Spencer Stuart Names Chief Communications Officer
April 22, 2026 – Spencer Stuart has appointed Bill Launder as chief communications officer, a newly created position with the firm. “We are delighted to welcome Bill to Spencer Stuart in this important role at a pivotal time for our firm,” said Jordan Brugg, chief executive officer of Spencer Stuart. “We operate at the intersection of talent and strategy, and how we communicate our insights and impact is increasingly important. Bill’s combination of in-house corporate communications experience, advisory perspective and newsroom instinct will be instrumental in strengthening how we tell our story, reinforcing our role as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and their organizations around the world.”
Mr. Launder, who is based in New York, joins Spencer Stuart from Prudential Financial, where he served as head of corporate communications, leading media relations, corporate reputation, executive messaging, crisis preparedness and financial communications for the multinational organization. He previously served as vice president of corporate communications at Discovery, Inc., where he was responsible for media relations, executive positioning and financial communications. Launder also worked at Brunswick Group, advising Fortune 500 clients on a range of corporate communications and reputation issues.
Mr. Launder started his career as a journalist, first based in the Paris bureau at the New York Times, before joining American Banker to cover financial services. Launder then joined the Wall Street Journal as a foreign correspondent in Germany, covering the financial crisis, European Central Bank and European debt crisis, before returning to New York to cover the U.S. media industry.
In his new role, Mr. Launder will lead Spencer Stuart’s global communications strategy. The firm said that he will focus on elevating the firm’s voice, strengthening its brand and reputation and deepening engagement with clients and stakeholders worldwide.
“Spencer Stuart is a true leader in the global advisory industry, with unmatched talent, insights and relationships with the world’s most important leaders and organizations,” said Mr. Launder. “I’m thrilled to join the Spencer Stuart team at this important moment and look forward to helping shape the firm’s evolving story on behalf of our clients and colleagues around the world.”
Related: Spencer Stuart Names Co-Leader of Board Advisory 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.
Recently Named CFO
Spencer Stuart recently appointed Clare Kennedy as its new chief financial officer. She succeeded Christine Laurens as part of a planned succession and in support of Laurens’ retirement from full-time executive work. Ms. Laurens will remain with the firm for several months to ensure a smooth transition.
Spencer Stuart Appoints Leader of Global Real Estate Practice
Spencer Stuart has named Justin Zale as a partner in its New York and Stamford offices, where he will lead the firm’s global real estate practice. “Justin brings a deeply strategic perspective on talent, honed through his combined experiences as a real estate operator and global advisor,” said George Craft, who leads Spencer Stuart’s global financial services practice. “As the real estate industry continues to evolve among shifting business models and evolving capital structures, his insight and leadership will be invaluable to clients as they plan for the future.”
“We are grateful to Christine for her many significant contributions, which have strengthened our finance function and advanced our firm, and wish her the very best in her retirement,” said Jordan Brugg, CEO of Spencer Stuart. “We are delighted to welcome Clare to Spencer Stuart to further build on that strength. She is an accomplished finance leader and will be an exceptional addition to our global leadership team, with her deep experience and strong track record in strengthening operations, driving profitable growth and developing impactful teams.”
Ms. Kennedy, who is based in London, joins Spencer Stuart from Maples Group, an international advisory firm that provides legal, fiduciary and fund administration services, where she served as global chief operating officer. She joined Maples Group from Freshfields, an international law firm, where she served as its global CFO and held a seat on the global executive board.
Ms. Kennedy previously spent 18 years at Linklaters, an international law firm, where she held a variety of senior finance and commercial leadership roles during a period of significant expansion and growth. Her experience has been global, not only in leading international operations but also in having lived and worked in Amsterdam, London, New York and Toronto.
Related: Spencer Stuart Forms Long-Term Alliance with ONYX
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
