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What are Boards Doing Differently for Better Executive Appointments in 2026?
Boards are increasingly reshaping how they approach executive appointments—building the governance discipline, assessment rigor, and future-facing criteria needed to make confident leadership decisions in a more volatile and accelerated world. Leadership decisions are moving faster, carrying higher stakes and less room for error, according to a recent report from Signium. “Today, boards are asking whether
Why Speed is Critical in Executive Recruiting
Executive leadership vacancies rarely arrive at a convenient moment—and in a business climate defined by rapid change, shrinking decision windows, and relentless performance demands, the cost of an empty seat compounds quickly. What was once viewed as a manageable transition period can now undermine momentum across strategy, operations, and culture, especially when teams are already
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
Developing Future Leaders: Executive Readiness and Succession Planning
Leadership changes can shape the future of a business. With challenges ranging from unexpected vacancies to planned retirements, having a robust succession plan is a strategic priority for companies of all sizes, according to a just released report from DHR Global. “Succession planning is more than just identifying potential successors. It’s about building a sustainable
Culture Transformation Consultancy Walking the Talk Appoints New CEO
Walking the Talk, a global culture transformation firm, has appointed Chris Pierce-Cooke as its new CEO. He replaces co-founder Carolyn Taylor, who shifts to the role of executive chairman. Mr. Pierce-Cooke has over 20 years of multinational experience as a business leader, entrepreneur and advisor in publicly traded, private partnership and family-owned businesses with revenues between $1
Catherine French Group Finds Leader for New Spire Arts
Following an extensive national search, Daniel Phoenix Singh, a dancer and arts leader, has been selected to lead New Spire Arts in Frederick, MD. The search was led by Catherine French Group, a specialist in the performing arts sector located in Washington, D.C. Mr. Singh “is excited to be working with New Spire Arts and
Major, Lindsey & Africa Finds CIO for Ice Miller
Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has placed Matt Tader as chief information officer at AmLaw 200 firm Ice Miller. The assignment was led by partner Amanda K. Brady along with managing director Dustin Laws. “Matt’s strong record of developing and executing turnarounds involving significant change with processes, people and technology, ideally position him to drive process efficiencies within
TRANSEARCH Opens Offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong
TRANSEARCH International has expanded with the opening of new offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The locations will be led by Addy Lee and Donald Hsu, respectively. With a corporate general management background and having placed over 500 senior executives into multinationals and Chinese companies, Mr. Lee is described as an astute judge of people and character. He also has
The Idea of Cultural Fit Might Be More Myth Than Reality
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. The popularity of the concept has ebbed and flowed, but as an HR professional
Toft Group Lands CEO for Neurotrope
Executive search firm Toft Group Executive Search has recruited Charles S. Ryan as a board member and CEO at NY-headquartered clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Neurotrope. He assumes his new role in two weeks. Mark Soufleris, Toft Group’s pharmaceutical practice leader, led the search along with vice president Raul Lamas. “We are proud to have placed Dr. Ryan as Neurotrope’s next
B.E. Smith Leads CFO Search for Oklahoma Medical Center
As the healthcare industry continues its transformation, talent management remains a high priority. The shortage of physicians and other clinicians is one matter. But healthcare organizations must also fill new and expanding leadership roles to carry out strategic initiatives in response to reform efforts, and whatever changes Congress may deliver. This has produced a high
hrQ and Revolution Advisors Merge
Executive search and professional services firm hrQ and human capital consulting specialist Revolution Advisors have joined forces. The firms will move forward operating under the hrQ banner and platform, led by managing partners Kha Le, Molly McCoy, Kathy Rapp and Brian Wilkerson. “This positions hrQ to help our clients get ahead of the curve when it comes
SRi Opens New Office In Shanghai
Executive search firm SRi has expanded its Asia operations with the launch of a Shanghai office and the addition of key staff to its Greater China team. The Greater China team, which is led by partner Ting Zhang, has seen growth of 25 percent over the past year thanks to senior search and advisory work across major sports,
How to Stay Ahead of Recruiting Challenges This Year
Competition for finance talent is fierce. To stand out among competitors – and attract top talent – employers are constantly seeking ways to stay on top of recruiting trends and face new challenges head-on as they arise. New York-based search and advisory firm Atlantic Group recently released a new report, authored by senior director Sarah Brumbley, laying out the
Vlaad and Company Chosen by Canada Infrastructure Bank to Lead Search Efforts
Vlaad and Company, a Toronto-based financial services executive search firm, has been retained to help structure and take part in the hiring of up to 50 employees that are expected to be added to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) by this summer. The newly created bank is designed to attract private investment in Canadian infrastructure
Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates Seeks President for University of Oklahoma
Executive search firms continue to reap the benefits of an active education sector, which many academic recruiters report has never been busier. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels. If any slowdown is coming, it most likely will be found at the talent identification stage. With so much
Quick Leonard Kieffer Appoints CEO
Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments this past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: Chicago-based Quick Leonard Kieffer has named Steven M. Derks as its president and CEO. He takes over from Roger Quick, who will now serve as vice chair. “We are delighted to welcome
StevenDouglas Expands Into Canada
Sunrise, FL-based executive search firm StevenDouglas has expanded into Canada with the opening of a new office in Toronto. Navinder Binning, who joined the firm as vice president, will lead the executive search business in the Canadian region, said the firm. Her focus will be to further develop the recruiters’ presence by delivering high-caliber talent for Canada’s leading
Bringing Today’s Candidates Into New Talent Pipelines
Companies continue to have trouble attracting and hiring top talent. As the scope of readily available high-level candidates shrinks, leading prospects have more offers than ever. For employers, the answer is to place greater emphasis on the candidate in building a talent pipeline, according to a recent study by Aberdeen Group. Eighty-seven percent of companies
TillmanCarlson Names CEO
Executive search firm TillmanCarlson has appointed Kelly Carlson as its president and CEO. Entering its 16th year, the firm says her promotion sets the stage for growth, innovation and the ability to provide a clear alternative to larger human capital firms. “When we founded the business in 2002, we set out to build a firm that was
Preng & Associates Lands CEO for Memphis Light, Gas and Water
After a national search, executive recruitment firm Preng & Associates has placed Jarl T. Young as the new president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW). Appointed by Mayor Jim Strickland and approved by Memphis City Council, Mr. Young begins his tenure March 19. He replaces Jerry Collins, who is retiring at the end of this
Russell Reynolds Associates Finds New CEO for Struggling Neiman Marcus Group
Russell Reynolds Associates has helped to place Geoffroy van Raemdonck as the new CEO of Neiman Marcus Group. The former Ralph Lauren group president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa replaces Karen Katz, who is retiring on Feb.12. The Dallas-based luxury department store company has been struggling under heavy debt since its $6 billion
Spencer Stuart Appoints Financial Officer Practice Leader
Chicago-headquartered search firm Spencer Stuart has named Christopher Gaunt as leader of its financial officer practice for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mr. Gaunt works on a variety of main board CFO appointments across industries in the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and for private equity-backed portfolio companies. He has a strong international focus, often for
A Road Map to the Evolving American Workplace
For American workers, “the ability to do what they do best” is the single most important factor in considering a new job, according to the recently released “State of the American Workplace” report from Gallup. In all, 60 percent of the employees surveyed said that the ability to do what they do best in a
ZRG Partners Names Country Head for China
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has expanded with the addition of Carren Shi as a managing director and country head of China, based in the firm’s Shanghai office. She brings to the role 20 years of local market business experience, with more than 12 years in executive search. Over the years, Ms. Shi has
Korn Ferry Lands New GM for Houston Texans
With the NFL season all but over and the Super Bowl approaching, a flurry of coaching and general manager activity has been underway. Korn Ferry recently assisted in placing Brian Gaine as the new general manager of the Houston Texans. His predecessor, Rick Smith, took an extended leave of absence to help care for his wife, who
Accelent Fills CTO Post for Beam Solutions
Demand for top technology executives continues to gain momentum. Chief technology officer hiring, in fact, is expected to grow 18 percent by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. It’s a trend that is keeping executive search firms well occupied. Executive search firm Accelent recently placed Andreas Bayer as the chief technology officer of
Jackson Healthcare Acquires Search Firm Avant Healthcare Professionals
Acquisitions continue to make news in the recruiting industry and the latest wave appears to be carrying into 2018. The most recent: Jackson Healthcare, a provider of healthcare recruiting, search and technology services, has acquired Orlando, FL-based search firm Avant Healthcare Professionals. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Avant, a veteran player in international
Human Strengths Touted as the Solution to Challenges of the Skills Revolution
As technology transforms organizations, skills needs are changing rapidly and companies are struggling to find the talent they need. The key to coming out on top for individuals and employers alike is to develop the best blend of technical skills and soft skills, according to a recent report issued by ManpowerGroup. The “Robots Need Not
Witt/Kieffer Tapped to Find New AD for University of California, Berkeley
Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has been retained by the University of California, Berkeley, to lead the search for a new director of intercollegiate athletics. The new hire will replace Mike Williams, who is retiring in May. Greg Santore, principal and practice leader of Witt/Kieffer’s sports leadership practice, is leading the assignment, along with senior partner Zachary Smith, deputy
Bridge Partners Places Four Senior Leaders for Non-Profit Groups
New York-based executive recruitment firm Bridge Partners has placed four top-level leaders – three chief executive officers and an executive director – with innovative non-profit organizations. The groups are: Global Health Corps, Global Fund for Children, Headstrong Project and Resource Area for Teaching. At Global Health Corps (GHC), which has its headquarters in New York,
NPAworldwide Adds Six New U.S. Member Firms
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added six member firms in the U.S. as it continues to expand its global roster. NPA now has 500 member offices across six continents. Membership in the network allows independent recruiters to serve their clients and candidates by partnering with other member firms on a split-fee basis. “Congratulations to each of our new members,”
Agilium Worldwide’s Irish Arm Expands
Principal Connections, the Irish arm of Agilium Worldwide, officially opened the doors of its new offices in Galway, its first outside of Dublin. “I am delighted to welcome the expansion of the firm to Galway and to congratulate Pat O’Donnell and indeed all the Principal Connections consulting team on this tremendous milestone,” said Mary Hoade, an
Four Major Global Recruiting Trends from LinkedIn
Hiring talent has become highly transactional. Tedious candidate searches, endless scheduling and repetitive screening can be inefficient and mind numbing. A new report suggests that it’s time for recruiting to focus on the more gratifying aspects of the job – the human part, the strategic part. LinkedIn just released its 2018 Global Recruiting Trends report, revealing
DHR Recruits Head Football Coach for University of Arizona
With the college football season at its end, expect to see a lot of firing and hiring activity involving coaches. With that, schools are expected to continue relying on search firms to fill the resulting vacancies. The latest, after a search that lasted all of about two weeks, DHR International has placed Kevin Sumlin as head
