Waterstone Human Capital Acquires Focus Insights
October 24, 2023 – Talent management firm Waterstone Human Capital has acquired Focus Insights. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lori Moffatt, Focus Insights’ founder and principal, becomes managing director at the Waterstone Culture Institute. “This partnership further solidifies our purpose of building high performance teams and cultures,” said Marty Parker, president and CEO of Waterstone Human Capital. “With the combined expertise of Waterstone and Focus Insights, we are poised to deliver unparalleled value to our clients through expanded culture talent management services.”
“This is a natural alignment of two companies who regard workplace culture as more than just a business term – it’s a strategic asset,” Waterstone said in a release. “With the integration of Waterstone’s culture-centric approach, and Focus Insights’ tailored solutions – spanning from recruitment, workplace assessments, and leadership development to change management, and more – their combined offering is set to redefine the landscape of culture and talent management, and organizational development.”
“We’re not just merging two companies; we’re converging our shared purpose and vision to build high performance team and cultures using best in class tech, people, and services,” said Ms. Moffatt. “Our mutual aim is to ensure that our clients don’t just exist in the marketplace, but that they thrive, lead, and set the standard for what it truly means to be a high-performance culture.”
Focus Insights has experience in all areas of HR, including recruitment, team-building, change management organization design, and leadership development. The company has worked with organizations of all sizes, including Fortune 100’s. Focus Insights’ assessment tools are designed to uncover emotional intelligence and highlight a suite of skills from self-awareness to self-management, motivation, empathy and relationship-building.
“Focus Insights has always embodied an unwavering commitment to fostering desirable cultures, enhancing performance, nurturing future leaders, and sustaining talent engagement through its holistic range of HR services,” Waterstone said.
Waterstone Human Capital is an executive search firm specializing in recruiting for fit and a cultural talent management organization which provides leadership development, succession planning, cultural assessment and cultural alignment consulting for entrepreneurial-minded, high-growth organizations across North America. Mr. Parker, who founded Waterstone in 2003, has provided expert commentary on the impact and importance of corporate culture and human capital for CNBC, the National Post, Canadian Business and Profit, and has appeared on Canada AM, BNN and CP24.
Recent Deals
Acquisitions and consolidations continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. And it’s not just executive search firms. Technology-based outfits have also been in on the action. Here is a sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
The Christopher Group, a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has completed a letter of intent to acquire Six Summit Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development firm. The transaction is expected to officially close on Sept. 29. “We are extremely excited to continue to innovate and add value for our current and prospective clients,” said Nathaniel Schiffer, CEO of The Christopher Group. “This acquisition not only broadens our capabilities but also reinforces our dedication to assisting our clients in nurturing effective leadership and fostering positive change within their organizations. Equally important this acquisition will provide a physical presence in the mountain and western regions from which to build and nurture critical relationships.”
Corsica Partners has acquired Alora Search Partners and appointed its founding partner, Mary Langan as managing director and cybersecurity practice lead. “Alora Search Partners has developed a respected reputation serving public, VC and PE backed software, robotics, and cybersecurity firms,” said Dan Veitkus, managing partner and CEO of Corsica Partners. “Under Mary’s leadership, Alora has carved out a place among the most admired executive search boutiques and I’m delighted to welcome the Alora team, their clients, and candidates into the Corsica Partners’ family. With this acquisition, we extend our capacity to deliver exceptional C-suite talent across every major function of the enterprise.”
Leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has acquired Nvolv, a boutique leadership consulting firm serving CEOs and C-suite executives of global businesses. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Our acquisition of Nvolv represents a powerful opportunity for us to bolster our client offerings and further strengthen our preeminent position as leaders in C-suite leadership advisory services,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates. “Bob and the entire Nvolv team have an enviable track record of building deep relationships and driving extraordinary results at the most senior levels of organizations, and we look forward to joining forces to increase the depth of both firms’ impact in advising and coaching C-suite executives, preparing the next generation of senior executives, supporting new leader integration, de-risking CEO succession, and aligning top teams to deliver on their transformation agendas.”
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has acquired Helbling & Associates, an executive search firm focused on real estate, facilities, and construction. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The addition of the Helbling team to the ZRG family will bolster our growing real estate practice,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “We’ll have more resources for our clients, including support in the construction sector of the real estate industry. We are very excited to bring even greater depth and breadth of expertise to the companies we serve.” Helbling & Associates, based in Wexford, PA, was established in 1992 by Tom Helbling to meet the recruiting needs of construction contractors and real estate developers. As clients began referring the firm to their professional networks, Helbling’s client base expanded to entities with significant real estate assets and facilities management needs. Today, Helbling’s clients include institutions of education, healthcare, and research, as well as cultural and community organizations. The firm has completed search assignments in 43 states.
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has acquired German executive search firm Delta Management Consultants GmbH. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are pleased to be acquiring such a longstanding firm with such exceptional colleagues,” said Richard Moore, CEO. “Together we will create even further value for both our clients. Today clients need effective, sustainable, and diverse leadership more than ever. Acquiring and improving leadership is the greatest challenge organizations face – and the only way they can sustainably outperform.” Founded in 1983, Delta Management Consultants has for over 30 years assisted clients in areas such as executive search, leadership advisory, management consulting, and more. Anja Schelte, J. Carlos Fernandes, and Stefan Koop, managing partners of Delta Management Consultants GmbH, said: “We look forward to a future together with Mercuri Urval. Our employees benefit from the company’s resources and global presence. Our clients can continue to count on the proven expertise and commitment of us, their longstanding advisors, but now with the added value and expanded capabilities that this strategic acquisition offers.”
Related: Hunt Scanlon Media Launches M&A Advisory Service for Recruiters
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; and Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
