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Caldwell Expands Financial Services and Real Estate Practices
Toronto-headquartered Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Ben Sturnham as a partner in the firm’s financial services and real estate practices. Based in London, he advises clients on board and C-suite recruitment across the full breadth of the real estate, financial services, and real estate finance sectors in the U.K., Europe, and the Middle East. “Ben is
The Emergence of the Chief AI Officer: What Leaders Need to Understand
Boards and CEOs are quickly realizing that AI isn’t just another tool—it’s becoming a foundational operating layer. That acceleration is forcing companies to rethink who sets priorities, manages risk, and turns experimentation into measurable value. Out of that pressure, a dedicated C-suite leader for enterprise AI strategy is starting to take shape. Not long ago,
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.
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
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?
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Redefining Executive Potential: The New Paradigm for Identifying and Developing Future-Ready Leaders
Selecting and developing successful leaders has never been easy. But today, the cost of identifying the wrong leader is rapidly increasing, as complex economic, talent, technology, and geopolitical changes seed uncertainty across the global business environment, according to a recent report from Russell Reynolds Associates. Research published in Harvard Business Review shows that excessive leadership turnover
AGB Search Tapped to Find Iowa State President
As the academic year winds down, a number of colleges and universities across the country are already preparing for September. For many of them, that means opening searches that will deliver new, high profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, more often the case, globalization. Among the latest, the Iowa
Spencer Stuart Leading CEO Search for ITV
ITV chief executive, Adam Crozier, who led a turnaround at the broadcaster, is stepping down at the end of June from his role and from the company’s board after seven years. The U.K. commercial TV network has turned to Spencer Stuart to find his replacement. In his seven years at the helm, Mr. Crozier turned around the
Vetted Solutions Makes West Coast Expansion
Executive search firm Vetted Solutions LLC has expanded with the addition of Catherine Brown as vice president for West Coast operations. She will join the firm in Los Angeles as a search partner, leadership consultant and interim executive. Ms. Brown brings to the firm a deep knowledge of both association and philanthropic organization management. Most recently, she served as president of
Hydrogen Group Acquires Argyll Scott
The wave of merger and acquisition activity among executive search firms overseas continues. The latest deal: U.K.-based executive search firm Hydrogen Group has acquired Argyll Scott for £3.3 million. Together, the combined firms will deliver recruitment services across multiple functions, industries and countries. The acquisition allows Hydrogen to accelerate international growth plans and benefit from greater strength and depth
Women Not Having Career Conversations On Advancement
Women are underrepresented in industries that anticipate the greatest growth in jobs — engineering, technology, architecture and mathematics. But they are overrepresented in office and administration positions, sectors most threatened by digitization, automation and robotics. That’s why, recruiters report, that it’s vital for women to be open to discussions about developing their skill sets and other
More Search Firms Forming Advisory Boards
BarkerGilmore, a New York-based boutique executive search firm specializing in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has formed an advisory board of 12 former general counsel and chief compliance officers. This team, many of whom have served in Fortune 500 companies, is charged with providing advisory and leadership development services, complementing the firm’s core recruiting business.
Neumann Executive Search Seeking CHROs for Two Universities
Chief human resource officers (CHRO) have made big strides as strategic game changers and sounding boards for CEOs. The best ones, in fact, are now critical C-suite players. These days, clients of all kinds around the country are demanding such talent, and that’s sending recruiters off in hot pursuit. The latest: Neumann Executive Search Partners has been
DHR International Fills Chief Research Post at Akron Children’s Hospital
DHR International has placed Dr. Michael Kelly as chief research officer of Akron Children’s Hospital. Scott Sette, North American leader of the firm’s healthcare services & solutions practice, led the search. In his new role, Dr. Kelly will oversee the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute and research activities conducted enterprise-wide, directing the process to define the vision, clinical trial
GatenbySanderson Bolsters Leadership Development Services
U.K.-based executive search firm GatenbySanderson has named Matt Gascoigne as chief operating officer as well as Anthony Surley and Kate Pearlman-Shaw as partners. The additions build upon the firm’s efforts to bolster its leadership and organizational development consulting services. Mr. Gascoigne has almost 20 years of professional recruitment experience working with clients from both public and private
USA Gymnastics Puts Out Casting Call to Search Firms
An open casting call is underway for executive search firms to assist USA Gymnastics in its hunt for a new chief executive officer. The organization has been without a CEO since Steve Penny resigned in March because of allegations that he and USA Gymnastics failed to properly address claims of sexual abuse against member coaches and Larry
D. Hilton Associates Leads Searches for Credit Union CEOs
These are critical days for credit unions. The industry boasts of nearly 6,000 federally insured credit unions in the U.S., with more than $1.2 trillion in assets, according to the National Credit Union Administration. But with the retirement of Baby Boomers, among other factors, the cooperatives are facing the loss of more than 4,000 chief
The Newport Group Appoints IT Practice Leader
Demand for top technology executives continues to gain momentum. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, CTO hiring is predicted to grow by 18 percent by 2022. This has led executive search firms to add recruiters that specialize in the evolving technology sector. Among the latest, The Newport Group, based in Encinitas, CA, has named Nicki
Waverly Partners Find New CEO for Norman Chamber of Commerce
Executive search firm Waverly Partners has named Scott Martin as the new president and chief executive officer of the Norman Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma. Past CEO John Woods left the organization this past November. Debbie Galbraith, managing director and principal at Waverly Partners, led the assignment. Mr. Martin will report to the board of directors and is responsible for
IRC Names New Americas Leader
IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) has named Tom Berray, managing partner of Cabot Consultants, as its new Americas leader. He takes over from Jane Lyons, managing partner of Rhodes Associates, who stepped down from the role after two years as the IRC Americas regional leader. Mr. Berray has worked in executive search for more than
What Drives Employee Satisfaction
Across today’s business landscape, organizations face numerous obstacles as they deal with the complexities of a 21st century workplace. Managing, and anticipating change, is now part of the common survival process of every organization. One challenge HR professionals continue to cite is creating and sustaining high degrees of employee engagement across their organizations and developing
Fogler Consulting Lands Head Basketball Coach for UMass
Executive search firm Fogler Consulting has recruited Matt McCall as the new head basketball coach for the University of Massachusetts. The school fired coach Derek Kellogg after nine seasons with the program. The decision to move in a new direction came just after the season ended with the Minutemen going 15-18, including 4-14 within its conference. UMass now turns to Mr.
TalentRISE Names Partner
Chicago-based executive search firm TalentRISE has promoted Allicia Hahn to partner. “I am very pleased to officially welcome Allicia as our fifth partner in the firm,” said Rick Gray, TalentRISE chief executive officer. “Since arriving nearly two years ago, she has contributed tremendous value to our business and long-term growth objectives, and as important, sets an enviable leadership
Hudson Global Posts Small First Quarter Revenue Gain
Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) posted first quarter revenues of $103.4 million, up 2.2 percent percent in constant currency, from a year ago. By region, Hudson Asia Pacific led the way, recording a revenue gain of 16.9 percent while Hudson America had a revenue increase of 12.5 percent. Meanwhile, Hudson Europe continues to struggle posting a revenue decrease of
Erevena Recruits CEO for Adlens
London-based executive search firm Erevena has placed John Kennedy as chief executive officer of next-generation eyewear manufacturer Adlens. The company’s previous CEO Michael Ferrara retired this past fall and COO Frank Lavety has been serving as the company’s interim chief. Mr. Kennedy has business experience in multiple areas, including management, operations, supply chain and marketing. He also has over 10 years of experience
Five Tips for Recruiting Best-In-Class Talent
Finding the best employee to fill a role is crucial to any organization, but it rings especially true for top positions. When hiring C-suite leaders, the cost of a bad hire can be more than a monetary setback. You cannot undo poor company performance when your top executives do not perform. “As you delve into the
U.S. Job Growth Machine Cranks On
Employers added 211,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. During the month, the number of workers unemployed also dropped to 7.1 million. April marked the 77th straight month of job growth in the U.S. Economists had widely expected the number
Vetted Solutions Leading Architects Foundation Director Search
Executive search firm Vetted Solutions LLC has been tapped by the Architects Foundation to lead its search for a new executive director. Vetted Solutions president and founder, Jim Zaniello, and vice president Nancy Green are leading the assignment. The incoming leader will be responsible for directing the fundraising and operational activities of the foundation to support its strategic and financial goals.
Lancer Group Lands CEO for First Advantage
La Jolla, CA-headquartered executive search firm The Lancer Group has placed Scott Staples as CEO of First Advantage, an Atlanta-based provider of comprehensive background screening, identity, and information solutions. Partner Simon Francis led the assignment. Mr. Staples most recently worked at Mindtree, a digital transformation and information technology services company, which he co-founded in 1999. He was president
Walter James Acquires Euromedica
What started as a wave in M&A activity among executive search firms throughout Europe before Brexit has turned into a bit of a tsunami lately. The most recent deal: U.K.-headquartered executive search firm Walter James has acquired Euromedica Executive Search Limited. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Walter James operates in the life sciences sector with
Assessing Soft Skills to Land Your Next Top Hire
When you’re hiring a new employee, it can be easy to miss some marks during an interview and focus simply on whether the candidate has the technical skills to do the job on day one. While technical skills are important, it isn’t enough to find someone who can do the job without also assessing a
Search Firms Step Up Effort to Land Change Agents for PE Clients
There is no other sector that demands such top end service from its search partners than private equity. Portfolio companies represent some of the most innovative, well-funded and high-growth concerns in all of business. As a result, much of the talent that private equity firms seek are highly-charged change agents — a professional breed getting more
Brigham Hill Replaces Top Leader at The Calhoun School
After conducting a nationwide search, Brigham Hill Consultancy has recruited Dr. Steven Solnick as new head of school for The Calhoun School in New York City. He succeeds Steve Nelson who is retiring after 19 years of leadership. The assignment was led by consultant Jessica McCann and Brigham Hill founder Linc Eldredge. The search committee and board of trustees
Heidrick & Struggles Lands New Leader for Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday has named Jim Hyatt, former CEO of Church’s Chicken, as its new president and chief executive officer. Heidrick & Struggles conducted a seven-month search to replace James J. “JJ” Buettgen, who resigned in September. Mr. Hyatt brings four decades of restaurant industry experience to the Maryville, TN-based chain as it looks to regain its profitability
TRANSEARCH Continues Global Expansion
TRANSEARCH International is continuing its expansion with new additions Dilek Gümüslü and Patrizia Fontana as partners in Istanbul, Turkey, and Milan, respectively. Ms. Gümüslü has five years of experience in executive search, talent assessment / leadership development projects. She has led assignments mainly in financial services, retail, FMCG, automotive, telecommunications, and industrial goods from mid-level manager to senior C-suite executives.
Why New Jobs Remain Hidden From Most Executives
Without question, significant numbers of executives feel that one of the biggest challenges to advancing their careers is simply being unaware of, or lacking accessibility to, job openings. The hidden job market, as some call it, is hardly a conscious effort on the part of recruiters to keep good talent in the dark. Instead, it
Koya Leadership Partners Posts 33 Percent Jump In Revenues
Executive search firm Koya Leadership Partners posted revenues of $8 million last year, a 33 percent rise from the previous year, according to the latest statistics report soon to be released from Hunt Scanlon Media. The firm currently has 40 consultants working from offices in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles as well as staff in remote offices across the
