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Executive Search Faces Shrinking Demand
As a search firm owner, you’ve likely had the call by now. “A larger firm reaches out with interest in acquiring your boutique,” said James Abruzzo, managing partner of JGA Partners. “You take the meeting, curious. They make an offer—lower than you expected, maybe far lower. You politely decline, but the seed is planted.” You wonder, did
Morgan Samuels Company Recruits CFO for PE-Backed Western States Water
Nashville, TN-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels Company has Tanya Toot as the new CFO of Western States Water, a Strength Capital Partners portfolio company. Tom Dunn, Jarrod Gray, Justin Kai Ossola, Benjamin Wolf, Mallory Allen, and Raquel De La Vega led the assignment. “We’re grateful for the trust from the Strength Capital and Western States Water teams,
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.
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
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?
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
The Christopher Group Selected by Penn Highlands Healthcare for CHRO Search
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has been retained by Penn Highlands Healthcare to lead in its search for a new chief human resources officer. Managing partner, Molly Mangan, and partner, Carrie Longmire, are leading the assignment. “The chief human resources officer will play an important role in helping Penn Highlands
Where AI Belongs in Executive Search—and Where It Doesn’t
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every aspect of the executive search profession, creating new opportunities to improve efficiency while raising important questions about where technology should—and should not—play a role in the hiring process. As firms continue to integrate AI into their workflows, the focus is increasingly shifting from whether to adopt these tools to how
Isaacson, Miller Leading President Search for Virginia Tech
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has been selected by Virginia Tech to lead in its search for a new president. Current president Tim Sands announced his resignation in April. Greg Esposito and Julie Filizetti are leading this search with Kristen Andersen, Raul Bernal, Victoria Castillo, and Gabrielle Nayar. The school seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as its
Parker Remick Appoints Partner of Firm Operations
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick recently named Jena Gibson as partner of firm operations. This is part of the executive search firm’s expansion of operational infrastructure and AI-enabled delivery capabilities. The firm noted that all in response to rising demand for senior technology and AI leadership. Ms. Gibson joins Parker Remick with more than 15 years
Building an Employer Brand That Attracts Top Executive Talent
In today’s competitive business environment, where organizations are vying for top talent, a strong employer brand has become an essential strategic advantage. It plays a critical role in attracting and retaining high-quality candidates while also contributing to an organization’s overall success. A recent report from the International Executive Search Federation (IESF) delves into the importance of a
Krauthamer & Associates Assists the Dallas Area Rapid Transit with CEO Search
Krauthamer & Associates (K&A) has assisted in the recruitment of Nathaniel Ford as president and CEO of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). “Mr. Ford brings decades of executive leadership in public transportation, a proven record of organizational transformation, and a deep understanding that transit is about much more than buses and trains,” said DART board chair
Slone Partners Makes Senior Appointments
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has named Sona Stroud and Kim Wilson as senior partners. Ms. Stroud has been promoted to the position following nearly 15 years with the firm, while Ms. Wilson returns to the organization, further strengthening its leadership team with nearly 17 years of experience with the firm. “Few things are more rewarding than recognizing exceptional leaders
The Evolution of Tech Leadership in Europe: 40 Years of Transformation
As technology continues to reshape every sector of the economy, executive search firms are seeing a fundamental shift in the profile of leaders organizations need to remain competitive. Companies are no longer seeking executives with deep technical expertise alone—they are prioritizing transformational leaders who can navigate disruption, lead enterprise-wide change, and align emerging technologies with
Changing the DNA of Growth-Stage Recruiting
As growth-stage companies accelerate expansion under private equity ownership or new investment, leadership teams are placing greater emphasis on the organizational structures that support long-term value creation. While executive search has traditionally focused on identifying transformative leaders, many organizations are also rethinking where the talent acquisition function belongs within the enterprise to ensure hiring strategy
ZRG Acquires Aspen Leadership Group
Global talent advisory firm ZRG has acquired Aspen Leadership Group, a search firm focused on placing and supporting top fundraising leaders and executive talent in educational institutions and the broader non-profit sector. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, the Greenwich, Connecticut-based human capital M&A advisory firm, served as an advisor on the deal. “The addition of Aspen Leadership Group is
FaithSearch Partners Leading Chief People Officer Search for Centura Health
Executive search firm FaithSearch Partners has been retained by Denver-based Centura Health to lead its search for a senior vice president and chief people officer. The top HR post will report to the president of Centura and be responsible for the delivery and management of all system-wide human resources functions. The executive will be a major contributor to business
Keeping Talent Pipelines Full In the Academic Research and Health Sciences Fields
While universities have been turning to executive search firms for their leadership needs for years, the higher education sector has been broadening its reach to hunt for more specialized leaders. As a result, search firms have expanded their niche offerings to the sector, identifying athletic directors, coaches, and any number of other top posts for
Options Group Acquires Sydney-Based Broadstreet Global
Global financial recruiting specialist Options Group has acquired Broadstreet Global, a financial services search and strategic consulting firm based in Sydney, Australia. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Broadstreet Global specializes in search and consulting for a number of interrelated sectors, including investment banking, capital markets, structured products, alternative asset classes and insurance. Its client
Heidrick & Struggles Taps CEO for ANSYS
Executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles has placed technology industry veteran Dr. Agei S. Gopal as president and chief operating officer of ANSYS, Inc. He will become chief executive officer in January. James E. Cashman, who has served as ANSYS’ CEO since 2000, is stepping down at the end of the year. He will stay with
DHR Completes AD Search for Purdue
Executive search firm DHR International has placed Mike Bobinski as athletic director of Purdue University. He replaces Morgan Burke who announced he would retire next summer after serving in his position nearly 26 years. The search was led by DHR managing partner and global sports practice leader Glenn Sugiyama. Along with DHR, the search committee consisted of Purdue faculty, athletics administrators and
Kingsley Gate Partners Names Partner in Newly Opened Denver Office
Executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners has named Geoff Hall as a new partner to support the firm’s growing life sciences practice. Mr. Hall will be based out of Kingsley Gate’s newly opened Denver office. With more than 17 years of unique and differentiated expertise in leading cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, operations, legal, finance, quality and engineering, Mr. Hall
Futurestep Names North America President
Futurestep, a Korn Ferry company that provides talent acquisition solutions, has named Bill Gilbert as president of Futurestep North America. In this capacity, Mr. Gilbert will lead the strategy and growth efforts for both its search and solutions businesses in the region. In addition, he will drive the Futurestep strategy across the region and continue to work closely
What Makes A Good CEO?
The average U.S. CEO approval rating stands at 67 percent, according to a new statistical analysis of CEO approval ratings by Glassdoor, which measured CEO quality according to employees. The Glassdoor Economic Research reveals a number of factors that ultimately drive employee perception of CEOs, some of them quite surprising. The study, ‘What Makes a Great CEO?‘ looks
The RSA Group Names New CEO
Life sciences-focused executive search firm The RSA Group has appointed Alex Bennett as its new chief executive officer. He replaces Chris Molloy, who leaves the firm to head up the U.K. Medicines Discovery Catapult. Mr. Bennett comes to RSA with an international track record in senior level life sciences executive search, specializing in medical devices and diagnostics. His most
Academic Search Retained by Wright State to Find New Leader
With the new school year underway, education-focused recruiter Academic Search has been retained by Wright State University in Ohio to lead its search for a new president. David R. Hopkins will retire as president when his contract expires next June. Senior consultants Dr. Jerry M. Israel and Dr. Mac A. Stewart will lead the assignment. “The selection of a highly
Korn Ferry Chosen to Lead CEO Search for Pier 1
Korn Ferry has been retained by home furnishings retail company Pier 1 Imports to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Current CEO Alex Smith is leaving at the end of the year. His departure comes as the company also said last week that sales fell 6.7 percent in the second quarter. Mr. Smith had a
IRC Adds New Member Firm in Latin America
IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) has added Chile-based Inquest Consultores as its newest member firm. Inquest Consultores, led by Pia Puebla Menne and Isabel Walker, has been a key player in the Chilean executive search and compensation management consulting sector for more than 14 years. Chile is one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations, leading Latin
Employers Looking to Increase Q4 Hiring
U.S. employers indicate a slight increase in hiring plans for the final three months of 2016, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, released today by ManpowerGroup. Taking into account seasonal variations, the Net Employment Outlook for the fourth quarter is up 18 percent, which matches the strongest post-recession Outlook since 2007. Hiring plans nationwide improved by three percentage
Major, Lindsey & Africa Recruits Chief Compliance Officer for CONCACAF
Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has recruited Guilherme Carvalho as chief legal and chief compliance officer of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in Miami. The international search was led by Brian Davis, Rosalind Dodd and Jeffrey Liebster, all based in MLA’s New York office. The organization sought a leader with appropriate legal credentials, extensive work experience in
McDermott & Bull Lands Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Post for Golden 1 Credit Union
Executive search firm McDermott & Bull has recruited Val Scott as chief technology and innovation officer to Golden 1 Credit Union, the nation’s sixth largest Credit Union with $10 billion in assets. The search was led by Brandon Biegenzahn, co-chair of the firm’s financial institutions practice, along with associate consultant Michelle Davis. During the course of the search, 171 candidates were
Benchmark Executive Search Launches New Service to Connect Cybersecurity Experts
Benchmark Executive Search has launched Expert Network, a new service designed to match its network of experts, advisors and consultants with companies seeking to upgrade their corporate asset protection, risk management and cyber strategies. To address the growing need for a full spectrum of enterprise risks in corporate boardrooms and at the C-suite, Benchmark has assembled a
Signium Strengthens Search Staff In the Netherlands
Executive search firm Signium has added Honoré Verbeet as a partner in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Signium currently has 47 offices in 27 countries serving clients in the Americas, Europe / Middle East / Africa and the Asia Pacific regions. The firm delivers talent acquisition and management solutions for global companies across industry sectors, including consumer goods, financial services,
Mixed Salary Growth Persists Eight Years After Great Recession
A new analysis by the Hay Group division of Korn Ferry shows mixed salary recovery figures across the world, eight years after the fall of Lehman Brothers signaled the beginning of one of the worst global recessions in history. Pay data is drawn from Korn Ferry Hay Group’s PayNet database, which contains salary and job data for
Egon Zehnder Leading Chairman Search for National Bank of Greece
Following the recent debt crisis in Greece, the country’s second largest lender — the National Bank of Greece (NBG) — has retained Egon Zehnder to lead its hunt for a new chairman. According to NBG, the new chair must have a good understanding of the environment in which the bank operates (e.g. regulatory, legal, economic), including the
IQ Partners Recruits CEO for Institute of Communication Agencies
Executive search firm IQ Partners has placed Scott Knox as president and chief executive officer of the Institute of Communication Agencies. The combined position is new for the organization. Its previous CEO, Gillian Graham, resigned last March, while former president Jani Yates left the ICA in May to lead Advertising Standards Canada. It was after that departure that a decision was
IIC Partners Launches Professional Development and Training Platform
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has launched the IIC Partners Knowledge Academy. The platform serves to provide IIC Partners members with access to a library of professional development webinars, training and educational resources and collaborative learning tools. Knowledge Academy serves as an opportunity for members to grow their business through the exploration of a wide array of topics
JW Michaels Appoints Head of Partner Placement Division
New York-based executive search firm JW Michaels & Co. has named Richard Zakin as a managing director to lead its national partner placement division. With a decade of experience in practicing executive search and as a former partner for more than eight years with two of The American Lawyer’s Am Law 100 firms, Mr. Zakin brings a unique and personal
Hunt Scanlon Launches Recruiting Industry Media Center
Hunt Scanlon Media recently launched its Recruiting Industry Media Center (IMC), a newly-developed service designed to help companies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and other entities with their human capital and talent acquisition needs. As a real-time, high touch product, the IMC allows end users to research and conduct in-depth due diligence on leading search firms and talent
Berkhemer Clayton to Lead CEO Search for Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Berkhemer Clayton has been retained by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association (The Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game) to recruit its next executive director and chief executive officer. William Flinn, current association executive director, will retire next year after more than three decades with the organization. Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, the search firm’s president and corporate board practice leader,
JDG Associates Recruits Executive Director for Marine Technology Society
Executive search firm JDG Associates Ltd. has placed Kevin Traver as executive director of the Marine Technology Society (MTS). Principal Paul Belford led the search. Mr. Traver will lead MTS in its mission to promote awareness, understanding, advancement and application of marine technology. He will report to the board of directors, primarily through the MTS president, apprising the board on matters critical
Korn Ferry Posts 40 Percent Q1 Revenue Increase
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2017 fiscal first quarter revenues of $392.9 million, a 40 percent increase compared to revenues of $279.3 million a year ago. The growth was primarily due to increases in fee revenue in Futurestep and the company’s recently acquired Hay Group segments. During the quarter, Korn Ferry substantially completed its fiscal 2016 restructuring
Lucas Group Names Manufacturing Practice Leader
Executive search firm Lucas Group has expanded its presence in Southern California with the addition of Jennifer Bowers as managing partner and leader of its manufacturing practice in San Diego. She joins a tenured team of manufacturing recruiters. Ms. Bowers has served in various recruiting roles with Adecco and Eastridge Workforce Solutions. Across California, manufacturing is experiencing a boom as the local economy
As Labor Market Tightens, Hiring Mistakes Take Center Stage
Within the executive, managerial and professional sector, hiring authorities are frequently making key mistakes that are hampering not only their ability to hire, but also their employer brand and retention rates, according to an employment landscape survey just completed by MRINetwork. The report reveals that lengthy hiring practices and misconceptions about what motivates top candidates to make a job
Spencer Stuart Recruits CEO for TESSCO Technologies
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has recruited Murray Wright as president and chief executive officer of TESSCO Technologies. He assumes the role from founder and past CEO Robert B. Barnhill Jr., who will assume the role of executive chairman and continue to serve as the chairman of the board. The appointment of a new CEO comes amid declining revenues and earnings which
AGB Search Leading President Search for Central Connecticut State
Executive search firm AGB Search has been selected by Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to lead its search for a new president. Robert Holyer Ph.D., senior consultant at AGB Search, is leading the assignment. Founded in 1849 as New Britain Normal School, CCSU is Connecticut’s oldest publicly funded university. It is made up of four schools: the Ammon College
Ward Howell Appoints Global Leader of Insurance / Alternative Investments Practice Groups
Executive search firm Ward Howell International has appointed Theodore ‘Ted’ Petrara as partner and global leader of its insurance and alternative investments practice groups. He is based in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Petrara’s team will deliver executive search and leadership advisory services to insurers, reinsurers, hedge funds, and other originators and investors in the alternative
