Spencer Stuart Elects Managing Partner and Chair
June 4, 2024 – Spencer Stuart has elected Jordan Brugg as its next managing partner and Frank Birkel as its next chair. With Ben Williams and David Daniel reaching the end of their second terms as managing partner and chair, respectively, the firm’s leadership succession committee led the planned leadership transition process. They will assume their new roles in late July, working closely with Mr. Williams and Mr. Daniel through the transition period.
Mr. Brugg, who will become the 10th managing partner in the firm’s 68-year history, has served as the global head of Spencer Stuart’s private equity business since 2020, leading market growth, innovation through new services and the deepening of client partnerships globally. He has also continued an active role with clients in the Industrial sector, having led the North American industrial practice for the prior seven years.
Mr. Brugg started at Spencer Stuart 22 years ago and has held a range of roles during his tenure at the firm, including experiences contributing to the development of new practices and service areas, such as CEO succession services.
“It’s an honor to be elected Spencer Stuart’s next managing partner, alongside the most talented and experienced colleagues in our profession,” said Mr. Brugg. “This is a transformational time, as the complexities of today’s world are having a profound effect on the role of leaders and leadership teams. I’m grateful and humbled to work with my colleagues to evolve our capabilities, expand on our role as a trusted advisor to clients and enhance our role in advising leaders who are navigating their most critical challenges and opportunities.”
Newly elected chair Mr. Birkel joined Spencer Stuart in 2007 as a member of the consumer practice following leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Wrigley. He has served on the Spencer Stuart board of directors for the past nine years, serving as chair of the board’s compensation committee. He previously led the firm’s German business and served as co-leader of the EMEA region.
Mr. Williams led Spencer Stuart for six years, through a period of challenge and growth unlike any in the firm’s history. During his tenure the firm he expanded the scale of its leadership advisory services work with clients, advanced innovation in the firm’s use of proprietary technologies, and added distinctive talent around the world. Mr. Williams joined the firm in 2010 as a consultant in the financial services practice. He led the practice in North America before co-leading Spencer Stuart’s North American region.
Related: Spencer Stuart Appoints U.K. Managing Partner
Mr. Daniel’s six-year term as chair was followed by seven years of board service, having previously served as the managing partner of Spencer Stuart for 11 years. Across these roles he has been an important part of the firm’s boardroom for the past 23 years. He joined Spencer Stuart in 1994 as a consultant in the consumer goods & services practice.
Privately held since 1956, Spencer Stuart focuses on delivering knowledge, insight, and results through the collaborative efforts of a team of search professionals — now spanning 56 offices, 30 countries, and more than 50 practice specialties. The firm helps boards and leaders address their leadership needs in areas such as senior-level executive search, board recruitment, board effectiveness, succession planning, in-depth senior management assessment and many other facets of organizational effectiveness.
Recent Alliance
Earlier this year, Spencer Stuart formed a strategic alliance with artificial intelligence (AI) company Qlu.ai. Founded by Fahad Jalal in 2020, Qlu is an innovator in using AI to automate the discovery of new companies and talent. “Qlu rapidly deploys new AI models that will integrate with industry leading technology platform and discovery processes used by Spencer Stuart’s search professionals as they help clients address their evolving talent and leadership needs,” the search firm said.
“We are excited to partner with Qlu,” said David Baruch, chief information officer of Spencer Stuart. “The power and efficiency of Qlu’s AI complements the expertise and market insights of our best-in-class search team and our proprietary platform. This strategic partnership will enhance our ability to identify great leadership talent and deliver even more impactful outcomes to our clients and candidates – and will no doubt inspire further innovation to help our clients and the entire industry.”
Related: Spencer Stuart Appoints Advisory Services Co-Leader
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
