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Vardis Finds PE CEOs Under Pressure, But Optimistic
The Private Equity CEO Report from Vardis, based on a survey of 1,200 chief executives of PE-backed companies, paints a picture of resilience paired with constraint. Seventy percent of CEOs say company performance is “as expected” or better, yet exit activity remains muted, with 2025 tracking as the slowest year for PE exits since 2017, despite a
Why Executive Hiring in 2026 Must Be More Strategic Than Ever
As the calendar turned to 2026, one question looms large: how will you ensure your next leadership team and your next leadership hire drives strategy, culture, and growth rather than simply filling a gap? With complexity, transformation, and succession pressures mounting, relying on who happens to be looking to join your team is no longer
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.
The Christopher Group Tapped by MITRE for Head of Total Rewards Search
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has been selected by MITRE to lead in its search for a head of total rewards. The search is being led by managing partner Ayla Maloney and recruiting director Kat Kilkenney. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for a total rewards leader who wants to make
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?
True Establishes Dedicated Private Credit Practice
Global executive talent platform True has launched a dedicated private credit practice, led by Rick Bank, managing director and head of the private credit and private equity practices. The launch comes as private credit enters a significant credit cycle, with 67 percent of portfolio managers citing greater competition and 64 percent citing defaults and credit losses as
Inside the Decisions That Shape Hiring and Careers
Hiring and leadership decisions continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping both individual careers and organizational performance. As companies navigate tighter talent markets, rapid technological change, and evolving expectations around leadership, greater attention is being placed on how executives identify high performers, assess potential, and make decisions about who is ready for greater
ON Partners Recruits Board Members for Artisan Industries
Partners Seth Harris and Shawn Oglesbee of ON Partners have assisted in the recruitment of Stephen S. Schwartz and Gary A. Doyon as new members of the board of directors of Artisan Industries. The addition of two independent directors strengthens the company’s governance and strategic leadership, as Artisan expands its core technologies into high-growth markets, including specialty chemicals, PFAS removal, drug
Reffett Associates Seeking Vice President of Development for the Army Historical Foundation
WA-based Reffett Associates was recently retained by the Army Historical Foundation to recruit its next vice president of development. The Army Historical Foundation is the non-profit organization that supports the National Museum of the United States Army, which honors the service and sacrifice of American soldiers throughout the Army’s history. The vice president of development will play
DHR Global Expands Middle East and Africa Presence
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Michael Patrick Okumu-Ringa as managing partner, Middle East and Africa. Based in Dubai, he will lead the expansion of DHR’s regional business, building its team and strengthening its executive search and leadership advisory capabilities while connecting regional clients with international talent in partnership with DHR’s London office. “The
Talentfoot Grows HR Practice
Talentfoot Executive Search has expanded with the addition of Gabe Peacock as associate partner, helping drive the continued growth of the firm’s human resources practice. “With Gabe joining the team, Talentfoot is continuing to expand our ability to support clients in finding HR leaders who can solve complex people challenges, strengthen culture, scale people operations,
Artico Search Founders Reflect on Five Years of Growth and Lessons Learned
Five years after its founding, Artico Search has grown from a two-person venture into a boutique executive search firm serving venture capital, private equity-backed, and publicly traded companies. Founded in 2021 by Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, CEO and co-founder, and Matt Comyns, president and co-founder, the firm has built its business around emerging technology, with particular depth
Caldwell Sells IQTalent Partners to WinMil for $4.7 Million
Toronto-based Caldwell has completed the sale of substantially all of the net operating assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, IQTalent Partners, Inc., to WinMil, Inc. WinMil will continue to operate the business under the IQTalent name and brand. In 2020, Caldwell acquired IQTalent to broaden its service offerings into technology-enabled recruiting solutions at the professional level.
WittKieffer Selected by Park University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Park University to lead in its search for a new president. Consultant Alejandra Gillette-Teran, principal Melody Rose and associate Sarah Seavey are spearheading the assignment for the search firm. Reporting to an engaged board of trustees, the president will be expected to grow the University into the future. The president provides leadership in
NPAG Leading Executive Director Search for SEAL
Executive search firm NPAG was recently retained by SEAL (Sobrato Early Academic Language) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Allison Kupfer Poteet, managing partner, is leading the search along with Alejandra Villa, managing associate. The organization seeks a strong enterprise leader with strategic and financial acumen, experience leading through change, and genuine credibility
August Leadership Appoints Senior Advisor in Tokyo
August Leadership has named Paul Dupuis as senior advisor in Tokyo. “We are delighted to have Paul join August Leadership,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “His experience will add significant depth as we aim to strengthen our presence and relationships in Japan, alongside our broader APAC capabilities.” With more than 30 years of leadership
C-Suite Volatility Reshapes Talent Market, Creating Expanding Role for Search Firms
Crist|Kolder Associates’ latest 2026 Mid-Year Volatility Report provides a detailed look at leadership trends across 665 Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies. Tracking executive changes through July 31, the research examines CEO, CFO, and COO turnover, career paths, diversity, and the emergence of new leadership positions as organizations adapt to an increasingly complex business environment.
The McCormick Group Completes Searches for Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
The McCormick Group, an Arlington, VA-based executive recruitment firm, has assisted in the recruitment of Rodney Whitlock, Debbie Curtis, Katie Waldo, and Maddie News to the federal health policy practice of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor. The search was led by principal David
Krauthamer & Associates Selected by Regional Transportation District for CEO Search
Krauthamer & Associates (K&A) has been retained by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, CO, to lead in its search for a new CEO. “RTD seeks a CEO who can continue strengthening the agency’s fiscal foundation, drive long‑range funding solutions, and guide RTD through budget challenges while advancing innovation, equity, transit service delivery and the
BrainWorks Grows Legal Practice
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has named Rachel Chandler as director of legal recruitment. “With nearly two decades of experience spanning law, legal recruitment, and business development, Rachel brings an exceptional depth of expertise and a unique perspective to our team,” Brainworks said in a LinkedIn post. “From practicing corporate law to leading legal recruiting teams,
Boyden Forms Alliance with South African firm Tuesday Consulting
Boyden has formed a partnership with South African firm Tuesday Consulting, an executive search and advisory firm helping clients drive growth through sustainable human capital resourcing practices. The partnership will be led by seasoned industry executives Wendy Spalding and Tsholofelo Nketane, along with a team of nine professionals from Tuesday Consulting. “Partnering with Tuesday Consulting represents an
Leadership in Uncertain Times: How Executives Adapt
Leadership has always required navigating change, but today’s executives operate in an environment where geopolitical developments, economic uncertainty, and evolving market expectations can quickly reshape business priorities. This places renewed attention on how leaders set direction, strengthen organizational resilience and prepare their businesses for an uncertain future. According to the latest Kestria Global Leadership Barometer, geopolitical
Excel Search & Advisory Leading Search for Next WNBA Commissioner
The WNBA has begun the search for its next commissioner as the league prepares for a leadership transition at the end of the year. The NBA has retained Excel Search & Advisory, formerly Nolan Partners, to identify a successor to Cathy Engelbert, according to The Athletic. The assignment comes as the league continues to experience
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for Wabash College
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has placed Tyler J. Wade as dean for enrollment management at Wabash College. Mr. Wade, a 2012 Wabash graduate, has served as interim dean since June. This follows a nationwide search led by the firm’s president Chris Bingley. “One of the things that made him stand out in the field
Leathwaite Continues Partnership with St Marylebone School
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite is continuing its long-standing partnership with St Marylebone School in London, supporting students as they prepare for the next stages of their academic and professional journeys. The firm said the program is part of its community engagement efforts and reflects its commitment to social mobility and widening access to opportunity. St
Hunt Scanlon Media and Simsola AI Launch Survey on the Last Mile of Executive Search
Executive search firms are under growing pressure to bring greater consistency and transparency to how finalists are evaluated and recommendations are made. As AI and new technology move deeper into the search process, firms are also rethinking how interview feedback is captured, how candidates are compared, and where experienced consultant judgment should carry the most
Investigative Diligence Moves Earlier in Executive Search
Executive hiring decisions increasingly carry reputational, financial, and governance consequences that extend well beyond a candidate’s resume. As a result, boards, investors, and search committees are placing greater emphasis on understanding the broader context behind an executive’s track record before making a final decision. That shift is giving investigative diligence a more prominent role in
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Spirax Group’s Electric Thermal Solutions Division
Carpenter Legal Search, Inc. has recruited Matthew Simonds as general counsel of the Electric Thermal Solutions (ETS) division of Spirax Group, a global industrial engineering company. “Matt stood out throughout the search process because of his combination of legal sophistication, strong business judgment, and ability to serve as a true strategic partner to leadership,” said Lori Carpenter,
Kincannon & Reed Assists Stokes Seeds with Chief Commercial Officer Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has helped to recruit Andy Paston as chief commercial officer of Stokes Seeds, a leading North American supplier of vegetable seed serving commercial growers across the United States and Canada. “Andy brings a strong combination of agricultural expertise and commercial leadership,”
Chartwell Partners Recruits President and CEO for Eagle Bancorp
Dallas, TX-based executive search firm Chartwell Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stephen Curley as president and chief executive officer of Eagle Bancorp, Inc., the Bethesda-based holding company for EagleBank, one of the largest community banks in the Washington, D.C. area. The appointment followed an extensive board evaluation and search of internal and external candidates.
A Look at How HR Teams Can Implement Successful Employee Retention Strategies
Employee retention has become an increasing priority in the current business climate. While human resource teams generally take center stage in the implementation of retention strategies, the role of executive leadership cannot be overemphasized, according to a recent report from Talento. “Success for HR initiatives and messages across the company requires strong executive support,” the
BLG Executive Search Opens New Office in Switzerland
BLG Executive Search has opened an office Zug, Switzerland and tapped Raphael Wyss to manage it. Mr. Wyss is a Swiss citizen and has many years’ experience in human resources management and consulting. “Just three years after starting out in 2011, we now are one of the top five specialists in Europe for filling leading
Martin Partners Completes Search for Wheels, Inc.
Executive search firm Martin Partners has recruited Glenn O’Brien to the position of director, national accounts at Wheels, Inc. Prior to joining Wheels, Mr. O’Brien was vice president, supply chain services at Hutton Communications Inc. Wheels is a large-scale commercial fleet leasing and management company. Chicago-headquartered Martin Partners provides executive search services to a wide
Buck Consultants Adds New Principal
Buck Consultants, a Xerox company and provider of human resource and benefits consulting, has appointed Lori Black as a new principal and national health and productivity practice leader for Voluntary Benefits Integrated Services (VBIS). Ms. Black will be developing solutions across multiple disciplines including health and welfare, benefits administration, and retirement. She previously spent more
Kincannon & Reed Adds Managing Director
Kincannon & Reed has added Carlos Salvador as managing director in Buenos Aires. With an international career as a senior executive in agribusinesses and agricultural associations throughout Latin America, Mr. Salvador most recently was general manager and vice president of Becker Underwood, Argentina. Previous positions include director-level positions with Aventis CropScience, AgrEvo, and Hoechst AG.
Digby Morgan Names Head of Interim Business
Digby Morgan, a U.K. headquartered specialist in HR search and selection consultancy, has appointed Nicola Andrews to manage its interim business. Ms. Andrews was formerly the head of talent, development and acquisition at LCH.CLearnet, an independent clearing house that serves the major international exchanges. “Our mantra has always been that we are a business run
Caldwell Partners Finds CEO for Manta Media
Executive search firm The Caldwell Partners International Inc. has placed John A. Swanciger as the new chief executive officer of Manta Media, Inc. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, managing partner, venture capital practice, completed the search. Mr. Swanciger served as chief commercial officer of Switchfly, Inc. Manta helps small businesses profit, connect and grow through the largest online
Corporate Resource Services Acquires Alar Staffing
Corporate Resource Services, Inc. has acquired Alar Staffing. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The Alar Staffing client base fits nicely into our existing business throughout our national footprint,” said John P. Messina, chief executive officer for Corporate Resource Services. “Alar has three locations that generate over $30 million in business and brings
Alder Koten Grows Global Sustainability and Diversity Practice
Alder Koten has added Yady Ibarra to lead its global sustainability and diversity practice. Ms. Ibarra joins the firm as a partner and will be splitting her time between the firm's offices in New York City and Bogota. She will be involved in executive search work focused on board members, CEOs and senior-level executives as
Raines International Names Managing Director
New York City-based Raines International Inc. has promoted Shami Anand to managing director. Ms. Anand has spearheaded the growth of the firm’s procurement and supply chain practice in addition to supporting the finance, general management, and human resources practices. She brings extensive corporate experience including 18 years at PepsiCo in its finance and global procurement
Machlowitz Consultants to Lead President Search for PENCIL
Executive recruiter Machlowitz Consultants, Inc. has been selected by PENCIL to lead in its search for a new president. Richard D. Burns will serve as interim executive director until the position is filled. Founded in 1995, PENCIL is a leader in creating innovative models of ongoing collaboration between business and public schools. Machlowitz Consultants is
RiseSmart Secures $11 Million in Funding
RiseSmart, a provider of next-generation outplacement solutions, has secured $11 million in funding led by new investor Accel-KKR. Series A investor Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) also participated in this financing round. The investment will enable the company to rapidly expand its sales and marketing organizations to build marketshare, enhance and differentiate its next-generation cloud-based outplacement
Harvey Nash Names Head of Global CIO Recruiting & Advisory Business
Harvey Nash Group, a global provider of professional recruitment and outsourcing services, has appointed Dr. Jonathan Mitchell as non-executive head of its global CIO executive search and advisory practice. Dr. Mitchell has a 30-year career in technology that includes global IT roles at BP and GlaxoSmithKline; he was most recently CIO at Rolls-Royce. “Our global
IIC Partners Adds Three New Members
IIC Partners has added Per Ardua Associates, Conroy Ross Partners and Athena Executive Search and Consulting as its newest member firms. Headquartered in London, Per Ardua Associates specializes in the financial services sector and was founded in 2008 by Simon Hearn, CEO. Founded in 1994 by Jim Conroy, Conroy Ross Partners is a search and
Buffkin Group Completes Search for Synapse Healthcare
Executive search firm The Buffkin Group has placed George Sun as the new senior vice president of sales and business development at Synapse Healthcare. Mr. Sun formerly served as VP of sales at Intelligent InSites Corporation. Synapse Healthcare provides complete neurological care including surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. The Buffkin Group is an executive search
ManpowerGroup Names Insider CEO
ManpowerGroup, a provider of workforce solutions, has appointed Jonas Prising to serve as the company’s fourth chief executive officer. Mr. Prising is currently ManpowerGroup president and executive vice president for the Americas and Southern Europe. Past CEO Jeffrey Joerres will assume the role of executive chairman. “Jonas has successfully led several of ManpowerGroup’s key businesses
David Barrett Partners Adds Partner in NY Office
David Barrett Partners (DBP) has added John Knapp as a partner in its New York office. Mr. Knapp will be working closely with the existing DBP team to build the firm's recruiting presence in the U.S. and international asset and wealth management sectors. He will split his time between New York and Boston. Mr. Knapp
Spencer Stuart and WomenCorporateDirectors Ink Partnership
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart and WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) have formed a new partnership for North America – creating an alliance to serve board members and advance best practices in corporate governance. WCD is a group of 2,500+ directors serving on more than 3,500 boards with 60 chapters on six continents. Spencer Stuart will work with
Koltin Consulting Group Fills Position for Pritzker Family Office
Koltin Consulting Group, a provider of management consulting and executive search services, has placed Judith Meguire as vice president / director of tax at Pritzker Family Office, LLC. The search was led by managing director Geremy Cepin. Ms. Meguire was most recently a tax partner in the Chicago office of Baker Tilly. Pritzker Family Office,
CEB Acquires Talent Neuron
CEB, a member-based advisory company, has acquired Talent Neuron, a provider of market intelligence technology tools based on large-scale data analytics. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. By combining Talent Neuron’s talent data asset with CEB’s insight, best practice and predictive science on talent acquisition, assessment and development, the company is positioned to
Barracuda Group Creates New Private Equity Division
Barracuda Group has established a new private equity division which will be headed by Anthony Bull. Mr. Bull has over 16 years’ experience as a private equity investor with 3i, LDC, Mitsui & Co and most recently with Gresham Private Equity, where he sat on the investment committee and was co-head of the firm’s London
Kaye/Bassman Names Partners in Construction & Real Estate Practice
Kaye/Bassman International Corp.’s construction & real estate practice, a provider of executive search and recruitment within the commercial construction and real estate sectors, has named Ashley Richards and Luke Peters as managing partners. Ms. Richards joined Kaye/Bassman in 2010 and is responsible for client development and candidate recruitment for the firm's Southwest region. Mr. Peters
Dice Adds Twitter’s VP of HR to Board
Dice Holdings, Inc., a career website for technology and engineering professionals, has added Brian Schipper, vice president of human resources at Twitter, to its board of directors. Prior to joining Twitter, Mr. Schipper was the chief human resources officer at Groupon, where he oversaw the HR and administration functions globally and was integral to building
Koenig & Associates Retained by Suncorp
Koenig & Associates has been selected by Suncorp Valuations to lead a search for a new director of human resources. Over the course of a 30-plus year history, Suncorp Valuations has worked with businesses and investors to ensure investments and acquisitions are valued and assessed correctly. Koenig and Associates an independent human resources and organizational
Alexander Hughes Adds to NY Office
Alexander Hughes has added Susan J. Landon as managing partner of the New York office and head of the firm's professional services practice. Ms. Landon has over 25 years of executive recruiting experience, gained at several global executive search firms, including Russell Reynolds Associates, Korn Ferry and DHR International, where she was the head of
Lonergan Partners Fills Sales Post for Wurldtech Security Technologies
Executive search firm Lonergan Partners has placed David Weier as vice president of global sales at Wurldtech Security Technologies. The search was led by Dotty Schaffer. Mr. Weier previously served as VP, Americas sales for Solera Networks. “David’s reputation as a smart, strategic, high energy, winning sales executive makes him an ideal contributor for Wurldtech,”
SilkRoad Names Chief Revenue Officer
SilkRoad, a provider of cloud-based talent management solutions, has named Paul O’Donnell as chief revenue officer. Mr. O’Donnell brings more than 30 years of experience in building profitable sales pipelines and has conducted business throughout Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, and the Americas. He formerly served as president of OpenText Americas where he was instrumental in driving
Signium Expands in China
Signium International has added a new presence in China to enhance its executive search and leadership presence across the Asia Pacific region. The parent organization of Signium Greater China was founded in Hong Kong in 1986 and employs around 50 people in four offices: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The firm has placed candidates
Diversified Search Retained by Teach for America
Diversified Search has been selected by Teach for America to lead in its search for new executive director for the D.C. region. Diversified president Dale Jones, said: “Diversified's philosophy of going ‘beyond conventional wisdom’ to find great leaders aligns with TFA and its mission. We look forward to applying this way of thinking as we
Staffing 360 Solutions to Acquire Poolia UK
Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., a provider of staffing services in IT, financial, accounting, healthcare, and cybersecurity industries, has said that its wholly owned U.K. subsidiary, Staffing 360 Solutions (UK) Limited, is acquiring the business and assets of Poolia UK Ltd., a subsidiary of Poolia AB. Poolia UK operates its professional staffing services from its office
Wheless Partners Strengthens Financial Services Practice Group
Executive search firm Wheless Partners has added Jodie L. Jiles, Robert L. McMillan, and Rich Phillips to its financial services practice group. Collectively, they bring enterprises operating within the investment and retail banking, insurance, brokerage, municipal underwriting, private equity, foreign exchange trading, venture capital, structured finance and financial data security to the firm. Mr. Jiles,
Corporate Resources Services Acquires Staff Management Group
Corporate Resource Services, Inc. has acquired New Jersey-based Staff Management Group. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. John P. Messina, chief executive officer for CRS, said: “Dennis Omahen, managing partner of Staff Management Group, and his management team bring many years of experience to CRS and we plan on leveraging their business practices
