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Heidrick & Struggles Appoints Leaders of Interim Management Business in Germany
Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Christian Frank and Mike Schwanke as managing directors of its interim management business in Germany, Atreus. They will immediately assume responsibility for Atreus’ in-country operations and strategy. Founders Harald Linné and Rainer Nagel will remain part of the management team through the end 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. “Germany represents a core market for our executive
Why Companies Need to Develop an AI-Ready Workforce
AI has emerged as one of the most valued tools in today’s corporate environment. Across nearly every sector—from finance to healthcare—organizations are embracing AI as a critical driver of innovation, automation, and competitive advantage. And yet, for all its promise, one critical issue holds back progress – a shortage of qualified AI talent, according to
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.
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
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?
Rokos Group Seeking Chief Medical Officer for Center for Elders’ Independence
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been selected by Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) to lead in its search for a chief medical officer. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief medical officer will serve as CEI’s senior physician executive and a full member of the executive leadership team. This is a strategic
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
EY Signals M&A Momentum Is Rebuilding
The June 2025 edition of EY’s Merger Monthly report presents a cautiously optimistic picture of the U.S. deal environment. According to Mitch Berlin, EY Americas vice chair, “M&A in the U.S. bounced back in May, buoyed by easing trade tensions that boosted deal momentum, including several large transactions.” While overall deal volume saw a 6.2 percent year-over-year decrease,
IMD International Search Group Adds New Member Firm in Singapore
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group has expanded in the Asia-Pacific region with the addition of I Search Worldwide in Singapore. Singapore sits at the crossroads of the world’s largest and fastest growing region straddling China, India and the ASEAN countries. A modern cosmopolitan city with a strong reputation as a major player in the
Workers Remain Optimistic, but CEO Confidence Falls
American worker confidence is at its highest level in four years. Following a slight dip at the end of the last quarter, the national Worker Confidence Index (WCI) rose 3.6 points to 110.7 in its most recent quarter, reaching its highest level since the study’s inception. The Worker Confidence Index is a survey of U.S.
Heidrick & Struggles Selected by Washington State Investment Board to Find Chief Investment Officer
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has been retained by the $135 billion Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) to lead its search for a new chief investment officer. Gary Bruebaker is retiring at the end of the year after 40 years in the investment business. Lyndon Taylor, partner in charge of
Leaders International Executive Search Lands President for Deer Park College
Leaders International Executive Search has placed the new president of Red Deer College (RDC) in Alberta, Canada. Peter Nunoda, president of Vancouver Community College, will start in his new role on Sept. 3. He succeeds Joel Ward, who is retiring after 10 years at the helm. During an extensive search that lasted more than 15
Ward Howell Expands Global Travel & Hospitality Practice
Global recruiter Ward Howell International has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Jim Theodore as a partner in its global travel and hospitality practice. Based in Boston, Mr. Theodore joins Ward Howell with more than 30 years of experience in retained search. He has worked in the hospitality and leisure industries serving clients of all
Amrop Names New CEO
Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments in the past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: Global recruiting organization Amrop has appointed Federico Cuneo as CEO and chairman of its executive board. He replaces José I. Leyún as CEO. “The organization extends its gratitude to José for his
The Benefits of Strategic CEO Succession Planning
About five years before the chief executive officer of a major European insurance company planned to retire, the board began considering potential candidates to fill his role. Eight internal executives rose to the top, and subsequently went through in-depth assessments of their strengths, weaknesses and psychometric profiles. A year before the end of this process,
Caldwell Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Gigster
As business becomes more global and complex, and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging, recruiters say. Yet executive search firms are seeing no shortage of assignments for this important C-level position. Recently, Toronto-based executive search firm Caldwell recruited Jennifer
LandrumHR Acquires HR-Focused Search Firm hrQ
LandrumHR, a Pensacola, FL-headquartered full-service human resources firm, has acquired executive search firm hrQ in Denver. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. The human resources sector is hrQ’s bailiwick. The firm focuses exclusively on providing HR professionals for short- or long-term contract assignments and full- time hires as well as offering expertise on a
Lambda Legal Taps Two Search Firms to Find New CEO
New York-based Lambda Legal has retained the services of LGBTQ search firm McCormack+Kristel and WB&B, an executive search firm focused on diversity and inclusion, to lead its search for a new CEO. Lambda Legal, a non-profit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living
Boyden Opens New Office in Saskatchewan
Boyden has expanded in Canada with the opening an office in the province of Saskatchewan. It will be led by Dan Brown, a new Boyden Canada partner. “Our new office in Saskatchewan and the appointment of Dan supports our strategy in Canada and globally to provide clients with world-class leadership advisory solutions,” said Trina Gordon, president
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Turns to Koya Leadership Partners to Find New Leader
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has enlisted Alison P. Ranney and Alexandra N. Corvin of Koya Leadership Partners to assist in its search for a new president and chief executive officer. The organization initially retained Boyden for the assignment. Both finalist candidates, however, reportedly rejected the job, citing concerns with salary and museum governance. Boston-based Koya is tasked with finding a
Evolv Technologies Turns to TillmanPartners to Find CFO
Backed by an impressive group of investors including Bill Gates, Evolv Technologies, a technology start-up addressing the active shooter threat, has retained TillmanPartners to find a CFO. “When I launched TillmanPartners this year, I set out to serve an exclusive group of clients and assist CEOs and investors to achieve breakthrough performance,” said Rob Tillman,
Gerard Daniels Names New Managing Partner for the Americas
Executive search firm Gerard Daniels, headquartered in Perth, Australia, has appointed Jason Wright to the role of managing partner Americas, based in its Houston office. Mr. Wright is a highly-experienced recruitment and staffing professional with more than 20 years’ involvement in the oil and gas and energy sectors, primarily in the Americas markets. “I wish
Prestige Scientific Opens First Office in Europe
Milford, MA-based life science executive search firm Prestige Scientific recently opened its first European office in Amsterdam and appointed Brandan Sweeney as director of the new location. The expansion to Amsterdam is largely in response to the European Medicines Agency’s recent relocation there, said the firm. Mr. Sweeney is charged with leading the expansion of the
SWR Group and Rothley Executive Search Join Forces
M&A activity, in many cases with the support of private equity firms, continues to heat up in the executive search industry. The latest: New Zealand-headquartered search firms SWR Group and Rothley Executive Search have merged. Under the agreement, Rothley operations become part of SWR Group. Rothley founder and managing director Sean Brunner will be based in
The Current State of Diversity and Inclusion
Although most respondents to a new study by talent acquisition firm GQR Global said they feel they have a commitment from their company’s leadership to pursue the business case for diversity and inclusion, there was an overwhelming feeling among them that diversity within their companies is not reflected in executive teams. Increasingly, the human capital
Lindauer Seeks Chief Philanthropy Officer for Joslin Diabetes Center
The Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston has selected recruitment firm Lindauer to lead its efforts to find a new chief philanthropy officer. Vice president Maureen Huminik is spearheading the assignment. “This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven leader who will bring expertise in grateful patient fundraising, as well as deep experience working with friends
Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits CEO for U.K. Ordnance Survey
Russell Reynolds Associates has placed Steve Blair as the new chief executive officer of U.K. mapping authority Ordnance Survey (OS). Patrick Johnson, the search firm’s country manager for the U.K., led the assignment. “The board of OS is delighted that ministers have appointed Steve Blair as CEO of Ordnance Survey,” said Kieran Murphy, chairman at Ordnance Survey. “He
Finlay James Names Chief Commercial Officer
Executive search firms continue to look for more ways to drive growth — and manage it. To that end, U.K.-headquartered search firm Finlay James has appointed Andrew MacAskill as its chief commercial officer. Mr. MacAskill will also join the technology-focused firm’s board of directors alongside owners John and Sara Gaughan and managing director James May.
Sucherman Group Expands Search Staff
New York-based Sucherman Group has expanded its sports, digital and international advisory practices with the additions of Cuyler Holmquist and Aaron Henderson as executive directors. Mr. Holmquist was enlisted to help with the firm’s business development and execution efforts. Most recently, he ran the U.S. sports practice for search firm Odgers Berndtson. Having started working for Odgers in
Here’s How Predictive Analytics is Sharpening Recruiting Efforts
Historically, recruiting has been primarily dependent upon the instincts of the employer. Whether he or she felt a particular candidate was fit for a given position was based primarily on the resume, indicating the candidate’s previous experience, qualifications and job history. Today, it is widely accepted that organizations that base decisions on data consistently outperform
The Koblentz Group Recruits CHRO for PRGX
Anyone with ties to the human resources function knows how much it has evolved in recent years – and with it the role of the chief human resources officer. The biggest shift has been in the CHRO’s progression from fighting for a seat at the table to playing a key role on the executive team. According
Recruit Co. Ltd. Makes Key Technology Investments
Staffing provider Recruit Co. Ltd., an intermediate holding branch of Japanese recruiting behemoth Recruit Holdings, has made three key investments in technology companies, helping to fund Breez Development, which is working to help improve cryptocurrency payments; Techbins Solutions, an AI conversational commerce platform; and Coti Holdings, a next-generation blockchain provider. Recruit Holdings is the owner
Saenger Associates Tapped by MWS Wire Industries to Find New Leader
Los Angeles-based executive search firm Saenger Associates has been retained by MWS Wire Industries to lead the search for its next president. Mike Nadler, senior vice president of client services, is spearheading the assignment along with Gary Saenger, founder and president. MWS Wire Industries is seeking a successor to its retiring president to continue to
Stanton Chase Names Global Aviation Sector Leader
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has continued its recent expansion with the appointment of Ingo Schmittmann, a partner with the Frankfurt office, as global aviation sector leader for the firm’s supply chain, logistics and transportation practice group. “It is a distinct pleasure to announce Ingo’s expanding leadership role in this important worldwide practice group,” said Juan D. Morales, managing director
6 Ways to Conduct an Effective Executive Job Search
In today’s dynamic and competitive job market, the elements of an effective executive-level job search are very different than what may be utilized for non-executive roles. A new report by Rob Croner, vice president of senior executive services at CCI Consulting, explores channels of activity that drive any effective professional job search. “It can be
Search Firms Partner to Find New Commissioner for Southern Conference
Executive search firms College Sports Solutions (CSS) and Buffkin / Baker have collaborated to recruit Ohio University director of athletics Jim Schaus as the new commissioner of the Southern Conference. Atlanta-based College Sports, which managed the search, was chosen for its expertise in finding athletics leaders, while Buffkin/ Baker, based in Brentwood, TN, offered prowess in tapping top academic
Cejka Executive Search Recruits CEO for St. Luke’s Healthcare System
After an extensive nationwide hunt, Cejka Executive Search has placed Kevin Nokels as president and CEO of the St. Luke’s Healthcare System in Duluth, MN. The search was led by Mark Madden, executive vice president and managing principal, and Rebecca Kapphahn, vice president and search consultant. Mr. Nokels currently serves as president of CHI Health Creighton University Medical
Hightech Partners and ICT Control Create Ataya & Partners
Executive search firm Hightech Partners (HTP) has joined forces with Georges Ataya, founder of ICT Control, to create Ataya & Partners. The new venture will provide clients with a full-circle “digitally enabling” menu, ranging from assessments, targeted education, and certification to advisory and staffing services in digital transformation, data protection and information security, said Ataya
CannabizTeam Launches Temporary Recruiting Services
Investors poured $10 billion into cannabis in North America in 2018, twice what was invested in the last three years combined. The North American market is expected to reach more than $16 billion in 2019. While talent deficits are a problem in every industry, the marijuana field is exceptionally short on senior-level leaders who can
