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Daily Newswire
Why Talent Is The Primary Success Lever in M&A Deal Making
Dealmakers say people matter. But when it comes to execution, most still overlook human capital where it counts. That is the main finding from The Say Versus Do Divide in M&A, a 2025 report from Mercer and the Transaction Advisors Institute. The study, based on insights from corporate development and HR leaders involved in more than 1,200
Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits CEO for Uplift Education
After a robust succession planning process led by the board and in partnership with global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates, Uplift Education has appointed Remy Washington as its next CEO beginning in January 2026. Longtime CEO Yasmin Bhatia will retire from her role at the end of December 2025. Dr. Washington, currently president of Uplift,
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 Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
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?
Solomon Page Launches AI Retained Executive Search Practice
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has launched a retained executive search practice dedicated to artificial intelligence leadership. The practice is led by managing director Ryan Kellner. The practice partners with organizations in financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and venture-backed technology to place chief AI officers, heads of AI, heads of data science, and
Ema Raises $77 Million in Funding
Enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation as companies look for tools that can deliver measurable outcomes across core business functions. As organizations seek to automate more complex workflows in areas such as HR, IT, and finance, investors are increasingly backing platforms designed to operate at enterprise scale rather than remain stuck in
The Counteroffer Dilemma: What Candidates Need to Know Before Resigning
Landing the job offer of your dreams should be the culmination of a successful search process. But for many professionals, one of the most difficult parts comes after the offer is accepted: telling a current employer they are leaving. A recent report from The Bridger Group examines how companies respond when valued employees resign and
True Launches Boutique Search Practice for Venture-Backed Companies
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Venture Studios, a boutique executive search practice serving founders and venture-backed companies across AI infrastructure, HardTech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, Fintech, healthcare, and life sciences, among others. “True Venture Studios is our way of reasserting our roots, giving founders a dedicated team that moves at their speed and fights for the
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Keys to Finding Top Senior Talent in 2024
Getting exceptional senior leadership talent on board is one of the most critical activities for any ambitious organization in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. However, the global skills gap makes sourcing ideal C-suite executives who align with organizational capabilities and culture a considerable challenge, according to a new report from The Taplow Group. “This gives
StepStone Selected by Alzchem
StepStone, a London-based provider of human capital management solutions, has announced that Germany-based AlzChem, a spin-off of Evonik Industries AG, has chosen StepStone’s talent management solution to maintain performance and skills management processses for its senior staff. Besides AlzChem, other major StepStone clients in the chemical industry include Akzo Nobel, Altana, BASF, Bayer, Evonik Degussa,
Alexander Mann Solutions Expands Staff
Alexander Mann Solutions, a London-based RPO provider, has added Gabriela Skeoch as global head of technology consulting and Tim Curtis as head of business intelligence. Ms. Skeoch's role will be to develop this as a standalone consulting offering and to ensure that technology strengthens and supports its recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions effectively. She previously
Only Third of Companies Offer Formal HR Leadership
Organizations that offer an HR Leadership Development Program (HRLDP) do so to feed the succession pipeline and/or to make HR more strategic, but few actually offer such a program, according to a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). Only 29 percent of respondents said their organization offers a formal HRLDP. Of those
The RightThing Selected by GoodYear
Global recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) provider The RightThing has been selected by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to provide recruiting and hiring support for its North American employee base. The RightThing will provide sourcing and recruiting tools that will enhance Goodyear’s recruiting process and help streamline its talent acquisition operations. The RightThing also will
Online Job Demand Turns Positive
Online advertised vacancies rose by 169,000 to 3,464,800 in August, according to The Conference Board Help-Wanted Online Data Series (HWOL). Since April, online job demand is up by 300,000, with many of the largest states now showing stable trends following about two years of losses that began in May 2007. With the August data, there
R&L Associates Fills Post for Choi & Burns
R&L Associates has placed Gau Junnarkar, a former research associate with Russell Reynolds Associates in the New York, as vice president of research at Choi & Burns, within its global asset and wealth management group. The search was conducted by Rochelle Schumer, president and founder of R&L Associates. "It's not every day that you find
RSVP Group Adds Partner
RSVP Group AG has added Dr. Goetz von Kalckreuth as a partner in its healthcare business Europe sector. Dr. von Kalckreuth is an experienced healthcare specialist and a qualified physician (MD). Prior to joining RSVP, he was a partner for three years in the global life science practice of an international executive search firm Whitehead
Myers McRae Adds Director
Executive search firm Myers McRae (formerly Jon McRae & Associates) has added Jeannette B. Taylor as director of administrative services. Ms. Taylor joins the firm after working 24 years at Mercer University, serving first as a senior administrative secretary in the office of the president for nine years and then as the administrative assistant to
Coleman Lew & Associates Places CEO at LMC
Charlotte, NC-based Coleman Lew & Associates placed John A. Somerville as president and chief executive officer of Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation (LMC). Mr. Somerville formerly served as an executive with Dow Building Solutions North America. Thomas M. Brinkley, a partner Coleman Lew & Associates, led the assignment. Coleman Lew & Associates, founded in 1979, is a
AESC Adds Four New Member Firms
The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) has added Four Corners Group, Headlight International, Jo Fisher Executive and Waterhouse Executive Search Partners as its newest member firms. Four Corners Group, a Toronto-based executive search firm, was founded in 2007 by Kelly Farrell and Andrew Norrie. Four Corners Group’s partners execute executive level assignments in all
Prince Houston Group to Open Next Month
James Houston has joined Marylin Prince as a partner in her executive search firm based in New York, now renamed The Prince Houston Group. The firm will officially open in September. With Ms. Prince, Mr. Houston will share business development, execution and management of the boutique financial services firm that specializes in asset and wealth
Interview: Fairfield Partners Co-Founder Sees Client Urgency Key Driver to Industry Turnaround
Fairfield Partners is a Norwalk, Connecticut-based executive search firm specializing in technology and consumer products markets. Brian Curry co-founded Fairfield Partners with Eric Montgomery in July 2008. Mr. Curry has 20 years of corporate experience and five years of experience in executive search. Prior to entering the business, he was senior vice president of sales
Hudson Highland Posts 43 Percent Revenue Decline
Hudson Highland Group, Inc./(NASDAQ:HHGP) has posted second quarter 2009 revenues of $173.8 million, a decrease of 42.6 percent from $303.1 million a year ago. The company posted a net loss of $17.8 million, or $0.68 per basic and diluted share, compared with net income of $5.0 million, or $0.20 per basic and $0.19 per diluted
DHR Fills Post for Vestergaard Frandsen
Global executive search firm DHR International has placed Benoit Florin as technical director Asia at Vestergaard Frandsen. The position is based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Mr. Florin was plant manager of Rhodia Polyamide Shanghai, with eight years of experience in Asia Pacific. The search was led by Beryl Chu and Kim Chan with support from Kay
Hiring Pace to Accelerate in Coming Year
The economy has posed many challenges for businesses – including the need to make sure they are prepared for the upturn. According to a new survey, managers are planning to hire a combination of workers to support both long- and short-term initiatives. Fifty-three percent of employers expect to hire full-time employees over the next 12
America’s Job Exchange Partners with AccessisbleEmployment.org
America's Job Exchange, a provider of job search and online recruiting solutions, has formed a partnership with AccessibleEmployment.org, a national job board dedicated to including disabled employees in the workforce. The partnership coincides with the launch of a new 'Disability Exchange' offering job search and career-related services specific to this special community. “America's Job Exchange
RedLaw Opens Doors in London
Legal search firm Redlaw has been launched in London by recruiting veterans Jonathan Benjamin and Amy Hambleton. The firm will focus on senior lawyers, working with senior associates through to equity partners and will assist with team moves and mergers. “In our experience, there has never been a greater need for a legal recruitment company
Bernard Hodes Group’s SmartPost Extends Services to AfterCollege
SmartPost, an online job posting and sourcing product from Bernard Hodes Group, has expanded its partnership with AfterCollege, a college web site powering career networks on the Internet. Through the alliance, SmartPost customers will now be able to post jobs and internships to more than 7,000 academic career networks in engineering, finance, allied health, nursing,
HRsmart Issues No Fee Implementation Offering
Richardson, TX-based HRsmart, a global talent management software company, has issued a No Fee Implementation Offering for new and existing customers. HRsmart's solutions are designed to enhance human capital strategies, reduce costs, increase retention and employee productivity. “HRsmart continues to introduce new offerings to help current and prospective clients experience the true value of talent
Boyden Expands in Spain
Boyden has named Carlos Dafauce, Jose Lorca and Maximo Buch as partners in Spain. Mr. Buch and Mr. Lorca will be based in the firm's Valencia office and Mr. Dafauce will serve in Boyden Madrid. Mr. Dafauce, who most recently served as lead partner for the financial services practice in Spain for Korn/Ferry International, will
Heidrick & Struggles to Lead Search for Southern University System
Chicago-based Heidrick & Struggles International has been retained by Southern University System to find the college system's new president. Southern University System is a public system of higher education with five campuses in Louisiana. Heidrick & Struggles is a provider of senior-level executive search and leadership advisory services, including succession planning, executive assessment, talent retention
MRTed and eQuest for Alliance
MrTed Ltd, a global provider of talent acquisition solutions, has joined forces with eQuest, a provider of job posting distribution and job posting management. The partnership will enhance the global reach of MrTed’s enterprise customers with job posting delivery support. With this agreement, MrTed will be able to offer its customers seamless access to eQuest’s
Digby Morgan Adds to Executive Board
Digby Morgan, a U.K. headquartered specialist HR search and selection consultancy, has promoted Nicola Grimshaw to its executive board. Ms. Grimshaw, who joined the company in 2005, is based in the Digby Morgan’s London head office and is responsible for running the commerce, public sector and executive search teams in addition to overseeing the company’s
Robert Half Posts 93 Percent Profit Drop
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) has posted second quarter 2009 revenues of $749.9 million, a 39 percent decline from revenues of $1.2 billion in the second quarter of 2008. During the second quarter ended June 30, net income was $5.4 million, or 3 cents a share, a 93 percent decrease compared with earnings of $74.6 million,
Interview: Recruiting Chief Sees Gradual Improvement in Search Industry
The World Search Alliance, LLC (formerly World Search Group) is an international strategic group of independent, owner managed retained executive search firms with members in virtually every market around the world. Founded as the World Search Group in 1984 by Maurice Dennis of the U.K., Alain Touveron of France and Ekkehard Wille of Germany, the
ZRG Partners Adds Partner; Opens Chicago Office
ZRG Partners Inc., a Boston-based global provider of executive search and talent management solutions, has added Terry Clarke as managing director and head of the firm's insurance practice. Mr. Clarke will be opening a new Chicago office for the firm and will head up the continued expansion of its insurance industry practice. He comes to
Kenexa Forms Alliance with Qliktech
Kenexa Corporation, a global provider of business solutions for human resources, has formed a partnership with QlikTech, a business intelligence company. Under terms of the agreement, QlikTech's business analysis solution, QlikView, is integrated with Kenexa's global recruiting solution Kenexa Recruiter BrassRing (KRB) empowering KRB customers with a complete set of business analytics tools to measure
Morgan Samuels Places Exec at Nero
Morgan Samuels Company, a Los Angeles-headquartered management consulting firm specializing in executive recruitment, has placed Darren Davis as vice president of e-commerce at Nero Incorporated. Mr. Davis most recently served as vice president of product marketing at PriceGrabber.com where he worked for four years. Nero Incorporated is a digital media company with operations in Germany,
HVS Executive Search Appoints VP
HVS Executive Search has named Steve Finder as vice president. Mr. Finder will serve as a key member of the North America recruitment team and will be based in Southern California. Prior to joining HVS, he was a senior consultant in the hospitality and real estate practice of Ferguson Partners. Mr. Finder has 15 years
Foster’s Selects FutureStep
Futurestep, a provider of talent acquisition solutions, has been chosen by premium global drinks company Foster's Group Ltd. as a strategic talent partner in evolving Foster's recruitment function. Foster's new recruitment model will build on the current success of Foster's Careers and deliver a consistent global approach to help build a high performance culture. The
CEO Departures Surge 20 Percent in July
Turnover among chief executives soared to its highest level since June 2008, as 126 CEO departures were announced in July, according to a report released by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Despite the surge, CEO departures remain well below 2008 totals. The 126 July departures marked a 20 percent increase from the







