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KPMG Finds Success in M&A Remains Stacked Against Acquirers. Here’s Why.
New research from KPMG found that 57.2 percent of acquirers ultimately destroyed shareholder value, despite many appearing promising before closing. “Although many deals looked promising in the months leading up to closing – generating an average 13.2 percent in total shareholder return above the relevant S&P sector index – TSR dropped an average of 7.4 percent in the
Experience vs Resilience: The Age of Disruption is Changing How Firms Approach Leadership
Executive hiring used to follow a simple rule: find someone who’s already delivered the next stage of growth. That worked when markets moved in straight lines. Now they don’t—and leaders are judged less by replaying old playbooks and more by how quickly they adapt when conditions change. The way firms have hired executive leadership has
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.
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
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
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
Executive Search in 2024: Challenges, Trends, and Hopes for a Hiring Resurgence in 2025
For many search firms in almost all industry segments, 2024 has been a tough year. There are many reasons for the recent downturn, and some firms have experienced a dip in revenues for even longer, according to Tim Tolan, founder, chairman, and managing partner of The Tolan Group. “Lots of changes are on the horizon
Leadership Capital Group Forms Alliance With Ackermann Group
Westport, CT-based executive search firm Leadership Capital Group has joined forces with Madrid- headquartered Ackermann Group to expand its regional capabilities. The deal expands both firms’ presence throughout Latin America in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Chile and Costa Rica with over 50 search consultants in the region. Leadership Capital Group has been a primarily North American and
Hiring Is Surging — So Why Do So Many People Feel Left Behind?
Full-time, permanent hiring in the fourth quarter is projected to be the most robust since 2006, with seasonal hiring poised to outpace last year’s projections by a healthy margin, according to CareerBuilder’s latest forecast. Thirty-four percent of U.S. employers plan to hire full-time, permanent staff this quarter, and nearly the same percentage (33 percent) expect to
U.K. Healthcare Organization Turns to Russell Reynolds Associates to Find CEO
The Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to find its new chief executive officer. Sir Ron Kerr has decided to step down as CEO after 30 years in senior NHS leadership roles. “My immediate focus is to ensure a fully-planned and well-managed transition to a new chief executive who can take over
Amrop Expands With Hires in Denmark, India and Poland
Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 83 offices in 57 countries throughout Asia, EMEA, and the Americas, has added Rita Garg as a principal in India, Lukasz Kiniewicz as a principal in Warsaw, Nicole Egeda Paustian as a partner in Copenhagen and Chandrasekar R. as a partner in India. Dr. Garg leads the healthcare
Stanton Chase Recruits Board Directors to Wolters Kluwer NV
Stanton Chase International has placed Jeanette Horan and Fidelma Russo as members of the board of directors of Wolters Kluwer NV, a major global professional information services and technology company. Mary Matthews, managing director, led the search. Ms. Horan retired from IBM in August after a distinguished career that saw her hold many key leadership roles, including that of
McKinley Marketing Partners Opens Office in New York
McKinley Marketing Partners, an executive recruiting firm focused on marketing professionals, has opened a new office in New York City. This is the second office location McKinley has opened in the last four months with its Houston office opening this past summer. Leading the New York metropolitan region is the firm’s new director of business
Talent Shortages Expected by Recruiters
Reports continue to point to talent shortages and the latest ‘Recruiter Nation Survey’ released by Jobvite is not different, with 56 percent of recruiters citing the lack of available skilled talent as a key stumbling block in hiring. The report, which polled over 1,400 executive recruiting and human resources professionals, also found that 95 percent of recruiters
Winnebago Turns to Spencer Stuart to Recruit CEO
Motor home manufacturer Winnebago Industries has retained Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. The company started searching for a CEO after former chief executive Randy Potts retired in August. Following Mr. Potts leaving the company, Robert Olson took over for about a month. Lawrence A. Erickson, the chairman of the board, is now serving
Centennial Inc. Recruits Cincinnati Non-Profit CEO
Cincinnati-based executive search firm Centennial Inc. has recruited John Banchy as president and chief executive officer of the Children’s Home of Cincinnati. Mr. Banchy has more than 14 years of experience in leadership roles and most recently held leadership positions with the March of Dimes at the local, state and regional level. In his new role, he will oversee the advancement of the organization through strategic relationships
Heidrick & Struggles Names Americas Real Estate Sector Head
Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Graham Beatty as head of its Americas real estate sector within the firm’s financial services practice. He will be based in Heidrick’s New York office. Mr. Beatty has over 15 years of experience that includes leading C-suite executive searches for organizations ranging from investment management platforms to real estate owners, operators and developers. He has also
Major, Lindsey & Africa Launches EMEA Solutions Practice Group
Search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has launched a solutions practice group across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to assist companies and law firms manage variations to complex legal workloads without adding to permanent headcount resources. Based in MLA’s London office, Laura Fellows now leads the group for this region. In EMEA, the solutions practice
Why Is Hiring Taking Longer?
Hiring times in the U.S., Canada, and in many major European markets and Australia are mushrooming, according to several new research reports. Adding time to the hiring clock is putting hiring plans in disarray, setting talent acquisition professionals off to conduct more of their own search work in an effort to reduce hiring cycle times.
Odgers Berndtson Adds Former Norman Broadbent President
Former Norman Broadbent president Sally Drexler has joined Odgers Berndtson in Los Angeles as a partner, establishing a new presence for the firm in the consumer and media industries. Ms. Drexler has over 15 years of international search experience specializing in digital, retail, media, and the travel industries. Previously, she was president of Norman Broadbent USA, where she
Egon Zehnder Lands CEO for Participant Media
Egon Zehnder has placed David Linde as chief executive officer of U.S. cable channel owner Participant Media. The move comes six months after Jim Berk resigned from his post following a strategic review of the business. Mr. Linde joins Participant Media from Lava Bear Films, a company he launched after years of executive stewardship of Universal Pictures, Focus
Korn Ferry Recruits Center for Innovative Technology CEO
Korn Ferry has recruited Ed Albrigo as president and chief executive officer for Richmond, VA-based Center for Innovative Technology (CIT). He succeeds Peter Jobse, the current CEO, who announced his intention to return to the private sector at the end of this year. Mr. Albrigo was previously chief operating officer for The Hilltop Companies, a consulting
ZRG Partners Adds Retail Banking Recruiting Specialist
ZRG Partners has added Rahul Kapur as managing director to support growth in the payments and retail banking sector. He will join the firm’s global financial services practice. Mr. Kapur brings 23 years of senior level experience to the space. He has worked as a practice leader with several top consultancies including Cognizant, CapGemni, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Capco, and Mastercard Advisors. He
One Recruiter’s Journey From Industry to Executive Search
Managing director Jeff Ashpitz has spent the last 17 years with Strawn Arnold & Associates, a leading life sciences recruiting specialist based in Austin. But it was his earlier corporate experience in life sciences, which lasted nearly 30 years, that set the groundwork for a storied career in executive search. In this interview, Jeff reveals
Filling CFO Pipelines Growing In Complexity As Demand Soars
Executive search firm Hulce Associates has recruited Greg Andrews as executive vice president and chief financial officer of CyrusOne. Colleen Hulce, the firm’s founder and CEO, led the assignment. Mr. Andrews brings over 20 years of real estate experience and has previously held CFO and executive management positions with other publicly traded REITs and an investment advisory firm. Most
David Barrett Partners Launches Hong Kong Office
David Barrett Partners has opened a new office in Hong Kong and appointed Philip Williams to head the firm’s new location. Mr. Williams has focused on investment and wealth management executive search for 13 years, initially in London and since 2009 in Hong Kong. He has completed searches for senior investment, distribution, and business leadership roles in
680 Partners Recruits CEO for Remote Systems Metrics
New York City-based executive recruiter 680 Partners has placed Richard Chmiel as chief executive officer for Remote Systems Metrics. As CEO, Mr. Chmiel’s first priority will be to drive and scale sales and product development, and continue to extend its product and market leadership position. Ross Freeman, 680 Partners CEO, led the search. Mr. Freeman works in partnership with
Koya Leadership Partners Adds Non-Profit Recruiting Expert
Executive search firm Koya Leadership Partners has added Michelle Bonoan as managing director, executive search. In her new role, she will lead the firm’s expansion in Los Angeles and help support its growing number of West Coast non-profit clients. With nearly 20 years of experience as a search consultant, Ms. Bonoan has led executive searches across a wide range of industries and functions. As
Seeking Leadership Diversity, More Companies Choose Female CFOs
Egon Zehnder has placed Kathryn Mikells as chief financial officer of consumer goods company Diageo PLC. She replaces CFO Deirdre Mahlan who is leaving her position to return to the U.S. as Diageo’s head of North America. “Ms. Mikells’ career trajectory over the last five years is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Scott A. Scanlon, founding chairman and CEO of
Eastman & Beaudine Recruits Sales Chief for Texas Rangers Affiliate
Executive recruiter Eastman & Beaudine has recruited Sam Torres as chief sales officer of the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Mr. Torres, who will oversee the team’s corporate partnership development, joins the Riders’ executive team after more than three years as a general manager for IMG College. He previously served as general manager
Wilton & Bain Adds HR Recruiting Veterans
Global search firm Wilton & Bain has appointed Tim Kemp and Chloe Watts as partners. Mr. Kemp, who joins the firm to lead HR search mandates, is an experienced HR and search professional who specializes in human resource searches across industries and covering HR disciplines from generalist roles to reward to talent management and beyond. Previously, he spent more
K. Russo Consulting Joins the Sanford Rose Network
Greenwich, CT-based boutique executive search firm K. Russo Consulting, Inc. has joined the Sanford Rose Associates Executive Search Network. Led by Karen Russo, K. Russo Consulting specializes in executive search and talent consulting throughout North, Latin and Central America. Their sister company, IIPE, based in Mexico, customizes research solutions through a team of multilingual search professionals. “Karen Russo is a world
ManpowerGroup Names American Express Global Talent Specialist As Director of Talent
Recruitment giant ManpowerGroup has named former American Express HR executive Jo Pursaill as its director of talent. With over 15 years’ experience, Ms. Pursaill is a proven leader in global talent development. She has an exceptional track record of developing and delivering global learning strategies within a large, complex matrix environment. Her areas of expertise include learning and development,
HR Executives Forecast Optimistic Hiring Plans
Confidence in the U.S. labor market continued to climb among HR professionals this year, with 69 percent reporting a confidence level not reported for six years. According to the just released ‘Jobs Outlook Survey’ from the Society for Human Resource Management, the forecast represents the highest level of optimism among HR professionals since the survey was launched in 2009.
Lloyd Executive Search Lands Crowdster CEO
Lloyd Executive Search has recruited Joe Ferraro as chief executive officer of Crowdster. Mr. Ferraro brings to the Crowdster team a long history of sales and marketing success, including 20 years in the telecommunications industry and over a decade working in business process outsourcing where he managed Fortune 50 companies. He has worked alongside non-profits in addition to
Heidrick & Struggles Snags Americas Leader From Rival
Heidrick & Struggles has added Ron Lumbra as region leader for its Americas region. In this role, he will lead a team of more than 350 partners, principals and associates serving clients across all service sectors. Following a brief period of transition, Torrey Foster, who has led the region since 2013, will assume full-time market responsibilities as a partner in
TWC Adds Former Spencer Stuart Recruiter As Canadian Search Hub Expands
TWC International Executive Search Limited, the Canadian-based affiliate of global executive search firm SpenglerFox, has named former Spencer Stuart recruiter Lisa Newey as senior director. In her new role at TWC, she will be responsible for developing and managing client relationships and assignments as well as candidate sourcing, recruitment and assessment, with a focus on financial services. Ms. Newey has
Newport Group Opens Office in Laguna Hills
Executive search and consulting firm The Newport Group has opened a new office in Laguna Hills, California. Managing the office is Newport’s executive vice president, Tom Chaparro, who joined the company as an executive search professional with 20 years’ experience in recruiting for the real estate and oil and gas industries, among others. Prior to joining
