton Family Foundation. Vice president Ari Ayares is leading the assignment for the Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm. The new strategic learning and evaluation officer will be charged with working
The Jackson Laboratory Taps Heidrick & Struggles to Find CHRO
CHROs have become critical stakeholders in defining the strategy of a company, and they are expected to tackle the HR challenges and evolving expectations of a dynamic workplace environment that will consist of constant change, calculated risk taking and evolving expectations from top stakeholders. Those well-equipped to achieve the greatest success will have diverse skill-sets,
The Taplow Group Unveils New Board of Directors
Board service can be one of the most rewarding career experiences: It’s the opportunity to see firsthand how another company operates at the highest levels and to work with – and learn from – accomplished, articulate and intelligent people. It’s why many leaders decide to start down the path to the boardroom. It’s also why
Korn Ferry Posts Flat Q2 Revenues
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted fiscal second quarter revenues of $492.4 million, down one percent (up one percent at constant currency) from last year. The Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant – the largest globally and in the Americas as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media – recorded net income was $42.8 million, compared to a loss of $46 million in the second quarter of last
Unemployment Rate Dips Again as Economy Pushes Forward, Despite Concerns
Employers added 266,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate dropped slightly to 3.5 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The increase was above the 180,000 forecast by economists. The November gain is the 110th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed currently stands at 5.89 million. “We still see
The Bowdoin Group Recruits President for Mayo Clinic Platform
The Bowdoin Group, a Boston-based executive search firm, has placed John Halamka as the new president of Mayo Clinic Platform, which is committed to elevating Mayo Clinic to a global leadership position within digital healthcare. He will start in his new role on Jan. 1. “Dr. Halamka has a proven track record of success in innovation
Ventura Partners Plays Key Role in Returning Head Football Coach to Rutgers
Executive recruitment firm Ventura Partners has helped to bring Greg Schiano back to Rutgers University for a second stint as head football coach. Mr. Schiano led the Scarlet Knights to six bowl appearances during his previous tenure, from 2001 to 2011. Partner Chad Chatlos led the assignment for the search firm. Mr. Schiano left Rutgers in 2012
EMA Partners Opens Miami Office
EMA Partners International, a global partnership of executive search professionals, has opened a new office in Miami and named Mark Young as managing director to lead the new location. “We look forward to working with Mark and his team,” said Chris Pantelidis, EMA Partners regional chair, the Americas. “It is an exciting time as we expand
Despite Previous Promise, Fewer Women Hold Top CEO Roles
Despite growing calls for gender diversity, the number of women chief executive officers in the S&P 500 dropped by nearly 20 percent in 2018. At the same time, corporate America took decisive action against harassment: In the S&P 500, companies ousted five CEOs in 2018 due to #MeToo-related misconduct, representing more than 40 percent of
Odgers Berndtson Finds New Leader for Airports Council International – Latin America and Caribbean
Global search firm Odgers Berndtson has placed Rafael Echevarne as the new director general of Airports Council International – Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC). He succeeds Javier Martinez who has successfully led the organization since 2010. Tim McNamara spearheaded the assignment “We have great expectations about the new drive that Rafael Echevarne will bring to our organization,” said
Pauly Group Recruits 11th President for Northwestern Michigan College
Academic search firm Pauly Group has recruited Nick Nissley to become the next president of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) in Traverse City, MI. Current president Timothy J. Nelson will step down at the end of the year. Dr. Nissley was the first choice of five finalists for the position, out of a field of 67 applicants.
Tatum U.S. Appoints New Director of Executive Search
Tatum, an interim services and executive search firm, recently named John Coutts as director of executive search on the west coast. This key leadership appointment underscores Tatum’s commitment to continued growth in the U.S. marketplace. Mr. Coutts is an experienced executive recruiter with a demonstrated history of working successfully with private and public companies both in
InterSearch Expands Presence in Spain and Portugal
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies with 90 offices in 50 countries, has added Euromanager to strengthen its presence in Spain and Portugal. “With this strategic alliance, Euromanager reinforces its international character by becoming part of a global network that has been operating in more than 70 markets for over three decades and has around 600 consultants in
Options Group Releases Annual Pay Data Report to Wall Street
Options Group has just released its 2019/2020 Global Financial Markets Overview and Compensation Report, long considered the ‘gold standard’ for pay data metrics among banks and investment banks. This year’s report, “The Intersection of Disruptive Technology and Geopolitical Protectionism,” is chock full of key industry analytics, including financial market overviews, compensation summaries, salient predictions and
Academic Search Called in by Simpson College to Recruit New President
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been selected by Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa to find its next president. Search firm president Jay Lemons, senior consultant Wanda Bigham and associate consultant Penny Gibbons are leading the assignment. Jay Simmons is stepping down from the college’s top job, but will continue to serve in his current position until a successor
Waldron Tapped by Susan G. Komen Puget Sound to Find New Leader
Social sector focused executive search firm Waldron has been retained by the Susan G. Komen Puget Sound (Komen Puget Sound) to lead its search for a new executive director. Recruiting director Sarah Meyer is leading the assignment. Responsible for the success and sustainability of Komen Puget Sound, the new executive director will report to and work in close partnership
Stanton Chase Forms Global Partnership with Hofstede Insights
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has formed a global partnership with Hofstede Insights, a culture and strategy advisory & analytics organization. “I am pleased to announce this new memorandum of understanding between Stanton Chase and Hofstede Insights,” said Wassim Karkabi, global head of assessment and managing partner of the Stanton Chase Middle East and Greater China offices. “Our Middle East
Amrop Names Head Leadership Services for the Adriatic Region
Global recruiting organization Amrop expanded with the addition of Ksenija Štrekelj as leadership services manager for the Adriatic region. She will be based at Amrop Adria in Ljubljana. Ms. Štrekelj has a senior HR profile with proven background as a talent acquisition and development expert with extended knowledge of HR solutions. She has over 10 years
Harvard University Taps Isaacson, Miller to Find Chief Diversity Officer
The role of chief diversity officer is expanding at universities across the country. It has, in fact, become one of the most important positions for shaping the vision, culture and very face of institutions of higher learning from coast to coast. It is also increasingly becoming a cabinet-level job, with a broad range of responsibilities
University of California Picks Ventura Partners to Find Women’s Basketball Coach
Universities have been turning to search firms in droves to fill their top coaching vacancies. Just recently, the University of California, Riverside picked Ventura Partners to lead the search for its next women’s basketball head coach. Interim head coach Seyram Bell will lead the team through the 2019-20 season. She stepped in following the resignation of
Scion Executive Search Seeking Executive Director for Hill Country Conservancy
Austin, TX-based Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) has announced that founder and CEO George Cofer will retire from the organization next April. The organization has turned to non-profit sector specialists Scion Executive Search to find its next leader. Elissa Dumiak, senior executive recruiter, and Isaac Schild, managing partner, are leading the assignment for the search firm. Mr. Cofer’s tenure with HCC includes founding the non-profit in
