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Daily Newswire
Top 10 Executive Search M&A Deals for 2025
M&A activity in the human capital sector is holding up well despite a choppy macro backdrop, with deal interest staying steady even as founders weigh risk more carefully. In Hunt Scanlon Media’s latest polling, a majority of executive search firm owners signaled they would consider a transaction, underscoring how succession planning, scale pressures, and shifting
Lochlin Partners Assists the Entertainment Software Association with CFO Search
Lochlin Partners has helped to recruit Heather Dean as the new CFO of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) in Washington, D.C. In this executive leadership role, she is responsible for overseeing all financial activities of the association, including fiscal management of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the ESA Foundation, and serving as treasurer of the
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.
CIO Partners Leading Cybersecurity Search for Flexsteel Industries
CIO Partners was recently retained by Flexsteel Industries in Dubuque, IA, to lead in its search for director of cybersecurity. This role partners closely with IT, executive leadership, legal, compliance, operations, and external security partners to reduce cyber risk, strengthen business resilience, and ensure the organization is prepared to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover
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?
Pacific International Launches Leadership Coaching and Onboarding Service
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International Executive Search has launched its new leadership coaching & onboarding service. This will support senior leaders through the highest-stakes moments of their careers. “The first months in a new leadership role, a step-change in scope, the pressures of C-suite leadership – these are just a few examples where an experienced coach can turn potential into value faster
Leveraging AI to Drive Business Development in Executive Search
AI is beginning to reshape how executive search firms approach business development, moving the process beyond traditional account lists and periodic outreach toward more continuous market intelligence. By helping recruiters identify meaningful changes across companies, leadership teams, and professional networks, AI is creating new opportunities to engage clients with greater relevance and better timing. The
Korn Ferry Retained by Convergence for CEO Search
Korn Ferry has been retained by Convergence to lead in its search for a new CEO. Joan Larrea will retire as CEO in early 2027 after more than a decade of leadership. Since inception, Ms. Larrea has led the organization through a decade of significant growth, helping establish Convergence as the world’s leading authority on
St. Olaf College Taps Brettschneider Executive Search for Chief Information Officer Search
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been selected by St. Olaf College to lead in its search for chief information officer. St. Olaf seeks a values-forward, innovative CIO. The next CIO of St. Olaf College will serve as a trusted advisor to the provost, president, and president’s leadership team on the role of information and library resources
Boyden Seeking CEO for Creative BC
Boyden has been retained by Creative BC in Vancouver, British Columbia to lead in its search for a new CEO. Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership to an organization that sits at the center of British Columbia’s creative economy. The CEO will lead the execution of Creative BC’s mandate
Signium Expands in Belgium
Executive search consortium Signium has expanded with the addition of Valérie Schmitt to its Belgium team as leadership consulting partner. “She will support executive leaders and teams at pivotal moments, helping them navigate change and succeed in complex environments,” Signium said. “Drawing on more than 25 years in senior corporate roles, Valérie brings first-hand experience of the challenges
How AI Is Reshaping Executive Assessment and Leadership Development
As organizations look for better ways to evaluate leadership potential, attention is shifting beyond experience and credentials toward how executives actually think, communicate, make decisions, and respond under pressure. AI is creating new ways to analyze those behaviors at scale, giving executive search firms and their clients additional evidence when assessing qualities such as judgment,
Caldwell Assists the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the Recruitment of President for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project
Toronto-based Caldwell has assisted the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the recruitment of Cheryl Nelms as president of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project. Her appointment follows a competitive international executive recruitment process. The search was led by Drew Railton, Lucy Antrobus, and Vicky O’Connor. “With more than 25 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure projects across Canada, Cheryl brings
TOC Arts Partners Fills Key Position for Film at Lincoln Center
New York City-based TOC Arts Partners has helped to recruit Trent Anderson as vice president of development of Film at Lincoln Center (FLC). This follows an extensive national search led by senior strategist, Brenna Thomas. “Throughout the search process, Trent distinguished himself with his strategic vision, fundraising expertise, and thoughtful leadership,” said Daniel Battsek, president of Film
True Launches Forensic Referencing Offering
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Forensic Referencing, a new executive intelligence capability designed to help investors, boards, and executive teams make more informed leadership decisions before high-stakes investments, new business relationships, and governance milestones. The firm named Christopher Jaros as partner to build and lead the offering. This expands True’s executive intelligence platform, complementing the firm’s executive
Long Ridge Partners Appoints Director
New York City-based Long Ridge Partners has named Chrissie Shin as director. “Please join us in congratulating Chrissie Shin on her promotion to director,” Long Ridge Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Chrissie’s expertise, dedication, and leadership have made her an invaluable member of the Long Ridge team. This well-earned promotion reflects the impact she’s made across
Navigating the Search for Tomorrow’s HBCU Leaders
Leadership searches at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are becoming increasingly complex as boards weigh institutional legacy against rapidly changing demands on presidents. Executive search firms are being asked to identify candidates who can balance mission, financial stewardship, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and long-term strategy while navigating a more uncertain higher education environment. For HBCUs,
Egon Zehnder Called in by CAAT Pension Plan for CEO Search
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has been selected by the board of trustees of CAAT Pension Plan to lead in its search for its next chief executive officer. This follows the departure of longtime CEO and plan manager Derek Dobson, who recently resigned. The search will focus on leaders who can combine strategic vision with operational discipline,
The National Airlines Council of Canada Retains Odgers to Lead Search for CEO
Odgers was recently retained by the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Jeff Morrison has informed the board of his intention to retire. He will continue to lead the association until a successor is appointed to ensure a seamless transition of leadership. To support the
PierceGray Expands Staff with New Vice President
PierceGray has expanded with the addition of Kara Hennessey as vice president in the firm’s finance practice. She will be based in the New York office. “PierceGray is excited to welcome Kara Hennessey to the team as our newest vice president,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “Kara brings almost 10 years of executive search
The ExeQfind Group Forms Alliance with Aspire HR Consultants
The ExeQfind Group has formed a strategic partnership with Aspire HR Consultants – Middle East, an executive search and leadership advisory firm covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from offices across Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. “Partnering with Aspire HR Consultants represents a significant step in strengthening our international capabilities,” said Warren
Private Equity Faces Growing Leadership Succession Risks
Private equity firms are placing greater emphasis on leadership planning as talent availability becomes an increasingly important factor in value creation. For executive search firms, that shift is expanding the mandate beyond filling immediate vacancies to helping sponsors identify succession risks, build deeper leadership pipelines, and prepare portfolio companies for transition well before a critical
Cook Silverman Search Tapped by EPACANDO to Help Find New Executive Director
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search was recently retained by East Palo Alto Community Alliance and Neighborhood Development Organization (EPACANDO) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Current executive director Duane Bay is planning to retire. The non-profit seeks an experienced, community-centered executive director to lead the organization into its next chapter: Building the capacity
RH Perry & Associates Retained by Skagit Valley College for President Search
RH Perry & Associates has been selected by Skagit Valley College (SVC) to lead in its search for a new president. The assignment is being led by senior consultant Sue DeWine and and Paul G. Doeg, president and chief operating officer. The president will strengthen the College’s ‘One College’ approach by enhancing coordination across the Mount Vernon and Whidbey
Modern Executive Solutions Names Managing Director
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Matheus Furlan as managing director. “Matheus brings a global perspective to leadership development, with experience helping executives and teams navigate change, build self-awareness, and lead more effectively across cultures and business contexts,” Modern said in a LinkedIn post. “His background as a master coach, facilitator,
HiBob Secures Funding to Drive AI-powered Enterprise
Tel Aviv-based HR tech platform HiBob has announced an investment led by Salesforce with additional participation from Farallon. This marks a key milestone in HiBob’s evolution from a modern HR platform into an organizational intelligence layer for modern businesses. The investment reflects a shared belief that trusted workforce data and organizational context will become critical infrastructure for the AI-powered enterprise.
The M&A Predictions That Shaped 2026
Ansarada’s 2026 Global M&A Predictions Report brought together 26 dealmakers from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand around four central expectations: M&A would remain resilient despite uncertainty, interest-rate relief could unlock activity, energy and technology would attract capital while consumer sectors lagged, and AI would become increasingly important to both asset
Korn Ferry Posts Q1 Fiscal-Year 2027 Revenues of $756.5 Million
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q1 fiscal-year 2027 revenues of $756.5 million, an increase of seven percent year-over-year with growth in all regions. This marks the firm’s sixth consecutive quarter of top line growth. The growth was led by double digit growth in search and workforce solutions of 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively.In addition, first
AGB Search Seeking University of Illinois System President
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has tapped Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search to lead in its search for the University of Illinois System president. Roderick McDavis, Sally Mason and Garry W. Owens are leading the assignment. The president will lead the system into the next era of higher education with strategic vision, effective and authentic communication, and a
CarterBaldwin Assists AdelFi With Chief Innovation and Technology Officer Search
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Cameron Forbes as chief innovation and technology officer of AdelFi, a division of Christian Community Credit Union. His appointment is a key piece of AdelFi’s strategy investing in enhanced cybersecurity and regulatory readiness, scaled digital channels for engagement and accessibility, and improved personalized, digitally enabled member experiences. Associate partner
Rising Importance of CISOs: Navigating Expanded Roles, Strategic Influence, and Compensation Challenges
As the cybersecurity function becomes increasingly integral to organizations, the CISO role continues to grow in importance, complexity and scope of responsibilities. This evolution presents an opportunity for CISOs to expand their strategic influence with top leadership and opens up avenues for professional growth, according to recent report from IANS and Artico Search. “By effectively navigating these changes, CISOs
MWM Consulting to Head Zurich Insurance CEO Search
London-based executive recruiters MWM Consulting has been selected by the Zurich Insurance Group AG to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. The company is seeking a replacement for current CEO Martin Senn. With more than 55,000 employees, Zurich Insurance provides a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services and serves customers in
Russell Reynolds Strengthens Board Effectiveness Practice
Russell Reynolds Associates has added Anthony Goodman in Boston as a member of its board effectiveness practice. “Our board effectiveness practice is expanding to help clients build stronger and more vigorous boards,” said Mark Adams, leader of the firm’s operations in the U.S. “Anthony’s experience will add to the strength of the team and help us provide world-class
Cripps Sears Continues Expansion Into Sub Saharan Africa
Executive search firm Cripps Sears & Partners has continued its international expansion with the addition of Ted Theodore. Based in Lagos, he will be heading the firm’s office there and will work closely with its practice leads in developing business in Sub Saharan Africa. Mr. Theodore worked with Shell for two decades in diverse HR and business roles,
Witt/Kieffer Names Board Services Chair
Witt/Kieffer has transitioned Jena Abernathy to lead the firm’s board services practice as managing partner/chair of board services. She also serves on the firm’s board of directors. Jim Gauss formerly led the practice. As a senior partner, Mr. Gauss will remain involved with the firm’s board services practice, as well as its healthcare practice. Ms. Abernathy, based in Witt/Kieffer’s Atlanta office, began
Are We Approaching a ‘Tipping Point’ In Gender Leadership Equality?
Women at Canadian companies only account for 8.5 percent of chief executive positions among the country’s top 100 companies, but advocates are optimistic that number will rise in coming months. Canada’s new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set a milestone in Canadian politics recently when he unveiled a new cabinet with equal numbers of men and women. When asked
CPS Energy Taps Korn Ferry To Find Its Next CEO
CPS Energy has selected Korn Ferry to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Current CEO Doyle Beneby is leaving the organization to join Chicago-based New Generation Power International. Paula Gold-Williams, currently its group EVP and chief financial officer, has assumed the interim CEO role as Korn Ferry conducts the search. “We have made great progress,
Talentsoft Receives Funding From Goldman Sachs
Talentsoft, a global, privately held leader for cloud-based talent management solutions, has completed a funding round of $27 million. The round was led exclusively by Goldman Sachs’ merchant banking division. The company’s software application suite provides an end-to-end talent management solution, ranging from recruiting to learning, and from compensation to performance management. Talentsoft targets both mid-market and
Coleman Lew Heading Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO Search
Executive search firm Coleman Lew + Associates has been selected by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte to lead its search for a chief executive officer. The CEO will report to the board of directors and lead the BBBS agency to ensure that the mission, strategy, values, and goals of the organization are achieved. Big Brothers
Conroy Ross Partners Expands Executive Search Practice
Executive search firm Conroy Ross Partners has named Terry Stein as vice president with the firm’s executive search practice. He has an extensive background in recruiting and talent management for organizations in the energy, professional services, healthcare, manufacturing, construction and property development industries. Prior to joining Conroy Ross, Mr. Stein was a partner in a boutique search
The Specialist Global Boutique: Challenges and Opportunities in Life Sciences
One of the hallmarks of outstanding companies is that they have a knack for being one step ahead of others in understanding where the market and the innovations that drive it are headed. Bianca Coulter has built a career out of staying ahead of that curve. After a successful 10-year stint with Korn Ferry in
Russell Reynolds Taps Outsider to Run L.L. Bean
Russell Reynolds Associates has recruited Stephen Smith as president and chief executive officer of Maine-headquartered L.L. Bean. He replaces Chris McCormick who has served as president and CEO since 2001 and is retiring in three months. He will be the fourth president in L.L. Bean history and the first outsider to lead the company. Mr. Smith
Allegis Partners to Recruit CHRO for The Children’s Place
Global executive search firm Allegis Partners has been retained by The Children’s Place to recruit a chief human resources officer (CHRO). The position is based in Secaucus, NJ, and will report to Jane Elfers, chief executive officer. Leading the search is Mike Bergen, managing partner & global practice leader, HR, and Cher Murphy, managing director, human resources. Demand for
Judith von Seldeneck Receives 2015 William Penn Award
Diversified Search founder and chairman Judith M. von Seldeneck has been honored as this year’s recipient of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce William Penn Award. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a business executive in Greater Philadelphia. Awarded annually since 1949, recipients are chosen for their outstanding contributions toward the betterment of the region,
Executive Search Firms Continue Expansion to Latin America
Executive recruiting firm Proco Global Group has opened a new office in Mexico City and appointed Gabriela Bautista to lead the new location. She will reports to Girado Suarez, managing director of the firm’s New York office. The new office will cover recruitment in the automotive, aerospace, food & beverage and processing chemicals sectors. Ms. Bautista will be supported
Penna Plc Reports 20 Percent Net Revenue Spike
Penna Plc, a provider of executive search and interim management services across the public and private sectors, has announced significant increases in six-month revenue, its best half year performance since the Great Recession began. The firm’s interim unaudited financial results for the six months ended September 30 shows a 15 percent increase in gross revenue to £47 million and
DHR Lands CEO for Tampa Bay Partnership
DHR International has recruited Rick Homans as president and chief executive officer of the Tampa Bay Partnership. The search was completed by David Smith, partner – economic development, and Tina Winner, a partner at DHR’s Jobplex. The Partnership conducted a nationwide search and interviewed candidates in Florida and throughout the U.S. Mr. Homans previously served as president
Spencer Stuart Recruits Barclays CEO
Spencer Stuart has recruited James Staley as chief executive officer of Barclays Plc. Executive chairman John McFarlane ousted CEO Antony Jenkins and had pledged to tackle a “cumbersome and bureaucratic” bank. Mr. Staley has nearly four decades of experience in banking and financial services. He worked for over 30 years at J.P. Morgan initially training as a commercial banker, and
Tatum Adds Integration Specialist In Houston
Tatum, a Randstad company and leading interim services and executive consulting firm, has added Eric Marin as a client service partner in the firm’s Houston office. He will be responsible for developing Tatum’s business in the Houston market with a specific focus on CFO and CIO services. “Throughout the course of his career, Eric has earned
Appointed Partners Launches to Serve Private Equity and Fortune 1000 Companies
Appointed Partners, a leadership advisory solutions firm, has been launched by Marci Nigro. The firm was created to connect private equity and Fortune 1000 companies with qualified board director and C-level leaders. The new plans to focus on board diversity, next generation leadership, and cross-functional board expertise. Ms. Nigro brings 25-plus years of experience in
Social Media Now No. 1 Global Platform for Finding Talent
Nearly two-thirds of companies (65 percent) found new hires through social media in the past year, according to a just-released Society for Human Resource Management survey entitled The Importance of Social Media for Recruiters and Job Seekers. The report was produced in collaboration with Ascendo Resources. Fifty-seven percent of organizations reported finding new employees through LinkedIn, 30
Life Sciences Specialist Expands to Pharmaceutical Capital
Global life sciences search specialist Coulter Partners has expanded into Switzerland with the appointments of Graham Johnson as executive vice president and Helene Johnson as executive assistant in its new Basel office. They join Toby Ernberg, who serves as EVP in Basel. The Swiss chemical industry operates largely from here. But the city also boasts a large pharmaceutical industry, hence its
ON Search Partners Recruits CFO for Tesla Motors
ON Search Partners has placed Jason Wheeler as chief financial officer of Tesla Motors. The search was led by partner Larry Ormsby. Mr. Wheeler previously served as vice president of finance at Google where he oversaw global financial operations for the company including FP&A, accounting, internal audit, treasury, tax and financial operations. He joined Google in 2002
Trilogy Search Taps Director for Pivot Learning Partners
Trilogy Search Non+Profit has recruited Michael Hopkins to serve on the board of directors of Pivot Learning Partners. He will support the work of Pivot and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Chuck Pappalardo, managing partner, led the assignment for Trilogy. Mr. Hopkins is the chief executive officer of Ice Energy, a provider of thermal energy
Dice Posts Four Percent Revenue Decline; Looks to Europe for Growth
Dice Holdings, Inc./(NYSE:DHX) posted revenues of $65.1 million, a decrease of four percent from $67.6 million in the comparable quarter of 2014. This was due primarily to revenues from businesses acquired over the past year, which contributed $13.2 million of growth in the quarter. The company’s net income for the quarter totaled $6.5 million, or 12 cents
Boards Seek Diversity With Help of Executive Recruiters
Sixteen percent of new corporate board directors are 49 or younger according to the annual Korn Ferry Market Cap100 (KFMC100), a study of board practices at the largest U.S. companies by market capitalization. On boards as a whole, while just four percent are 49 or younger, youth nevertheless seems to be trumping long time experience. “The
Witt/Kieffer Taps President for Robert Morris University
Witt/Kieffer has placed Dr. Christopher B. Howard as the eighth president of Robert Morris University. Dr. Howard was previously president of Hampden-Sydney, a private college for men in Hampden-Sydney, Va., one of the nation’s top liberal arts institutions. He was formerly vice president for leadership and strategic initiatives at the University of Oklahoma and has worked for General Electric’s Corporate Initiatives Group and
Heidrick Recruits Outsider As DuPont CEO
Heidrick & Struggles has placed Edward D. Breen as chairman and chief executive officer DuPont. This is the first time in 213 years the chemical maker will be led by someone who isn’t a Du Pont or has a long history at the company. Mr. Breen has served as interim chair and CEO of DuPont since October; he joined the company’s
Webber Kerr Associates Expands in Europe
Executive search firm Webber Kerr Associates has named Victoria Leonard as a senior consultant in its London office. She will help contribute to the firm’s growing engagements in Western Europe within the engineering and manufacturing sectors, in addition to helping with the firm’s overall strategic direction. Ms. Leonard has more than 18 years of recruitment experience, including 10 years
Executive Search Firms Continue Migration to South Africa
MRINetwork, a global executive search and recruitment organization, has launched offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg Fourways. Lynn Kleinsmith has been named president of MRINetwork Cape Town while Nina Axt will lead the offices as managing director in Johannesburg Fourways. With a background in talent acquisition and HR leadership, Ms. Kleinsmith previously served as head
Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Level Since 2008
The labor market bounced back in October as employers added 271,000 jobs and the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to a flat five percent according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The unemployment rate stands at its lowest mark since April 2008. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg estimated 182,000 new jobs were created, according to
Diversified Search Recruits CIO for Aurora Health Care
Diversified Search has placed Preston T. Simons as chief information officer for Aurora Health Care. The search was led by managing director Tony Leng, practice leader for the firm’s chief information officer/IT practice and head of Diversified’s technology and private equity practices. Mr. Simons most recently served as vice president of information technology and chief information officer at Abbott
