Press Release
JacksonGrant Executive Founder & Managing Partner Recognized for Innovation & Leadership
The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the + 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 for CEO roles across Southeast Asia—far above the 12% regional average. Beyond numbers, Richard’s approach has transformed client expectations in Thailand, showing that retained search is not just a service but a strategic partnership that shapes business success.
Central to this transformation is Richard’s commitment to innovation as a catalyst for professionalism. He led the creation of a proprietary AI-powered research system, a platform that aggregates executive data, corporate filings, and market intelligence to produce dynamic longlists and insight-rich shortlists in record time. Since its launch in 2024, the system has reduced time-to-shortlist by 30%, cut interview rounds by 20%, and saved more than 3,000 consultant hours, enabling his team to focus on what truly differentiates retained search: strategic advisory, cultural fit evaluation, and long-term leadership outcomes.
Richard has also introduced cutting-edge tools and frameworks to Thailand, including the GC Index, an evidence-based assessment of impact potential, and spearheaded the accreditation of Thailand’s first female GCologist. His integrated Executive Launchpad solution—combining retained search, Hogan assessments, and executive coaching—has delivered a 100% retention rate for senior appointments over 12–18 months. Together, these innovations have set a new standard for leadership hiring in Southeast Asia.
His influence extends beyond his firm. As Co-Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce HR Committee in Thailand, Richard has been a vocal advocate for diversity, ethics, and long-term value in leadership hiring, helping multinational and local companies alike understand the value of high-caliber, ethical executive search. He has built mentorship-driven internship and graduate programs to cultivate future search professionals in Thailand, ensuring that the next generation enters the field with international standards and ethical foundations.
Clients attest to the transformation he has driven:
“More than once, [Richard’s] advice has helped us shape roles to align with long-term goals, not just short-term hiring needs,” said Joachim Hanssen, CEO Southeast Asia & Oceania, Rhenus Logistics. “He brings a balance of market intelligence, structured delivery, and sound judgement that makes the process efficient and easy to trust. His leadership is evident in the consistency of his team and the clarity of their work.”
“What started as a recruitment partnership has evolved into something far more strategic,” said Klaus Hofmann, Group CEO, CCE Group. “Richard’s advice and executive placements have had a genuine and measurable impact on the business, helping us secure the leadership talent required to adapt, evolve, and thrive in a new chapter of growth.”
Through advocacy, innovation, and hands-on leadership, Richard Jackson is proving that emerging markets can lead the way in professional, ethical, and world-class executive search.
About the AESC Future of the Profession Award
The AESC Future of the Profession Award recognizes rising leaders in executive search and leadership consulting who demonstrate innovation, forward-thinking leadership, and a commitment to advancing the profession. Recipients are trailblazers whose contributions are shaping the future of executive search—raising standards for clients, candidates, and the industry worldwide.
