Frank Smeekes

Managing Partner

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Frank Smeekes serves as DHR International’s Managing Partner, Europe and is also a member of DHR International’s Board of Directors.

Frank’s clients include companies undergoing leadership transitions both geographically in new markets and products, as well as new competencies such as IoT, mobility, and big data. He specializes in the Industrial Space, specifically the automotive, and diversified manufacturing sectors, as well as in the Professional Services Practice focusing on data, consulting, turnaround, and supply chain. He is experienced in placing senior-executive positions (CEO, COO, President) and board assignments internationally, working with teams to find direct reports to these executives, specifically for supply chain, finance, technology, operations, marketing & sales roles.

Frank brings with him more than 30 years of professional services experience, 25 of those years include international search experience. He and his team have recruited over 400 successful placements globally in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Prior to joining DHR, Frank was a Managing Director at executive search firm, Russell Reynolds Associates responsible for the Automotive Practice based in Chicago. Earlier in his career, he worked predominantly in Management Consulting focused on Industrial markets globally. Some illustrative clients over the years include AT Kearney, Bain Capital, Booz Allen, Dana, DSM, Cooper Standard, General Motors, Grainger, Johnson Controls, Kleiner Perkins, Lear, Lease-plan, Robert Bosch, Garrett Systems, Platinum Equity, Honeywell, Tesla, Volkswagen, ThyssenKrupp, and Valspar.

Next to individual assignments, Frank has led global teams on some noteworthy assignments such as placing the CEO of Cargolux, CEO of Tesla, CEO of Tata Automotive, CEO of Mark IV, CEO code 3, and Board-members for Visteon, Lear, and Sheerwind.

Frank is native Dutch and fluent in English and German with a good understanding of French. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Business Administration.

Frank Smeekes

Managing Partner

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