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The Private Equity Executive Talent Trends That Will Define 2026
Private equity is still a capital business, but it’s increasingly a leadership business. Deal flow isn’t what it was a few years ago and capital is more selective, according to a new report from Beecher Reagan. “Many funds are sitting on dry powder longer than expected,” the report said. “And when that happens, the spotlight
Greenwood Asher & Associates Assists West Virginia University with Provost Search
Following a national search, Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Beverly Wendland as provost and vice president for academic affairs for West Virginia University (WVU). Julie Holley and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. “Beverly is a nationally recognized cell biologist who has served as a faculty member,
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.
EMA Partners India Acquires Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services Provider Taggd
Executive search and leadership recruitment platform EMA Partners India has acquired recruitment process outsourcing services provider Taggd in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 113 crore. The all-cash acquisition aims to create an integrated talent recruitment platform offering executive search, professional search and AI-powered recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions at scale. Taggd will continue to
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?
NGS Global Expands in London
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the additions of Daniel Yeates and George Balfour as managing directors in London. “Daniel and George are accomplished executive search professionals with deep expertise in the technology and digital sectors,” said David Nosal, chairman and managing partner. “They each bring outstanding client and candidate relationships built over decades
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
Marovi Assists Congruex with CFO Search
Working in partnership with Atlanta-GA-based Marovi, Congruex, a provider of digital infrastructure engineering and construction services, appointed Jim Stanley as CFO. He reports to Congruex’s co-founder, president, and CEO, Kevin O’Hara. The appointment comes amid strong and sustained growth at Congruex as it plans to continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds, including AI and data center
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
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
Chief Human Resource Officers in Private Equity Funded Companies
In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business environment—where markets and customer needs are constantly evolving—the CHRO plays a critical role in driving the growth and profitability of private equity-backed companies. The top HR officer is at the vortex, with the CEO, in defining and cultivating the culture and driving the talent agenda so critical to
CohenTaylor Places CEO at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Minneapolis-headquartered CohenTaylor Executive Search has placed St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman as the new president and chief executive officer of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. He will replace Susan Haigh, who is retiring after leading the non-profit for more than 13 years. The organization was seeking someone with a passion for affordable housing, along with a fluency and aptitude for
Vanderbloemen Search Group Tapped by Generation Church to Find New Executive Pastor
Generation Church in Mesa, AZ, has retained executive recruiting firm Vanderbloemen Search Group to lead its hunt for a new executive pastor. The church is seeking candidates who can perform well in the role, whether their education came formally or through learning on the job. “The individual who never stops learning will especially be attractive,”
ZRG Partners Expands Global HR Practice Group
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has expanded its global human resource officers’ practice with the addition of Wendy Murphy as managing director and global practice leader. She will also be engaged in ZRG’s healthcare practice, where she has deep experience in private equity healthcare searches. Joining Ms. Murphy are several key
Signium Names Leader of Global Consumer Goods and Services Practice
Executive search consortium Signium has named Annelize van Rensburg as leader of its global consumer goods and services practice. She has 20 years of executive search experience and is one of the founding members of Talent Africa, which became Signium Africa last year. “Ms. van Rensburg is fulfilling a critical role as successful practice groups are a key part
A New Way to Build Partnerships with Recruitment Firms
Qualified executive talent is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit. The recent drop of the unemployment rate to a 19-year low of 3.9 percent has impacted the availability of talent, and as a result businesses are realizing the benefits of building long-term relationships with recruiters. “Companies are more open than ever to hire retained search firms
JDG Associates Seeks President for Surety & Fidelity Association of America
Rockville, MD-based search firm JDG Associates has been selected to find the next president of the Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA). Lynn M. Schubert, the group’s current president, announced in December that she would be retiring at the end of this year. Paul Belford, principal at the recruitment firm, is spearheading the search. Ms.
Kirk Palmer Associates Lands President for Famous Footwear
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has recruited former Walt Disney executive Molly Adams as the new president of Famous Footwear. The company considered both internal and external candidates. Rick Ausick, who became president in 2009, is retiring this year as part of a planned succession. He will remain actively involved in day-to-day operations during the transition. “Molly
SRiCheyenne Expands North American Sports Recruiting Practice
SRiCheyenne has undergone a wave of growth since its creation last year with the merger of the Cheyenne Group and SRi. Recently, the firm brought aboard a new partner, Glenn Horine, to focus on developing the firm’s North American sports practice. Mr. Horine previously led his own sports & entertainment consulting practice, H & H Consulting, for the
Per Ardua Associates Launches Leadership Consulting Division
London-based financial services search firm Per Ardua Associates has added a new consulting business, Pantheon Leadership Consulting, joining a long and growing list of search firms moving into the leadership advice space. Jennifer Jones will be assisting the lead team at Per Ardua in putting together the new leadership consulting operation. Offerings will include coaching, mentoring,
Talent Shortage Could Threaten Global Business Growth
By 2030, demand for skilled workers will outstrip supply, resulting in a global talent shortage of more than 85.2 million people, according to a newly released report by Korn Ferry. The study found that left to run its course, the shortage will result in nearly $8.5 trillion in unrealized revenue in the economies analyzed. The eye-opening figures are the
University of Texas Taps College Sports Solutions for Head Track Coach
Atlanta-based executive recruiters College Sports Solutions (CSS) has been selected by the University of Texas to lead its search for a new head coach for its track team. The previous coach, Mario Sategna, was fired after five years on the job, with the school saying it wanted to go in a new direction. Jeff Schemmel, founder and
Long Wharf Theatre Picks Arts Consulting Group to Find Artistic Director
Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven has chosen Arts Consulting Group (ACG) to find its next artistic director. The previous leader, Gordon Edelstein, was fired in January after accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct. Josh Borenstein, the group’s managing director, has taken on the artistic director responsibilities in the interim. The search is expected to
HR Veteran Joins hrQ
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. Just recently, hrQ added HR veteran Jack Reynolds to its Dallas office as a principal consultant. Mr. Reynolds is said to be a results-driven global human resources executive and consultant with a broad portfolio of expertise in
Amrop Adds New Member Firm in South Africa
Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 75 offices in 48 countries throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas remains in growth mode. Its newest member firm is Woodburn Mann in South Africa. Led by managing partner Andrew Woodburn, Woodburn Mann was established in 1982 in Johannesburg. It serves a range of clients across southern
Alexander Mann Solutions to be Acquired by OMERS Private Equity for $1.1 Billion
OMERS Private Equity, the private equity investment arm of Ontario-headquartered OMERS, has entered into an agreement with New Mountain Capital to acquire Alexander Mann Solutions, a London-based talent acquisition and management services firm, for $1.1 billion. Alexander Mann Solutions has industry expertise in a number of sectors, specifically retail and financial services; investment banking and
Calibre One Recruits CEO for Monster
Executive search firm Calibre One has placed Scott Gutz as the new CEO of jobs website Monster. He replaces Mark Stoever, who left the company in 2017. Partner Diane McIntyre and principal Mark Frank led the assignment. “Monster is at a pivotal point in its digital transformation and we’re thrilled to have someone with Scott’s experience and
Sterling Martin Associates Places CEO at National Association of County and City Health Officials
Following a national search conducted by Sterling Martin Associates, the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) selected Lori Tremmel Freeman to be its next chief executive officer. Prior to joining NACCHO, Ms. Freeman served for four years as CEO of the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, where she
ZRG Names Consumer Products Practice Leader
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Giovanni Lamarca as a managing director and a consumer products sector leader within the firm’s growing consumer practice. “The addition of Giovanni strengthens our strategy and commitment to accelerate our ability to serve a wider range of
IRC Global Appoints EMEA Leader
IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) has named Tomasz Sokolowski, vice president of IRC Poland (HBK), as its new EMEA regional leader. He takes over from Gaye Özcan, managing partner of IRC Turkey and EMEA regional leader since 2014. “On behalf of all members we congratulate Tomasz on his appointment as regional leader,” said Rohan Carr,
Glassdoor Agrees to $1.2 Billion Sale to Recruit Holdings
In a sudden, all-cash $1.2 billion deal, online jobs portal Glassdoor has announced that it has agreed to be sold to Tokyo-based Recruit Holdings, a human resources company with far-reaching tentacles into the global recruiting sector. Glassdoor, renowned for its employee reviews of businesses as well as salary information, will become “a distinct and separate
CarterBaldwin Places President at Tim Tebow Foundation
The Tim Tebow Foundation, a non-profit global service for children, has named Steve Biondo as its new president with the assistance of CarterBaldwin Executive Search. He replaces Erik Dellenback, the foundation’s first executive director, who led the organization for seven years. The firm’s founding partner Price Harding headed the assignment. “We are excited for Steve
Closing the Deal with Candidates in the Life Sciences Sector
The competitive landscape of the life sciences industry is transforming executive recruiting. “Growing pressure to rapidly advance scientific discovery and expand market share is making the competition to attract top talent as fierce as ever,” this according to a new report authored by Dan Strauss, client partner and head of the pharmacovigilance and risk management
Acertitude Places Chief Technology Officer at DRB Systems
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Richard Harris as the new chief technology officer of DRB Systems, a provider of technology-enabled devices and software solutions to the car wash industry. Senior partner Scott Carberry headed the search. Mr. Harris was identified, evaluated and placed in 58 days. DRB is a portfolio company of New Mountain
NGS Global Continues Expansion
Executive search firm NGS Global has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Chris Pearce, a former member of the Australian House of Representatives, as managing partner with its Oceania team in Melbourne, Australia. Mr. Pearce is a highly-experienced professional in both the commercial and public sectors. The firm said that his background “aligns perfectly with
Here’s 3 Keys to Successful Executive Recruiting
Just about every business publication today, it seems, is talking about the impact of the growing talent shortage on both individual organizations and the overall economy. Research suggests that roughly 40 percent of employers are currently experiencing hiring difficulties. What’s more, 76 percent of hiring decision-makers surveyed for a recent Glass Door report said that
Bridge Partners Places Head of Global Talent at Acumen
Recruitment firm Bridge Partners has placed HR veteran Anna Stillwell as head of global talent at Acumen, a New York City-headquartered non-profit impact investment fund. Partner and co-founder Tory Clarke led the search. Ms. Stillwell joined Acumen from the Wikimedia Foundation, where she was a leader in talent and culture. In that role, she played a crucial
Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette Places President and Vice Chancellor at Mount Allison University
College and universities around the world are facing new and growing challenges. Financial woes, enrollment concerns, and debates over free speech, among other issues, are all keeping leadership at institutions of higher learning on edge these days. For some schools, survival is even on the line. Recruitment of the right leaders, and choosing a search
Century Group Opens in Denver
El Segundo, CA-based executive search firm Century Group has opened a new office in Denver, marking its fifth location. Managing director Peter Nelson will lead the firm’s efforts in the region. “We have been identifying new locales for expansion,” said Ron Proul, CEO. “Denver is one of those that allow the group concept to service the region’s
Rialto Recruitment to Add New Office, Eyes Further Expansion
Rialto Recruitment | Atlantae Executive Search, a technical and scientific focused search firm based in Niel, Belgium, is continuing to expand. The firm recently announced plans to open a third branch in either East Flanders or West Flanders by this summer. It is expecting further growth by the end of the year. The firm recently
Five Things to Consider When Creating a Company Culture
Human resources executives and recruiters have been using the term “cultural fit” – generally defined as the ability of an employee to fit with the core beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that make up an organization – for a decade or two. And culture shaping is now seen as one of the most important drivers to
Slone Partners Recruits CFO for Vermillion
Executive search firm Slone Partners has placed Bob Beechey as the new CFO of Vermillion Inc., a bio-analytical solutions company focused on gynecologic disease. “Bob is a brilliant financial mind whose experience managing the business and commercial aspects of healthcare companies will prove invaluable to Vermillion,” said Tara Kochis-Stach, president of Slone Partners. Mr. Beechey has served
