SpenglerFox Names Head of Private Equity
January 18, 2024 – Global executive search and human capital solutions provider SpenglerFox has expanded with the addition of Michael Klingler as head of private equity. He is based in Wiesbaden, Germany. “I am delighted that Michael has decided to join SpenglerFox and strengthen our client origination team,” said Jens Friedrich, CEO of the SpenglerFox Group. “His deep experience in the life sciences sector, and particularly his strong private equity background, resonates perfectly with our continued focus on supporting PE-backed, high-growth companies with board and leadership team acquisition.”
Mr. Klingler comes to SpenglerFox from Acertitude, where he was partner and leader within their global healthcare & life sciences practice. He is a senior executive with more than 20 years of experience in executive search, board search and leadership assessment, with a strong network amongst board members, CEOs, and private equity executives across Europe and the Americas. Mr. Klingler is fluent in English and German.
“In his new role at SpenglerFox, given our growing portfolio of agile and high-growth companies who are rapidly expanding across the globe, especially those with private equity backing, Michael will play a pivotal role as we continue focusing on this market segment by leveraging his vast professional networks across the Americas, EMEA and Asia regions,” the search firm said. “Michael will also join our acclaimed Life Sciences team who are highly sought after by clients in the medical care, pharma, medical devices and biotech sectors across EMEA.”
“I am thrilled to join SpenglerFox in this truly exciting time,” Mr. Klingler said. “My new home shares the same commitment to exceptional results and service, and has a bold vision for driving strategic change in the executive search industry. It is an honor for me to embark on this exciting new chapter of my career, filled with new challenges and colleagues.”
Global Search Firm
Founded in 2003, SpenglerFox is a global search and HR services firm working across multiple territories serving both the mature and emerging markets. The firm further provides interim management, payrolling, and recruitment process outsourcing in both mature and emerging markets. The firm also has a dedicated focus on board work for small to mid-sized companies and a research team that provides talent mapping and pipelining solutions.
Related: SpenglerFox Appoints Head of Talent Acquisition
Mr. Friedrich has worked in executive search since 1994 and has delivered assignments across all SpenglerFox’s practice groups. Additionally, he is a key member of the firm’s private equity and executive interim management practice. Mr. Friedrich joined SpenglerFox in 2010 as regional director for DACH and CEE. He has since overseen global operations and successfully led the firm’s management buyout in 2017 before becoming CEO.
SpenglerFox Appoints Head of Life Sciences and Switzerland
SpenglerFox has added Zsuzsanna Zimonyi to its executive leadership team as partner, head of life sciences, and head of Switzerland. “Zsuzsanna has made a considerable contribution to our business since she joined us in 2013, and today the life sciences practice is one of the biggest contributors to our overall business,” said Jens Friedrich, CEO of SpenglerFox. “Her leadership of this business unit, her passion and professionalism, and ongoing contribution to the exponential growth of our presence in Switzerland, are simply exemplary. I am proud to welcome her to the executive leadership team and looking forward to working with her and the rest of the leadership team as we prepare the business for a very exciting future.”
Ms. Zimonyi joined SpenglerFox in 2013 after 13 years with Korn Ferry, where her last role was that of principal. During her years in executive search, she specialized in recruitment for general management, commercial, and scientific roles. Her main specialty practices are life sciences and consumer goods.
Last year, SpenglerFox named Rico Kaczmarek as client partner and leader of the executive management interim line across the EMEA region. He is based in München, Germany. “With Rico’s appointment, we are reached yet another milestone in the development and diversification of our services portfolio,” said Mr. Friedrich. “With the exponential growth in the demand from our clients for interim management solutions across the EMEA region, Rico will not only strengthen our capability and reach to support our clients with agile interim solutions, but is also expected to play a significant role to support the growing number of senior executives who are pivoting their corporate careers into interim / fractional roles, thus offering our clients access to an unprecedented pool of experienced interim manager candidates.”
Related: SpenglerFox Appoints Head of Life Sciences and Switzerland
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
