Vlaad and Company Expands to U.S. with New York City Office Launch
August 9, 2018 – Toronto-based Vlaad and Company, a financial services executive search firm, has expanded into the U.S. with the opening of a new office in New York City. The expansion increases the firm’s North American presence and helps both American and Canadian firms find top-tier talent in a very tight marketplace, said the firm
New York remains the epicenter of the global financial services industry and its draw of cross-border finance professionals to work in the city is at an all-time high. “Financial services recruitment in New York is highly specialized,” said Bill Vlaad, president of Vlaad and Company. “A significant portion of Wall Street is Canadian. Offering Canadian candidates a window to opportunities in New York or showcasing searches back home is a meaningful differentiator.”
Other factors also played a part in the decision. “The banking industry is saturated domestically, resulting in large U.S. investments,” said Mr. Vlaad. “The demand for finance professionals has dramatically increased on Wall Street. Additionally, immigration complications at the border have made obtaining work permits less certain, limiting the pool of qualified and available Canadian candidates. The search for the ‘best of the best’ has become more demanding.”
Wall Street Headcount Shrinking, But Recruiters Still See Opportunities
Competition among recruiters in the financial sector has always been fierce, and that’s no less true in 2018. Although the Great Recession is receding further away in the rearview mirror and things may soon be looking up in terms of regulations …
Under the Trump administration, requirements necessary to work in the financial services industry in America have become more stringent. Vlaad and Company will provide a unique Canadian solution to help steer through the complications of trans-border career moves, said the firm.
Financial Specialists
Vlaad and Company is a financial-sector specialized recruitment firm providing full-service recruitment needs across Canada. The firm’s clients includes major Canadian, foreign and independent investment banks, pension funds, hedge funds and corporate development teams within major Canadian organizations. The firm won the 2017 HR & Training Award for Best Financial Services Recruitment Agency in Canada. Its weekly and monthly e-newsletter “Bill’s Buzz” and “Women on the Move,” reaches over a million people annually.
Mr. Vlaad founded the firm in 2007. Previously, he was senior director for George Weston Ltd. He has also been an associate at both BMO Capital Markets and Crosbie & Company. He holds an MBA in finance from the Ivey Business School at Western University.
New York City
Perhaps no market is as vibrant, or challenging, for the executive search industry as New York. A decade since the last big recession rocked their world, bankers and other financial industry titans – and the recruiters who serve them – are thriving once again. But the many other organizations that call the Big Apple home, including giants of the non-profit world, retail, healthcare and media, among others, are also setting the pace for the rest of the country, and the world.
Here is a sampling of expansion within the search industry in New York City taken from the Hunt Scanlon archives:
FIND Executive Consulting recently opened its doors in New York City. The firm was launched by former Martens & Heads! search consultants Kate Benson, Theresa Fuchs-Santiago and Jennifer Puckett. FIND’s industry focus spans the worlds of fashion, beauty, retail, luxury and lifestyle.
Kingsley Gate Partners has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Lindsey Burton as a vice president in New York. Ms. Burton also supports business development and candidate identification across financial services and technology. Ms. Burton has a background within the financial services sector, including a focus on placing senior executives within investment banking.
London-headquartered executive search firm Ridgeway Partners has expanded its operations in the U.S. with the addition of Regina Glocker as a partner in its New York office. Ms. Glocker specializes in executive searches within banking and capital markets and the three lines of defense for financial institutions, fintech companies and private equity portfolio companies.
Lancor added veteran recruiter Scott M. Estill to manage its New York City office and lead its global advisory practice. Mr. Estill, who retains the title of partner, plays a key role in the firm’s well-established private equity-focused recruiting practice while building Lancor’s new advisory business.
McDermott & Bull expanded into New York City. Stu Leibach, principal consultant and industry specialist within the firm’s retail practice, is based out of the new location. “Now more than ever, identifying the right executive talent is critical to success in the modern retail landscape,” said Mr. Leibach.
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