JacksonGrant Executive Founder & Managing Partner Recognized for Innovation & Leadership The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the $20+ billion executive search and leadership consulting industry, has awarded Richard Jackson, Founder and Managing Partner of JacksonGrant Executive, with the AESC Future of the Profession Award. “Richard Jackson has raised the bar for executive search in emerging markets,” said James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of AESC. “He has brought global standards to Thailand’s executive search industry, embedding ethics, innovation, and strategic rigor where they are needed most. His work exemplifies the future of our profession.” Only four years after beginning his career in 2012, Richard Jackson made it his mission to professionalize executive search in a market where contingency recruitment has long been the norm in 2016. In 2022, he launched JacksonGrant Executive, Thailand’s only AESC-accredited independent boutique focused exclusively on board and senior-level appointments. By separating this practice from domestic recruitment operations, Richard signaled a bold commitment to global best practices, ethical delivery, and client outcomes measured not by volume, but by lasting impact. The results speak for themselves. Under his leadership, JacksonGrant has delivered 46 senior-level appointments and achieved 40% female placements [...]

AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research Honors Carey Alun Maeder for Raising the Bar in the Profession The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the $20+ billion executive search and leadership consulting industry, has awarded Carey Alun Maeder, Associate at Andrews Partnership, with the AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research. “Carey’s work embodies the integrity, professionalism, and forward-thinking that define AESC’s standards,” said James Edmund Datri, President & CEO of AESC. “He represents the kind of talent that elevates our entire profession, and we are proud to recognize him with the AESC Award of Excellence in Executive Research.” Carey’s contributions have consistently exceeded expectations and delivered strategic value far beyond task execution. One standout example was his work on a regional Corporate Affairs Executive search across APAC, where he built a market map of over 200 qualified candidates across five countries in under three weeks. This effort led to the appointment of a high-performing leader who would not have been uncovered through traditional channels. She hit the ground running and within six months was already improving business performance metrics. Innovation is at the core of Carey’s approach. He has pioneered the use of [...]

Recognized for Exceptional Dedication to Social Impact and Purpose-Driven Leadership The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the $20+ billion executive search and leadership consulting industry, has awarded Watermark Search International with the AESC Commitment to the Community Award. “Watermark’s work goes beyond corporate responsibility—it reflects a profound commitment to using their expertise and resources to create real, lasting impact,” said James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of AESC. “They have set a new benchmark for how our profession can serve the communities in which we operate.” For Watermark International, community engagement is not an afterthought—it is woven into the fabric of the firm’s identity. Each year, the firm commits to at least one pro bono executive search, a program designed to provide mission-critical leadership to organizations making a difference. Over the last five years, these searches have placed high-impact leaders into roles at organizations such as St John Ambulance Australia, Red Cross Australia, and Injalak Arts Centre—organizations whose work directly improves lives. One such example was Watermark’s support for the Injalak Arts Centre, a remote Aboriginal-owned art center in Arnhem Land. Facing a period of urgent transition, the Centre needed immediate leadership to stabilize operations [...]

Alliance Will Enhance Benefits for Members of Both Associations The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) today announced a landmark strategic partnership between the two leading organizations committed to advancing board leadership. This new relationship brings together NACD, the organization representing corporate board members, with AESC, the organization representing the firms that recruit and place board directors across every corporate vertical. Exclusive, Enhanced Benefits for Members of Both Associations AESC’s executive search and leadership advisory firms are constantly seeking top board talent for new opportunities. NACD’s members are accomplished board leaders who stand to gain from these opportunities. This partnership, which directly connects the memberships of AESC and NACD, uniquely benefits members of both associations as well as the companies they serve. Only through NACD can board members access this exclusive partnership with AESC—gaining tools and insights that enhance their leadership impact. Likewise, companies working with AESC member firms benefit from direct access to NACD’s network of highly qualified board members. This partnership offers unmatched value, available only through this collaboration. As an initial touchpoint, NACD and AESC will deliver custom resources from BlueSteps, AESC’s executive career services platform, to NACD Accelerate™ members. BlueSteps provides [...]