Sinecure.ai Acquires Grace Blue Partnership

January 5, 2024 – Sinecure.ai, an SaaS software company dedicated to finding talent through AI and Large Language Model (LLM) innovation, has acquired London-based executive search firm Grace Blue Partnership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The most effective hiring outcomes in the future will involve a balance of advanced technology with human understanding and ingenuity,” said Joel Wright, CEO and co-founder of Sinecure.ai. “As the global market for talent continues to evolve, Sinecure.ai is meeting the increased demands of our customers with solutions that promise precision, speed and predictability. Our acquisition of Grace Blue Partnership leverages the strengths of both companies, and fortifies the ways organizations will find, engage and retain talent, with lasting effects.”

Grace Blue Partnership focuses on the marketing, media, and digital space. The firm has placed senior talent in this space globally, including CEOs, presidents, chief creative officers, heads of planning, chief financial officers, and chief marketing officers. With offices in New York, London, and Singapore, the Grace Blue team members are experts in their sectors – with many of the senior team having held executive-level positions in marketing and media businesses themselves. The firm’s clients include, Ford, Microsoft, SAP, Spotify, IPG, Omnicom, RSA Films, LEGO, Dentsu Aegis Network, Mother, Havas, and Coca-Cola.

“A Sinecure.ai customer since the first major product release in June 2022, Grace Blue has utilized its suite of generative AI and LLM based solutions to deliver results for their client base around the world,” said Sinecure.ai.

“The combination of technology, strategic thinking, and a commitment to building strong relationships is a potent recipe for success in the ever-changing landscape of executive search,” said Jay Haines, global CEO of Grace Blue Partnership. “Bringing Grace Blue’s industry expertise and proficiency together with Sinecure’s AI-powered technology results in a next generation firm uniquely positioned to provide our clients with an expanded level of service that now delivers exceptional talent across a much broader range of roles and career grades.

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Sinecure’s October announcement appointing technology and advertising industry veteran Wenda Harris Millard to chairman of the board. Related, Mr. Haines will take a seat on the board while Grace Blue’s chairman and founder, Ian Priest, will step down from his role at the firm and on the Sinecure board.

The newly combined entity creates a global roster of clients across multiple business verticals and includes such as the Interpublic Group, Havas, Wasserman Media Group, All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon), Publicis Groupe, Sony PlayStation, Endeavour Group, Lego, and Amazon among them.

Recent Deals

Acquisitions and consolidations continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. And it’s not just executive search firms. Technology-based outfits have also been in on the action. Here is a sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Russell Reynolds Associates has acquired Savage Partners, a boutique executive search firm that serves growth equity and private equity-backed software companies across North America. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Intrepid Investment Bankers acted as the strategic advisor to Russell Reynolds Associates in the transaction. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, a Connecticut-based human capital M&A advisory firm, served as the strategic advisor to Savage Partners. “Savage Partners is a trophy property and their acquisition by Russell Reynolds Associates will be beneficial to clients across the tech space as the sector continues to evolve with its insatiable demand for senior-level leadership talent,” said Scott A. Scanlon, CEO of Hunt Scanlon Ventures, based in Greenwich, Conn. “Bringing Savage Partners on board will further deepen and enhance Russell Reynolds Associates’ core leadership advisory work and capabilities in growth-oriented technology companies,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates.

The Christopher Group, a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has completed a letter of intent to acquire Six Summit Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development firm. “We are extremely excited to continue to innovate and add value for our current and prospective clients,” said Nathaniel Schiffer, CEO of The Christopher Group. “This acquisition not only broadens our capabilities but also reinforces our dedication to assisting our clients in nurturing effective leadership and fostering positive change within their organizations. Equally important this acquisition will provide a physical presence in the mountain and western regions from which to build and nurture critical relationships.”

Corsica Partners has acquired Alora Search Partners and appointed its founding partner, Mary Langan as managing director and cybersecurity practice lead. “Alora Search Partners has developed a respected reputation serving public, VC and PE backed software, robotics, and cybersecurity firms,” said Dan Veitkus, managing partner and CEO of Corsica Partners. “Under Mary’s leadership, Alora has carved out a place among the most admired executive search boutiques and I’m delighted to welcome the Alora team, their clients, and candidates into the Corsica Partners’ family. With this acquisition, we extend our capacity to deliver exceptional C-suite talent across every major function of the enterprise.”

Leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has acquired Nvolv, a boutique leadership consulting firm serving CEOs and C-suite executives of global businesses. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Our acquisition of Nvolv represents a powerful opportunity for us to bolster our client offerings and further strengthen our preeminent position as leaders in C-suite leadership advisory services,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates. “Bob and the entire Nvolv team have an enviable track record of building deep relationships and driving extraordinary results at the most senior levels of organizations, and we look forward to joining forces to increase the depth of both firms’ impact in advising and coaching C-suite executives, preparing the next generation of senior executives, supporting new leader integration, de-risking CEO succession, and aligning top teams to deliver on their transformation agendas.”

ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has acquired Helbling & Associates, an executive search firm focused on real estate, facilities, and construction. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The addition of the Helbling team to the ZRG family will bolster our growing real estate practice,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “We’ll have more resources for our clients, including support in the construction sector of the real estate industry. We are very excited to bring even greater depth and breadth of expertise to the companies we serve.” Helbling & Associates, based in Wexford, PA, was established in 1992 by Tom Helbling to meet the recruiting needs of construction contractors and real estate developers. As clients began referring the firm to their professional networks, Helbling’s client base expanded to entities with significant real estate assets and facilities management needs. Today, Helbling’s clients include institutions of education, healthcare, and research, as well as cultural and community organizations. The firm has completed search assignments in 43 states.

Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has acquired German executive search firm Delta Management Consultants GmbH. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are pleased to be acquiring such a longstanding firm with such exceptional colleagues,” said Richard Moore, CEO. “Together we will create even further value for both our clients. Today clients need effective, sustainable, and diverse leadership more than ever. Acquiring and improving leadership is the greatest challenge organizations face – and the only way they can sustainably outperform.” Founded in 1983, Delta Management Consultants has for over 30 years assisted clients in areas such as executive search, leadership advisory, management consulting, and more. Anja Schelte, J. Carlos Fernandes, and Stefan Koop, managing partners of Delta Management Consultants GmbH, said: “We look forward to a future together with Mercuri Urval. Our employees benefit from the company’s resources and global presence. Our clients can continue to count on the proven expertise and commitment of us, their longstanding advisors, but now with the added value and expanded capabilities that this strategic acquisition offers.”

Related: Hunt Scanlon Media Launches M&A Advisory Service for Recruiters

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media