U.K.-Based Search Consultancy Appoints CEO
June 10, 2019 – Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments in the past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: London-based Search Consultancy has appointed Richard Vickers as its new CEO, replacing longtime leader Grahame Caswell who will be stepping down in December.
“I am delighted to be joining the Search Consultancy at an incredibly exciting time for everyone in the recruitment industry,” said Mr. Vickers. “What most attracted me to the role was the chance to build upon great foundations and take the group to the next level of success. I am really looking forward to working with the senior teams across the businesses to achieve positive and sustainable growth.”
Mr. Vickers has decades of experience in the recruitment industry. He has worked for Page Group in both the U.K. and the U.S. and Canada, most recently as regional managing director, North America.
Mr. Caswell said the appointment was part of his long-term retirement plan. After a short hand-over period he will remain involved with the business as a shareholder and non-executive board member.
“I have enjoyed almost two decades with Search Consultancy, and am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, growing from a Scottish regional business to one of the leading talent firms in the U.K.,” said Mr. Caswell. “This is the right moment for me to step away from the business, and I believe the time to welcome a new CEO who will be here longer term to drive and grow this business from the great position it is in today. I truly believe we have found that person in Richard Vickers.”
Patrick Kalverboer, chairman of Search Consultancy and managing partner at H2 Equity Partners thanked Mr. Caswell for his service to the firm. “He goes onto his well-deserved retirement with my true best wishes and genuine thanks,” said Mr. Kalverboer
Since Search Consultancy opened its first office in 1987, the firm has grown with offices in locations nationwide placing people at all levels across a wide range of commercial and industry sectors. The organization, which started in Glasgow, moved south of the border in 2000. The business sectors it serves include: commercial, construction trades, global, healthcare, hospitality and catering, transport and industrial, technical and engineering, technology and transformation, and professional services.
Leadership Appointments Rising at Search Firms
Top leadership appointments have been gaining traction at executive search firms over the past year. Here’s a look at several examples taken from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
InveniasPartners Appoints President
InveniasPartners, a Chicago-based healthcare executive search and talent advisory services firm, named Joseph E. Fournier as vice chairman and president. Mr. Fournier is a nationally recognized, healthcare leader and military veteran with significant expertise operating large and complex organizations.
The RSA Group, which is based in London and focuses on the life sciences sector, has appointed executive chairman Nick Stephens as its CEO. Alex Bennett recently stepped down from the top post. Mr. Stephens has been with RSA since 1986 and leads the firm’s board services practice, handling about five or six C-level assignments each year.
U.K.-headquartered executive search firm VMAGROUP has appointed Andrew Harvey as CEO. He succeeds Julia Meighan, who moves into the role of chair. Mr. Harvey came to the firm in 2013, and for the last two years has been U.K. executive director, responsible for the growth and development of all aspects of the U.K. business.
Waltham, MA-based WinterWyman appointed Scott Ragusa as president, succeeding Bob Boudreau, who had been CEO since 2002. Mr. Ragusa was previously president of WinterWyman’s contract staffing and contingency search businesses. He will now be the executive in charge of companywide operations as the firm shifts away from retained recruiting to contingency and interim work.
Egon Zehnder appointed Edilson Camara as its new CEO. He took over from Rajeev Vasudeva, who stepped down in October after holding the position since 2014. Based in Toronto, Mr. Camara assumed the role immediately, becoming the sixth CEO in the firm’s 55-year history.
Perth, Australia-based executive search firm Gerard Daniels appointed Alison Gaines as the company’s global CEO. Following a 12-year tenure as the head of its board consulting practice and recently as managing partner of Gerard Daniels’ Asia Pacific practice, Ms. Gaines will now lead the firm to continue to drive growth across all regions and offices.
Spencer Stuart appointed Ben Williams as its new CEO, succeeding Kevin Connelly, who served two three-year terms as the firm’s leader after previously serving six years as its chairman. Mr. Williams previously led Spencer Stuart’s North American business and, before that, led its financial services practice in the region.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
