The Tolan Group Acquires Discover Biopharmaceutical Search and Placement
October 6, 2017 – Acquisitions continue to make news within the executive search industry. The Tolan Group, a member of the Sanford Rose Associates network, recently acquired Charleston, SC-based Discover Biopharmaceutical Search and Placement, a boutique search firm dedicated to the biopharmaceutical field. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. The transition is effective immediately.
“This is a very strategic opportunity for our firm,” said Timothy J. Tolan, CEO and managing partner. “The healthcare sector continues to grow and expand, and life sciences is a big part of that expansion.”
Annual sales of biopharmaceuticals are now over $200 billion globally, and industry revenue continues to grow at a healthy 15 percent annually which means that the need for talent in the sector is great.
The Tolan Group is a Hunt Scanlon Media Top 50 Healthcare and Life Sciences search firm focused on talent acquisition for healthcare software and services, life sciences, behavioral health, family and human services and the substance abuse market. It serves both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
“Joining the Tolan Group is very synergistic for my firm in order to grow and scale while adding additional services we can now offer the clients we serve,” said Michael Smith, managing director of Discover Biopharmaceutical Search and Placement. “The Tolan Group will allow us to provide world-class service levels that our clients will benefit from greatly. Their reputation as a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Executive Search Firm speaks for itself.”
Mr. Smith is an experienced healthcare executive recruiter with 15 years experience working with companies in a variety of leadership roles. He will now lead the life sciences practice at the Tolan Group.
Recent Search Firm Acquisitions
Executive search firms have seen a rise in acquisitions this year. Activity, in fact, seems heightened across the board:
Heidrick & Struggles recently entered into an agreement to acquire Amrop Denmark. The deal is estimated at $8.4 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All five Amrop Denmark partners are expected to join Heidricks’ Copenhagen office as partners.
London-based executive recruitment firm Sheffield Haworth acquired nbi Consulting, a specialist global executive search and talent management firm in the business and professional services sector. As part of the acquisition, nbi will become part of Sheffield Haworth’s global business and professional services practice.
DHR International has acquired boutique executive search firm COOPER+LOGAN. With the addition of two new managing partners, the acquisition strengthens DHR’s retail/fashion industry and functional expertise. COOPER+LOGAN, founded in 2008, specializes in the selection of senior-level design, merchandising and creative services candidates for “brand-centric” clients.
Global recruiter Ward Howell International has acquired Curran Partners, a Stamford, CT-based executive search firm with a concentration in the life sciences, among other sectors it serves. Founded in 1989, Curran Partners became the U.S. member of ECI Group, an international network, in 2003.
Global financial recruiting specialist Options Group acquired MCL Search Ltd, an executive search firm based in London specializing in electronic markets (trading and distribution), prime brokerage/ clearing and financial trading technology with a focus on currencies and fixed income. Founding partners, Maria Aldous and Charlotte Battisti, bring a combined 25 years in executive search.
Focus Search Partners (FSP), the executive search division of talent solutions provider Vaco, has acquired the Dallas, TX-based recruiters Taylor Winfield. With the acquisition, FSP gains a team of professionals with enterprise operating experience across industries including Internet/ digital media, technology/ SaaS software, consumer/ retail/ food service and business services.
ZRG Partners acquired life sciences specialist HM Long Global Partners. As part of the asset acquisition agreement, Helga Long, formerly the chair and CEO of HM Long/ RSVP Group, joined ZRG Partners. Ms. Long is considered one of the world’s top executive search professionals in life sciences.
Jordan Search Consultants, a recruiting firm focused on the healthcare, executive and higher education sectors, acquired Health Search New England (HSNE), a search firm specializing in the recruitment of healthcare providers throughout the Northeast. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed.
Acertitude acquired Los Angeles-based Olive Avenue Search Partners. Olive Avenue’s founders, Gwen Sabo and Joann Maciejewski, bring deep expertise in the development of research capabilities, training and development, and identifying and engaging top talent. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ohio-headquartered Torch Group acquired Selker Leadership, a search firm that places candidates in the technology and software fields. Selker Leadership’s president, Gregory L. Selker, will join Torch Group as senior vice president and search operations leader, overseeing the firm’s search practice, including research and candidate development.
Buffkin/ Baker recently merged New York-based WTW Associates into its expanding executive recruiting platform. WTW, a talent provider focused on the media, entertainment, technology and law industries, will integrate its operations into the Buffkin/ Baker New York office. Warren Wasp becomes a partner in the firm, and will head its entertainment/ media practice.
U.K.-based Hydrogen Group acquired Argyll Scott for £3.3 million. Together, the combined firms will deliver recruitment services across multiple functions, industries and countries. The acquisition allows Hydrogen to accelerate international growth plans and benefit from greater strength and depth in the London market.
Walter James recently acquired Euromedica Executive Search Limited. Walter James operates in the life sciences sector with a focus on global enabling units. The acquisition positions the firm to offer end-to-end specialist service across the entire life sciences value chain. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
