Spencer Stuart, a leading global advisory firm, announced the appointment of Clare Kennedy as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective today. Kennedy succeeds Christine Laurens as part of a planned succession and in support of Laurens' retirement from full-time executive work. Laurens will remain with the firm for several months to ensure a smooth transition. Kennedy, who is based in London, joins Spencer Stuart from Maples Group, an international advisory firm that provides legal, fiduciary and fund administration services, where she served as global Chief Operating Officer. She joined Maples Group from Freshfields, an international law firm, where she served as its global Chief Financial Officer and held a seat on the global executive board. Kennedy previously spent 18 years at Linklaters, an international law firm, where she held a variety of senior finance and commercial leadership roles during a period of significant expansion and growth. She began her career at Arthur Andersen and EY as a chartered accountant, specializing in tax. Kennedy's experience has been global, not only in leading international operations but also in having lived and worked in Amsterdam, London, New York and Toronto. She graduated from the University of Stirling with a B.A. with Honors in Business Studies and Economics. "We are [...]

Cornerstone International Group announced the official opening of its Frankfurt office, as a strategic European hub alongside the appointment of Florian Kittler as Global Sector Head—Hospitality, Travel & Leisure. The expansion reflects increasing demand from Hospitality, Travel, and Lifestyle organizations for leadership partners who combine global reach with deep sector expertise, as the industry navigates international growth, digital transformation, and evolving client expectations. Cornerstone operates more than 60 offices across over 40 countries, advising boards, owners, and senior leadership teams on executive search, executive coaching, leadership development, and talent strategy. The Frankfurt office marks the firm’s second location in Germany, following Düsseldorf, strengthens the firm’s ability to deliver globally integrated, culturally attuned leadership solutions across Europe and beyond. “Hospitality is fundamentally a people business, yet it is facing unprecedented complexity,” said Simon Wan, Chairman and CEO of Cornerstone International Group. “By appointing Florian Kittler to head our Frankfurt office as Managing Partner while leading our Global Hospitality, Travel & Leisure practice, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering sector-specific, globally integrated leadership solutions that help clients grow without losing their human core.” The Frankfurt office will focus on Hospitality & Leisure, Travel & Tourism, Consumer Services, Restaurants, Lifestyle Brands, and [...]

Coulter Partners announces a further strengthening of its senior leadership with Ian Coyne joining the Managing Partners group. In addition to this strategic leadership expansion, the firm further refined the structure of its Senior Leadership team, with Joe Coulter assuming a new role as Chief Business Officer (CBO) and Charlotte James being promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Ian Coyne, who joined Coulter Partners in 2019, is invited to the Managing Partners group to enhance the firm’s Organizational and Leadership Advisory Services, with an emphasis on the intersection of technology, health, and science. Ian brings a highly strategic and specialized background to the leadership team, drawing on 14 years in international executive search and assessment with leading global search firms, and 11 years in management consulting and technology. He is a key specialist in understanding the impact of digital transformation on industries, companies, and leadership teams. Based in London, Ian previously served as Chief Growth Officer at Europe’s leading digital executive search firm and was Global Head of Knowledge for Russell Reynolds Associates. Ian holds a BSc in Computer Science and AI from the University of Manchester, UK, a Diploma in Advanced Business Management from the University of Edinburgh, UK, and an Executive MBA from ENPC in Paris, France. Ian is also a [...]