DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
CEO Turnover Surges as Boards Bet on First-Time Leaders
According to Spencer Stuart’s S&P 1500 CEO Transitions Report, 168 new chief executives were named across the index last year, the most since 2010. The surge reflects mounting board impatience with weak growth, activist pressures, AI-driven disruption, and a market environment that rewards speed over tenure. Turnover was broad-based but especially pronounced among smaller companies, with SmallCap
How AI Is (and Isn’t) Changing Search
In boardrooms and talent discussions alike, the conversation around AI has quickly shifted from curiosity to expectation. Organizations are no longer asking whether to use AI in executive search, but how to use it responsibly and effectively. This shift is forcing firms to rethink not just their tools, but their philosophy—how they evaluate leadership, how
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.
Kaye/Bassman Completes Top Search for Vornado Realty Trust
Plano, TX-based executive search firm Kaye/Bassman International (KBIC), a Starfish Partners company, has recruited Elisa Young as executive vice president, head of retail leasing at Vornado Realty Trust, one of the most prominent owners and managers of commercial real estate in Manhattan. Managing partner Scott Huey led the assignment. For Huey and Kaye/Bassman, this placement underscores the importance of specialized executive
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?
Leathwaite Continues Partnership with St Marylebone School
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite is continuing its long-standing partnership with St Marylebone School in London, supporting students as they prepare for the next stages of their academic and professional journeys. The firm said the program is part of its community engagement efforts and reflects its commitment to social mobility and widening access to opportunity. St
Hunt Scanlon Media and Simsola AI Launch Survey on the Last Mile of Executive Search
Executive search firms are under growing pressure to bring greater consistency and transparency to how finalists are evaluated and recommendations are made. As AI and new technology move deeper into the search process, firms are also rethinking how interview feedback is captured, how candidates are compared, and where experienced consultant judgment should carry the most
Investigative Diligence Moves Earlier in Executive Search
Executive hiring decisions increasingly carry reputational, financial, and governance consequences that extend well beyond a candidate’s resume. As a result, boards, investors, and search committees are placing greater emphasis on understanding the broader context behind an executive’s track record before making a final decision. That shift is giving investigative diligence a more prominent role in
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Spirax Group’s Electric Thermal Solutions Division
Carpenter Legal Search, Inc. has recruited Matthew Simonds as general counsel of the Electric Thermal Solutions (ETS) division of Spirax Group, a global industrial engineering company. “Matt stood out throughout the search process because of his combination of legal sophistication, strong business judgment, and ability to serve as a true strategic partner to leadership,” said Lori Carpenter,
Kincannon & Reed Assists Stokes Seeds with Chief Commercial Officer Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has helped to recruit Andy Paston as chief commercial officer of Stokes Seeds, a leading North American supplier of vegetable seed serving commercial growers across the United States and Canada. “Andy brings a strong combination of agricultural expertise and commercial leadership,”
Chartwell Partners Recruits President and CEO for Eagle Bancorp
Dallas, TX-based executive search firm Chartwell Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stephen Curley as president and chief executive officer of Eagle Bancorp, Inc., the Bethesda-based holding company for EagleBank, one of the largest community banks in the Washington, D.C. area. The appointment followed an extensive board evaluation and search of internal and external candidates.
Egon Zehnder Examines the Great AI Divide Reshaping Private Equity Leadership
Private equity firms are moving quickly to determine where AI can create the greatest advantage across portfolio operations and investment strategy. As adoption accelerates, firms are rethinking what kind of AI leadership they need and where those roles should sit. That shift is beginning to reshape talent strategies across the PE market. Over the past
DHR Global Acquires Life Sciences-Focused Discovery Search Partners
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has acquired Discovery Search Partners, a retained executive search firm focused on the life sciences industry. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Bill O’Callaghan of Discovery Search Partners will join DHR as managing partner and Don Evans will join as partner, while Brian Evans will help build out the life sciences vertical
The Lancer Group Recruits CHRO for Liquidity Services
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm The Lancer Group recently assisted in the recruitment of Karen Fascenda as chief human resources officer of NASDAQ-traded Liquidity Services. Chairman and CEO Bill Angrick highlighted Ms. Fascenda’s strong track record of aligning talent strategies with business growth. Ms. Fascenda, in turn, described Liquidity Services as a proven market leader with significant
SearchWide Global Recruits Chief Sales Officer for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
SearchWide Global has placed Cahal Mowery as chief sales officer of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC). Kellie Henderson, global head of destinations, led the assignment. “Cahal brings the experience, leadership and energy we need to continue Nashville’s success as a leading meetings, group and events destination,” said Deana Ivey, president and CEO. “His work in
Riviera Partners Expands in APAC Region
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded it the APAC region with the addition of Gaurav Dev Burman as a partner based in Bengaluru. In this role, Gaurav will advise boards, CEOs and investors on technology leadership searches across India and the APAC region. “Gaurav
Standing on the Shoulders of the CHRO: Shaping the Modern Workforce Era
As organizations confront rapid technological change, workforce disruption, and mounting pressure to build stronger leadership pipelines, the role of the chief human resources officer continues to expand. Today’s CHRO is expected to help shape business strategy, guide organizational transformation, and ensure companies develop the talent, culture, and leadership needed for long-term success. At the same
Resource Management Group Assists U.S. Oral Surgery Management with CFO Search
Resource Management Group (RMG), an executive search firm specializing in CFO placements, recently helped to recruit Jennifer L. Ellis as CFO of private-equity backed U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM). “Congratulations to Jennifer Ellis on her appointment as chief financial officer at US Oral Surgery Management,” RMG said in a LinkedIn post. “Thank you to Doug Drew,
RH Perry & Associates Seeking CFO for Metropolitan Community College
RH Perry & Associates has been retained by Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, Missouri (MCCKC) to lead in its search for a new CFO. The assignment is being led by senior consultant Joanne Bashford and Paul G. Doeg, president and chief operating officer. The CFO provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for the College’s financial stewardship, long-range planning,
Heidrick & Struggles Launches Performance Culture
Heidrick & Struggles recently launched Performance Culture, a new solution that integrates the firm’s existing culture shaping capabilities with the purpose-driven transformation expertise of businessfourzero, the next-generation consultancy acquired by Heidrick in 2023. “Today’s leaders are simultaneously navigating AI-driven transformation, margin pressure, and the need to build more agile organizations in an increasingly uncertain environment,”
The International Executive Search Federation Elects First Woman President
The International Executive Search Federation (IESF) has elected Adelina Rosca, managing partner of Rosman Talent Solutions (RosMinds), as president of its global network. She became the first woman and the first leader from Eastern Europe to lead the organization since its establishment in 2002. Ms. Rosca takes over this month from Gertjan van de Groep of
The Hidden Cost of Getting the CEO Decision Wrong
Russell Reynolds Associates’ latest report, The CEO Decision: How PE Investors Select and Reassess Leaders from Entry to Exit, puts numbers behind one of private equity’s most important human capital questions: how much does the CEO decision matter to investment performance? The answer is significant. Russell Reynolds Associates notes that top-quintile portfolio company CEOs generate
DSG Global Retained by Ronald McDonald House for Inaugural Global Chief Financial & Administrative Officer Search
DSG Global has been retained by Ronald McDonald House to recruit its inaugural global chief financial & administrative officer (CFAO). The search is being led by Cheryl Stevens and Claire Hunt. This executive will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a global System spanning 250 Chapters across 61 countries and regions. This newly expanded
Isaacson, Miller Tapped by Dartmouth College for CIO Search
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has been retained by Dartmouth College to lead in its search for a chief information officer. Becca Kennedy is leading this search with Kristen Andersen and Ryan Smillie. The CIO will oversee enterprise technology, cybersecurity, research computing, enterprise systems, and business transformation while providing strategic guidance on technology governance, resource allocation, operational resilience, and emerging
Calibre One Names Co-Leader of Global Real Estate Practice
New York City-based Calibre One has named Rebecca Wilson as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in New York, she will also co-lead the global real estate practice alongside managing partner David Schumer. “Rebecca combines decades of senior experience in financial services with a strategic consultant’s perspective and a proven track record
Amplified People Group Acquires Higher
Amplified People Group, the people services specialist that supports technology companies from inception to initial public offering (IPO), has acquired Higher, the executive search firm that specializes in AI and engineering leadership hires. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition addresses the pressing demand for AI talent and brings more specialized expertise into
Unlocking Competitive Advantage with Interim Executives
In today’s dynamic economic environment, both investor-backed and public companies are reconsidering how they add senior talent. “In my 15+ years of experience in the interim space, I’m now seeing a significant shift: companies are increasingly embracing senior interim or fractional executives not just as a temporary fix, but as a strategic alternative or complement
AGB Search Retained by Elizabethtown College to Find New President
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search has been retained by Elizabethtown College (Etown) to lead in its search for its 17th president. Melissa K. Trotta and Matthew J. Kilcoyne are leading the assignment. Current president Betty Rider will be retiring on June 30, 2027. The board of trustees is committed to conducting a thorough, inclusive, and forward-looking search that reflects the
BroadView Talent Partners Recruits CFO for Community Shelter Board
BroadView Talent Partners has placed Adrinia Woods as the new CFO of CSB (Community Shelter Board). Christie Angel, Steven Hatchett, Marshawna Williams, and Donna Young led the assignment. “Adrinia distinguished herself with a unique combination of strategic financial leadership, a track record of driving organizational growth and a collaborative approach to building strong partnerships,” BroadView Talent Partners said in a LinkedIn
Coulter Partners Strengthens Global Leadership Team
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has expanded with the additions of Carlos Gómez-Arnau, Doug Roberts, and Stuart Penney as client partners. “These strategic hires further strengthen the firm’s international presence and reinforce its commitment to supporting clients across key healthcare, life sciences, and biotechnology markets,” Coulter Partners said. The appointments expand Coulter Partners’ capabilities across Europe and North
Korn Ferry Posts Flat Fiscal Year-End Revenues
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2025 fiscal year-end revenues of $2.7 billion, a slight rise from the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the number of engagements billed and an increase in weighted-average fee billed per engagement. The firm experienced fee revenue growth in North America, EMEA and APAC regions. Korn
KRW Associates Leads Double Police Chief Searches in Colorado
The public sector is in the midst of major transformation. It faces an array of challenges that range from shifting public expectations to budgetary pressures and a growing demand for operational efficiency. To successfully navigate these issues, government organizations need leaders who are focused, tenacious and adaptable, with the capacity to deal with significant scale,
Nonprofit Talent Expands with New Offerings and Executive Advisor
Pittsburgh-based search firm Nonprofit Talent has recently added James McDonald as executive advisor. It also announced a series of new service offerings. Mr. McDonald is the retired managing director for global philanthropy and employee programs at BNY Mellon. He also served as a director of BNY Mellon Foundation and president of the BNY Mellon Foundation
Meraki Executive Search & Consulting Names New Leader
Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments this past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. Hong Kong-based recruiting firm Meraki Executive Search & Consulting has recently named Nick Marsh as managing director. He is charged with leading the team and driving the continued growth of the company across the
Strong Hiring Intentions to Continue Into Second Quarter
U.S. employers are expecting hiring to pick up in the second quarter, with one in five planning to add staff, according to the latest “Employment Outlook Survey,” released today by ManpowerGroup. Employers in all U.S. regions and industry sectors are looking for headcount to grow. The upbeat forecast indicates that the uncertain political climate continues to have
Seasoned Recruiters Step Out to Focus on Coaching, Strategy and Analytics
Executive search firms and their consultants continue to enter new areas to assist clients that go well beyond recruiting – and sometimes well beyond the firms where they’re working. Two well-respected top executives in the recruitment industry – Mike Marino and Russ Riendeau – have recently stepped away from businesses they led for years to
Major, Lindsey & Africa Places General Counsel for Modine Manufacturing Company
Legal recruiting has largely been booming this year. Recently, recruiters Heather Fine and Michael Sachs from Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) helped place Sylvia A. Stein as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Modine Manufacturing Company in Racine, WI. Ms. Stein joins Modine with 25 years of experience in the legal field. Most recently, she was the associate
Arlington Partners Lands CEO for Institutional Limited Partners Association
A variety of trade associations have turned to search firms in recent months to find new leaders. Arlington Partners International recently recruited Steven Nelson as CEO of the Institutional Limited Partners Association in Washington, D.C. Lisa Heidman, the firm’s founder and CEO, and Deborah Magidson, senior client partner, led the assignment. ILPA was seeking an
Ward Howell Names Kimberly Bishop Chairman of U.S. Advisory Board
Global recruiter Ward Howell International has named Kimberly Bishop as chairman of its U.S. advisory board. Based in New York, she will also collaborate across practices on key talent projects and executive searches. “We are delighted to welcome Kim to Ward Howell,” said Asad Haider, president – Americas, COO and member of the board. “The depth of experience that Kim brings
Gig Jobs Continue to Gain Traction
Today, a growing number of workers are opting for alternative employment models over traditional, full-time, permanent roles. Part-time, contingent, contract, temporary, freelance, independent contractor, on-demand online and platform working – call it what you will, they are all on the rise. Businesses and those who work for them want choice, flexibility and alternative ways of working
TalentRISE Releases Search Tool with Flexible Fee Options
As the executive search sector continues its shift beyond pure-play talent identification, recruiting firms have taken a more innovative approach to working with clients. For many, this has included everything from creating expanded service offerings to offering value-based pricing models. Flexibility, above all else, reigns supreme. While large search firms have offered a myriad of
Korn Ferry Tapped by Louisville to Find Athletic Director
Korn Ferry was recently selected by the University of Louisville to find its next athletic director. The previous AD, Tom Jurich, was fired in the wake of an FBI investigation into recruits being secretly paid to commit to playing for the school’s basketball team. The search firm is looking to fill the role by the end
Jorgenson Places CEO at One Acadiana
One Acadiana, a regional economic development group in Louisiana, named Troy Wayman as its new CEO following a national search conducted by Greensboro, NC-based Jorgenson Consulting. Jason El Koubi, who led the organization since it started two years ago, resigned last year. Todd Jorgenson, the search firm’s managing director and principal, headed the assignment. “Finding a
Boyden Adds Former CHRO in Milan
Executive search continues to be landing spot for HR executives looking for a career change. Just recently, Boyden added veteran human resources executive Michele Marchesan as a principal in the firm’s Milan office. In his 30-year career, Mr. Marchesan has overseen numerous searches for C-suite and senior level management throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S.
Unemployment Rate Remains at 18 Year Low
Employers added 313,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate remained at an 18 year low of 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The January gain is the 89th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed people was essentially unchanged at 6.7 million. Analysts had predicted job additions of
Turnkey Sports and Entertainment Finds Director of Athletics for UNC Charlotte
Specialist recruiters Turnkey Sports and Entertainment has placed Mike Hill as the next director of athletics at UNC Charlotte. Senior executive director Gene DeFilippo led the assignment. Mr. Hill previously served as executive associate athletics director for external affairs at the University of Florida. In addition to his marketing and fundraising roles during his 25 years
Herd Freed Hartz Finds New Leader for the Port of Seattle Commission
Herd Freed Hartz Executive Search Partners has recruited retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Stephen P. Metruck as the new executive director of the Port of Seattle Commission. The search involved outreach to community leaders and stakeholders, five employee forums and an innovative online survey. Candidates from around the region and across the country were reviewed in
CyberSN Launches New JobBuilder Service
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyber attacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. This
Brussels-based Hightech Partners Names Five New Partners
Executive search firm Hightech Partners (HTP) has announced the appointment of five new partners: Eric Lonbois, Marc Verbruggen and Bernard De Groeve in Brussels, Stefano Tresca in London and Pierfilippo Roggero in Milan. “We are proud and extremely happy that a number of senior executives have chosen to join HTP,” said Raffaele Jacovelli, managing director
Wall Street Headcount Shrinking, But Recruiters Still See Opportunities
Competition among recruiters in the financial sector has always been fierce, and that’s no less true in 2018. Although the Great Recession is receding further away in the rearview mirror and things may soon be looking up in terms of regulations, search firms still have their work cut out for them in terms of winning,
B.E. Smith Retained by Prairie Lakes Healthcare System for CEO Search
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 are coming. This has produced a high demand
Livingston James Leads CEO Search for Scottish Football Association
The sports and entertainment field is one of the most active and fast-growing sectors for executive search businesses, with many C-suite-focused recruiting firms having been drawn to it. Recently, the Scottish Football Association retained the services of Livingston James to lead its search for a new CEO. Douglas Adam, director in the firm’s public sector and
Diversified Search Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm Diversified Search, one of the top 10 executive recruitment firms in the U.S., has added Kyung H. Yoon as a senior advisor. She is expected to bring added strength to the firm’s innovation and transformation, consumer and retail, CEO and board practices. “Kyung marries two critical skill-sets,” said Dale E. Jones, CEO of Diversified Search. “She
Riviera Partners Names 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: Riviera Partners has named Will Hunsinger as its CEO. Mr. Hunsinger has been part of the Riviera team for the past two years, serving as chief operating officer before his promotion. During
Korn Ferry Posts 17 Percent Revenue Increase
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2018 fiscal third quarter revenues of $448 million, a 17 percent increase compared to revenues of $381.9 million a year ago. Wall Street expected revenues of $416.5 million. Organic growth occurred in all three lines of business as compared to last year, with Futurestep growing 29.4 percent, executive search expanding 18.1 percent, and
BoardWalk Consulting Seeks CEO for Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
BoardWalk Consulting, an Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm, has been selected to find the new CEO for the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) in Virginia. Anne Scott, who led the foundation for four years, stepped down in October. Sam Pettway, BoardWalk’s founding director, is leading the search. Ayanna Grady-Hunt, a senior associate, is spearheading the research. The
Heidrick & Struggles Lands New CEO for Diebold Nixdorf
Heidrick & Struggles has placed former D+H Corp. executive Gerrard Schmid as the new president and CEO of Diebold Nixdorf. He replaces Andreas W. Mattes, who recently stepped down. Mr. Schmid is a seasoned corporate executive with previous public-company CEO experience and a track record of delivering value in a transforming environment. He has more
DSP Executive Search Opens in Cambridge, MA
Leaders at the best companies know that diversity matters. Not only are the companies that pay attention to such matters rewarded with better financial returns, but they gain perspectives and insights that would otherwise be lost to them. It is also an area that search firms have been highly focused on. To that end, diversity-focused
Nolan Partners Names Global Head of Media and Entertainment
Executive search firm Nolan Partners has expanded with the addition of Andrew Moss as its global head of media and entertainment. He will work out of the firm’s London office, where he will focus on expanding Nolan Partners’ media and entertainment properties around the globe, with specific focus on Europe and the U.S. “Andrew has been a rainmaker
Here’s How Businesses Are Fighting to Hold onto Their Best Talent
Soft skills are the top priority for talent development leaders, according to a new study by LinkedIn Learning, the “2018 Workplace Learning Report,” which offers a holistic overview of learning in today’s workplace. “In the age of automation, adaptability rules,” said the report. “While maintaining technical fluency will be important, demand for soft skills will
RiseSmart Launches New Career Transition Service
RiseSmart, a provider of contemporary career transition services – a space which more search firms are looking at entering – has announced a new service called RiseSmart Express, a suite of career transition solutions and workshops tailored for small and medium businesses. The service helps companies provide soft landings for impacted employees by quickly connecting them to
Phillips Oppenheim Seeks New Leader for the National Arts Club
With the economy strong, hiring in the non-profit sector continues to gain momentum. Recently, the 120-year old National Arts Club (NAC) in New York City enlisted non-profit search specialist Phillips Oppenheim to lead its search for a new executive director. Becky Klein and Mark Tarnacki are spearheading the search. NAC is looking for a leader to
