Sports Recruitment International Acquires Munich-Based Executive Search Firm
April 12, 2016 – SRi (Sports Recruitment International) has acquired Munich-based sporting goods and fashion executive search firm, “heads for brands.” Andreas Huber, who served as chief executive officer of the firm, becomes head of sporting goods and fashion for SRi.
Mr. Huber has more than 10 years of experience in recruiting for fashion, lifestyle (eyewear, bodywear, accessories etc.) and the sports industry (outdoor and performance wear). His firm has recruited senior-level executives for international brands as well as medium-sized companies in finding experts and executives throughout the sector.
Prior to founding “heads for brands,” he was founder and partner of GHC, a search firm focused on the fashion, sports and lifestyle industries. Prior to that, he was a recruitment consultant for the textile and retail business at Civitas International.
“We have great pleasure in welcoming “heads for brands” into the SRi group,” said SRi managing director Jim Chaplin. “We are committed to expanding both our territorial coverage and our sector expertise and the acquisition of a German-based, sporting goods and fashion business satisfies both of these objectives.”
Executive Search: Trends In Talent Acquisition
“There is an old paradox in need of an update. It varies based on who you talk to but goes something like this: leadership remains in short supply…the ‘War for Talent’ is either over or just getting started.” — Dale E. Jones, President and CEO of Diversified Search
| Get Info |
“Andreas has deep knowledge and experience within both sporting goods and fashion,” said SRi director for Continental Europe Patrick Albrecht. “His expertise and consultative approach over 13 years in the industry has made him a trusted adviser to a wide range of leading organizations, across a range of functional areas. We are looking forward to working with him.”
“Christopher and I are very excited to be part of the SRi group,” said Mr. Huber. “We believe that the group’s international network and contact base, coupled with our expertise and our own track record, make SRi a natural partner for “heads for brands” — extending our ability to provide depth and breadth to our relationships with clients around the world.”
“We saw Germany as a sophisticated and growing sporting goods and fashion market,” said Mr. Chaplin. “Establishing a presence further reaffirms our commitment to building a strong international network and providing our clients with a pool of high quality global talent.” Sporting goods and fashion companies in the country include Siemens, Adidas, Puma, Jako, Polytan, Sigma Sport, Völkl, Reusch, Valisere, Jack Wolfskin, Ulla Popken, Buffalo, Rohde, Marc O’Polo, Tom Tailor, s.Oliver, Esprit, and Wunderkind.
The sports industry continues to be a growth area for executive search businesses. Many C-suite focused recruiting firms are now active in the sector and some specialize only in the sports field itself, but all are dedicated to providing sports-related executive search and leadership advisory services.
Among them: DHR International, Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates, Diversified Search, Odgers Berndtson, Eastman & Beaudine, Turnkey Search, Parker Executive Search, Neinas Sports Services, and Collegiate Sports Associates.
But Sports Recruitment International has been one of the most aggressive, recently expanding into Canada. The firm added Max Dawson to lead its operations in the region. Mr. Dawson, who retains the title of director, Canada, was previously a search manager with executive recruiting firm Conroy Ross Partners. He previously served in numerous roles with NHL hockey team the Edmonton Oilers, most recently as a partnership sales specialist and operations supervisor.
With wholly owned offices in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland and the U.K., SRi is an international executive search firm focused on the sports, media and entertainment sectors. Clients include rights holders, professional clubs & teams, international federations, governing bodies, corporate sponsors, venues, major events, broadcasters, media owners, agencies and sporting goods brands.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
