Slayton Search Partners Announces Promotions
February 13, 2025 – Slayton Search Partners has announced made strategic promotions within its leadership. “These promotions reflect Slayton Search Partners’ commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and fostering leadership development within the organization,” the firm said. “The newly expanded leadership team will continue to drive the firm’s mission of delivering outstanding executive search solutions while pursuing strategic growth initiatives.”
John Nimesheim has been promoted to senior managing director, expanding his role after 26 years with the firm. In this position, he will oversee daily operations while spearheading initiatives to expand the firm’s executive search capabilities. His focus will encompass operational excellence and strategic growth while continuing to deliver exceptional results for clients across public, private, and private equity-backed organizations.
Molly Hull has been promoted to managing director and executive vice president, becoming the first woman to join the firm’s core executive leadership team. Ms. Hull, who joined Slayton in 2008, will oversee search operations and performance, leading the candidate development and research teams. In this expanded role, she will focus on optimizing firm performance and creating advancement opportunities for the organization.
John Ratliff has been promoted to executive vice president, with the firm recognizing his commercial abilities and dedication to client service. Since joining the firm in 2018, he has led searches across consumer and industrial practices for Fortune 500, family-owned, and private equity-backed organizations.
Representing a Pivotal Moment
“These leadership appointments represent a pivotal moment in our firm’s evolution,” said Richard Slayton, managing partner and CEO. “John Nimesheim, Molly Hull, and John Ratliff have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities and deep commitment to our clients’ success. Their expanded roles will strengthen our ability to serve clients while positioning us for continued growth. I’m particularly proud to welcome Molly as the first woman to join our executive leadership team, marking an important milestone in our firm’s history.”
Executive Search in 2024: Challenges, Trends, and Hopes for a Hiring Resurgence in 2025
For many search firms in almost all industry segments, 2024 has been a tough year. There are many reasons for the recent downturn, and some firms have experienced a dip in revenues for even longer, according to Tim Tolan, founder, chairman, and managing partner of The Tolan Group. “Lots of changes are on the horizon for 2025 on the hiring front, and search firms are waiting with bated breath while hiring decisions are on hold, and draft fee agreements are (still) sitting in DocuSign waiting to be signed,” he said. “Decisions are dragging, as are active search engagements, as hiring managers and leaders struggle to make hiring decisions in the environment, we are all trying to navigate.”
In the Hunt Scanlon 2024 Executive Recruiting State of the Industry Report, the numbers reflected a double-digit downturn in demand for executive recruiting, with the private equity sector being the most affected. “We’ve seen and experienced that firsthand, but we feel positive changes are on the horizon,” Mr. Tolan said.
Established in 1985, Slayton Search Partners focuses on finding executive talent in the consumer, retail, financial services, insurance, industrial, and private equity sectors. The firm said that its network of industry leaders invariably leads it to opportunities outside of its core practice areas. Evolving markets, emerging technologies, and changing consumer habits have impacted all industries, said the search firm, and that the need for strong executive talent is far-reaching.
In 2022, professional services firm The Judge Group acquired Slayton Search Partners. The Judge Group is a provider of consulting, learning, and talent services with over 50 years of experience. The acquisition of Slayton Search Partners brings a retained executive search capabilities to Judge’s broad portfolio, the company said. “The acquisition of Slayton combines two leading providers of search services with decades of experience and expertise,” said Marty Judge, CEO.
Related: Why Soft Skills Still Rule the C-Suite in the Age of AI
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
