Russell Reynolds Associates Acquires Zygos Partnership

December 14, 2017 – Russell Reynolds Associates has acquired London-based Zygos Partnership, a U.K.-based board and CEO advisory firm. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Founded by Julia Budd in 2002, Zygos Partnership specializes in the appointment of chief executives, chairmen, chief financial officers and non-executive directors for listed companies or the equivalent privately, family or mutually owned businesses.

“Zygos and Russell Reynolds are a natural fit with shared values and a relentless passion for serving clients,” said Clarke Murphy, Reynolds’ chief executive officer. “This combination complements our strategy to expand our existing relationships in the board advisory and C-suite space. With board performance and accountability under intense scrutiny, our clients need help with governance and strategy, as well as with finding global talent.”

Mr. Murphy said the acquisition is an important step in strengthening the firm’s position in a key area of its board advisory service. “We will add exceptional depth of experience in guiding boards around multiyear succession planning, coupled with strong sector insights provided by the wider firm,” he said.

Ms. Budd said she and her team were pleased to be joining Russell Reynolds. “In combining our two businesses, we have taken the time to get to know each other well,” she said. “We are confident that Russell Reynolds’ partnership culture, professionalism and approach to business and clients is very similar to our own. For our clients, we believe that this combination will bring additional resources and international reach while preserving the expertise and discretion that they expect.”

Luke Meynell, Zygos’ managing partner, said the acquisition in many ways expands his firm’s horizons. “We will be based in the U.K., but will have a comprehensive ability to deliver internationally,” he said. “All of our clients want to ensure that they have access to outstanding leaders, wherever those individuals are based. The current and future clients of both firms can be confident that this combination will provide them with that capability underpinned by the highest levels of service.”

Recent M&A activity

Acquisitions continue to make big news in the executive search industry. Here’s a sampling taken from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

DES Recruitment has merged with U.K.-based Miramar Global Executive Search. John Hodge, founder and managing partner of DES Recruitment, will become managing partner for Miramar. Miramar Global has forged a reputation serving U.S. multinationals in the Americas as well as across EMEA and Asia.

Gibson Consultants, a recruiter that serves healthcare payers and digital health companies, has merged with its affiliate, Enterprise Recruiters, a recruiting firm also focused on digital health companies. The combined company, which will keep the Gibson Consultants name, has also opened an additional office in Wilmington, NC.

Asset management executive recruiters Grace Point Partners and BraddockMatthews have merged. The joint firm will continue to serve clients across traditional and alternative asset management, including hedge fund, private equity, endowment and foundation, and family office organizations. The firm will be known as BraddockMatthews and have offices in Manhattan and Boston.

DHR International has acquired boutique executive search firm COOPER+LOGAN. With the addition of two new managing partners, the acquisition strengthens DHR’s retail/fashion industry and functional expertise. COOPER+LOGAN, founded in 2008, specializes in the selection of senior-level design, merchandising and creative services candidates for “brand-centric” clients. 

Global recruiter Ward Howell International has acquired Curran Partners, a Stamford, CT-based executive search firm with a concentration in the life sciences, among other sectors it serves. Founded in 1989, Curran Partners became the U.S. member of ECI Group, an international network, in 2003.

Global financial recruiting specialist Options Group acquired MCL Search Ltd, an executive search firm based in London specializing in electronic markets (trading and distribution), prime brokerage/ clearing and financial trading technology with a focus on currencies and fixed income. Founding partners, Maria Aldous and Charlotte Battisti, bring a combined 25 years in executive search.

Focus Search Partners (FSP), the executive search division of talent solutions provider Vaco, has acquired the Dallas, TX-based recruiters Taylor Winfield. With the acquisition, FSP gains a team of professionals with enterprise operating experience across industries including Internet/ digital media, technology/ SaaS software, consumer/ retail/ food service and business services.

ZRG Partners acquired life sciences specialist HM Long Global Partners. As part of the asset acquisition agreement, Helga Long, formerly the chair and CEO of HM Long/ RSVP Group, joined ZRG Partners. Ms. Long is considered one of the world’s top executive search professionals in life sciences.

Jordan Search Consultants, a recruiting firm focused on the healthcare, executive and higher education sectors, acquired Health Search New England (HSNE), a search firm specializing in the recruitment of healthcare providers throughout the Northeast. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Acertitude acquired Los Angeles-based Olive Avenue Search Partners. Olive Avenue’s founders, Gwen Sabo and Joann Maciejewski, bring deep expertise in the development of research capabilities, training and development, and identifying and engaging top talent. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ohio-headquartered Torch Group acquired Selker Leadership, a search firm that places candidates in the technology and software fields. Selker Leadership’s president, Gregory L. Selker, will join Torch Group as senior vice president and search operations leader, overseeing the firm’s search practice, including research and candidate development.

Buffkin/ Baker recently merged New York-based WTW Associates into its expanding executive recruiting platform. WTW, a talent provider focused on the media, entertainment, technology and law industries, will integrate its operations into the Buffkin/ Baker New York office. Warren Wasp becomes a partner in the firm, and will head its entertainment/ media practice.

U.K.-based Hydrogen Group acquired Argyll Scott for £3.3 million. Together, the combined firms will deliver recruitment services across multiple functions, industries and countries. The acquisition allows Hydrogen to accelerate international growth plans and benefit from greater strength and depth in the London market.

Walter James recently acquired Euromedica Executive Search Limited. Walter James operates in the life sciences sector with a focus on global enabling units. The acquisition positions the firm to offer end-to-end specialist service across the entire life sciences value chain. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media