Succession Executive Search Launches to Serve Investment Banking, Private Equity Sectors

November 9, 2020 – The executive search industry is being disrupted by the entrance of a multitude of new players offering advanced business models and new technologies. The latest: Ahmad Popalyar has launched Succession Executive Search, a recruiting firm that specializes in finding investment banking and private equity professionals, as well as C-level executives across the middle market.

“To win the war for talent, you have to first understand that the battlefield isn’t the same as it was even five years ago,” said Mr. Popalyar, who serves as president and CEO. “It’s digital now. In order to find and attract top-tier talent, you have to be connected to the virtual communities – where the networking, engagement and thought leadership is happening. You must meet the candidates where they are, and actively engage and build relationships with them before they even think about taking on their next role,” he said. “If not, you’ll find yourself spending six to 12 months trying to find that right person that could have been found in one week. This is what makes Succession different.”

Succession consists of two separate entities: Succession Executive Search and Succession Media. Succession Executive Search helps clients secure candidates, while Succession Media provides digital content that engages candidates and helps them get better at negotiation, interviewing and managing their careers. By capitalizing on a social network of over 14,000 professionals across private equity and private debt, Succession offers its clients a guarantee of one to three years.

Mr. Popalyar brings over 15 years of executive search experience across private equity, investment banking and corporate finance, placing talent across private equity and private debt. He has executed over 200 searches and has closed more than $250 million in private equity deals through his proprietary deal sourcing strategy. He is a decorated veteran of the U.S. military, where his search career began over 20 years ago, in part acting as a recruiter for the Army as well as the National Guard.

Open for Business

Over the past year, new recruiting firms have put out shingles around the world in a wide range of industries. Here’s a look at a recent sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Recruitment industry veteran Tim Walsh has launched Vetted, a boutique recruitment and outplacement firm focused on supporting Greater Boston’s innovation ecosystem. “We want to help companies navigate this new world of talent acquisition, where remote hiring and the renewed importance of diversity hiring have come to the forefront,” said Mr. Walsh. “With all that’s happened in 2020, it’s more important than ever to give back. To put that into action, we’re proud to donate 10 percent of our profits to local charitable causes while partnering with Boston-area businesses who share that mindset and are excited about the good we can do together.”

BIPOC Executive Search Inc. has been launched to focus on the recruitment of black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) for organizations across Canada. The new venture is inspired by the BlackNorth Initiative — a program calling on Canadian organizations to, by 2025, ensure black leaders hold 3.5 percent of executive and board member roles, at minimum. BIPOC Executive Search seeks to support organizations in their quest to fulfill this critically important mission. “It is encouraging to see leaders, across sectors, become more intentional about increasing the representation of black people around decision-making tables,” said Jason Murray, founder and president.

Veteran executive recruiter Steve Caliger has launched The Loring Group. Mr. Caliger has had a distinguished career as a sales leader and executive search consultant in the technology industry. He is a technology professional who has held leadership positions with several industry icons. With more than 20 years of executive search and consulting experience, Mr. Caliger develops senior leadership teams for sales, finance, product, engineering and information technology. In addition, he has done work for consumer products, financial services and non-profit organizations.