Cornerstone’s Europe / Middle East / Africa Region and Offices
EMEA is a jigsaw puzzle of varying and often divergent views and outlooks.
There are 44 — 51 countries in Europe; the exact count varies according to various standards of nationhood applied by different agencies. The European Union (EU) is made up of 27 countries. These countries vary in economic status/outlook, corporate structures, salary levels, client expectations, etc. This complex picture is probably more intricate than ever, given the ramifications of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Cornerstone’s EMEA region is now comprised of more than 25 locally owned search firms that help clients fill key positions wherever they have a need. Whether supporting clients in their own local area, working with other members in the region, or networking globally with other Cornerstone members, Cornerstone firms provide their clients the highest level of service. For more than 30 years we have had a strong presence in the Executive Search industry, leading searches for companies across a variety of industries, functions, and locations.
We know every search requires a dedicated team that understands the needs and goals of each client. Our success is proven by the many clients who repeatedly return to us for their recruiting requirements. Why? Because we provide best-fit candidates that positively impact their organizations for years.
As part of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We search both locally and around the globe to deliver leaders of the highest caliber to our clients.
In addition to providing top-notch talent to our clients, we also offer Leadership Development and Executive Coaching services. We believe organizations need outstanding resources to retain and develop great talent, and we make these resources available to our clients. These include Executive Coaching, Assessments and Board & CEO Advisory Consulting.
Gabriel’s professional expertise includes extensive participation in both local and global projects involving complex consultation for HR, head hunting, executive search, staffing and personnel related policies. His professional experience includes advising customers in various HR processes and aspects, including the design or adaptation of the organizational chart, profiles definition, personnel strategy, and salary benchmarking. Previous…
Gulsah Hammas is the founding and managing partner of Cornerstone International Group’s Retained Search office in Istanbul, Turkey. She provides a full range of services from executive search and board consulting to management appraisals, serving clients across various industries and corporate functions. Before joining Cornerstone , Gulsah established her own executive search firm in Turkey,…
Robert Lezak is a senior level, certified coach located in Poland with Cornerstone Warsaw. Typical Clients are medium and high level managers. They are specialist, sales managers, IT managers, project managers, directors and entrepreneurs. These are people who want to improve their efficiency at work or with their team. Most frequent issues approached in coaching…
I am an Executive Coach, a Team Coach and an Associate at Cornerstone Madrid in charge of developing the Talent, Leadership and Coaching Division. Most of my clients are c-level executives of multinational companies as well as owners of medium size companies. With all of them I have worked in their skills development and in…
Antonio Cassano, as Managing Partner at Cornerstone International Italia, will primarily follow Executive Search at top and medium level, projects of M&A, Management Consulting, Organizational Development for Domestic as well as International customers. Before joining Cornerstone International Antonio has operated, for about 8 years, as Business Advisor and Business Consultant to important companies in Industrial…
Alexandra joined the Cornerstone team in 2016 as Associate Partner after 21 years in senior Human Resources Management and Consulting roles in top-notch organizations in the Pharmaceutical, FMCG and Consulting field. She has held the position of the Human Resources Director with E.J. Papadopoulos S.A. as well as with Novartis Hellas, both for 5 years, and…
Ralf Knegtmans is managing partner and co-owner of De Vroedt & Thierry. Prior to his career at De Vroedt & Thierry, Ralf Knegtmans was the commercial director of an American listed flexible labour firm. Knegtmans earned his Law degree in Amsterdam, and also completed post Masters executive courses at Nyenrode Business University (Business Administration) and…
Cornerstone International Group’s member in Amsterdam is De Vroedt & Thierry, a leading firm with extensive experience in executive search, leadership consulting and talent development. Founded in 1975, the company has a broad client portfolio of listed companies, family owned businesses, pension funds and private equity funds. The culture of the company is a perfect…
My clients are talented executives faced with the opportunity of moving from managerial behaviour to that of Leadership – irrespective of the role they currently hold. Generally they have responded to the need to commit to challenging actions and have exhibited the energy borne of new found purpose. From time to time this has not…
Clive has over 30 years of experience as a business leader which clients find invaluable, whether they engage him as a coach, consultant, facilitator or executive recruiter. He is based in the UK and works globally. Most of Clive’s clients are senior level executives and business owners who are looking for world class support, as…
Mike is an experienced Board level recruiter with a specialism in Chair and Non-executive Director roles. His client base is principally UK based, mid-market companies typically privately owned, either family or private equity ownership, although he has also recruited for UK public listed companies (Plcs). Mike is a panellist and contributor to the Financial Times…
Dave moved into executive recruitment in 1988 when he joined Ward Executive on its inception, becoming MD 10 years later. As a recruiter, he has always been a generalist and has handled a very broad range of projects in a wide variety of sectors. He has worked extensively in technology-based businesses, including blue chips such…
As the Managing Partner at Cornerstone Prague in the Czech Republic, Ales brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. With over 30 years in management and HR consulting, including executive search, talent acquisition, and development, he has helped numerous organizations achieve success and improve their management practices. Ales has a proven track…
At Cornerstone Prague and iC Talents International, we are proud to offer a range of world-class consulting services to companies both locally and globally. Led by founder Aleš Jirec, who boasts over 30 years of experience, our boutique management and HR consultancy firm is dedicated to accelerating the growth and success of our clients. Our…
Mark is a well-respected business leader, developer, advisor, entrepreneur and turnaround specialist with a passion for creating, growing or restoring great businesses that continually outstrip customers’ expectations and thereby produce outstanding long-term shareholder value. He is known for his honesty, unflinching ethics, energetic and inspiring style, creative and strategic thinking, problem-solving and networking capabilities. He…
Clive has over 30 years of experience as a business leader which clients find invaluable, whether they engage him as a coach, consultant, facilitator or executive recruiter. He is based in the UK and works globally. Most of Clive’s clients are senior level executives and business owners who are looking for world class support, as…
Mike is a seasoned HR Professional focussed on business results achieved through people in a range of businesses from a Privately Owned and Managed Business, to an M.B.O., a Multi Site Manufacturing Operation, and a US owned Multi National Business. With experience in the UK, Europe, Middle East and India providing support and being responsible…
Lydia Goutas is a managing partner at Lehner Executive Partners, the Vienna office of Cornerstone International Group, where she leads an international team that serves growing multi-nationals in dynamic industries. Lydia studied Biology and Molecular Biology and worked in the field of molecular therapeutics at a leading research institute while she completed her MBA in…
Colin Parry, O.B.E. JP. is a leading figure in the movement for World Peace. In 1993, his 12-year-old son Tim was killed by an explosion set by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Colin and his wife Wendy have worked tirelessly since to build a UK charity called the Peace Centre. Colin has been a…
Anita regularly coaches, trains and mentors senior executives in organisations across all sectors both nationally and internationally. Specialising in leadership development, executive coaching, emotional intelligence and psychometric assessment, she has been pivotal to performance improvement of many individuals, teams and organisations. Anita frequently works with senior managers in outplacement and career development. In addition to…
Justin started his career managing the IT recruitment needs of major brands and high technology accounts and growing one the most successful internet service providers of the time during the early 2000’s tech boom. Having undergone professional study with the CIPD and the British Institute of Psychology he moved into retained Executive Search and Selection…
Sandor is Managing Partner of EastEuroCo, Cornerstone’s member firm in Hungary and surrounding countries. He founded the company in 1991 and for the 20+ years since, it has been operating as a generalist executive search organization, with deep experience in special sectors that include banking, telecommunication, IT , manufacturing and energy. Due to his in-depth…
Stanca’s professional profile includes experience in consultancy for specific matters related to personnel administration and policies, specific recruitment projects, executive search and head hunting, all based on her strong orientation to find HR related solutions for the client and its employees. Previous Experience Stanca’s expertise is a result of being involved in various executive search…
Stuart has an extensive career in executive resourcing spanning a total of twenty-five years. In the field of executive resourcing for B2B services organisations, he is a highly respected, authoritative figure, well known for a very professional yet user-friendly approach to business. Stuart’s recruiting career has focused on assisting multi-site support services companies with key…
Alan’s experience is wide ranging and includes Executive Search across many industries and HR Consulting, with assignments in Europe and the Middle East. As a niche player in retained Executive Search in 1996, he moved into Executive Search with a major UK practice before establishing the Auxilium Group. In recent years, Auxilium has established an…
The Middle East office of Cornerstone was opened in October 2020 by Stelios Pigadiotis, a veteran search professional, following his departure from another global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Cornerstone Dubai office pursues a mission of “Enabling Leaders and Organizations to Grow and Achieve their True Potential.” The practices served by Cornerstone International Group…
Cornerstone Liverpool is the founding office within the Auxilium-Cornerstone group, which represents Cornerstone International Group in three UK locations. Established in 1996, the company has successfully recruited in both UK, Europe and the Middle East for a diverse range of clients. Auxilium-Cornerstone has significant experience of working with US corporations who want to start up…
Founder & COO at Human Impact, High End HR services, company mostly provides professional services in the following areas: Worldwide recruitment and employment solutions Project Management and Turn Key Projects consultancy and outsourcing services Professional assistance for global organizations to establish in Israel Partner and founder of Rosh Technologies, company expertise in outsourcing of data…
Managing Director / Accredited EMCC EIA Coach & Mentor Iwona has graduated at the Warsaw University (1992) when the Polish market was just facing its first steps of changes towards establishing a new economy system of the private market. As a first generation Iwona was gaining her experience working within international environment for the first…
Senior Executive Search Consultant Joanna’s obtained her master degree in French Philology at the Cracow University in Poland. She aimed to continue to develop her professional skills within HR field while at the same time developing her professional French knowledge. Joanna’s work experience has situated her in the fields of HR consultancy in French personnel…
Founder & CEO at Human Impact, High End HR services, company mostly provides professional services in the following areas: Worldwide recruitment and employment solutions HR consultancy and outsourcing services Professional assistance for global organizations to establish in Israel Partner and founder of Rosh Technologies, company expertise in outsourcing of data verification projects Former Executive Vice…
Cornerstone Helsinki is one of four members offices of Cornerstone International Group covering the primary Scandinavian markets. Our consultants have a wide experience in several industries in senior management positions. We have a strong understanding and knowledge in Finnish markets. JP Cornerstone Finland is one of the biggest service provider in the field of Executive…
Human Impact, a member of the Cornerstone International Group, provides high-end consulting services and human resource (HR) solutions throughout Israel from its base in Tel-Aviv. The firm addresses the needs of companies ranging from multinational corporations to small scale businesses seeking to expand or enrich their operations. It offers the multidimensional advantage of in-depth experience, …
Markku brings over a decade of board and executive search experience. His recruitment expertise is mainly in the field of professional & business services, ICT & media, banking, finance & insurance, manufacturing & transportation, and FMCG. Prior to joining Cornerstone International, Markku has been a Member of the Executive Management Team in several companies in…
Cornerstone Warsaw, locally known as Business Consulting (search & selection), is a boutique style, executive search company established by its founder Iwona Szybka in 1999 and operating on the whole Polish market as well as on the international level. Team: We are three Senior Executive Search Consultants supported by in-house Researchers specializing in various industry…
Cristina’s expertise is focused on two main areas: organizational design and development and complete staffing projects. In terms of organizational design and development expertise, her background includes managing one of the main HR organization in Romania and expanding its reach on the international market over the last 15 years. She also coordinates local and international…
Jon is a graduate from Handelshoyskolen BI in Oslo (Norwegian School of Management) and has broad experience from various CEO positions within information technology, online media, software, and professional services in Scandinavia. Specialties include Executive Search in the Nordics for management and director positions, succession planning, management assessment, and audit.
Cornerstone Oslo is one of four JP Cornerstone offices in the major Nordic Capitals. Offices in Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm serve executive search needs in the Nordic Countries with network connections worldwide. We dare to say that our combined experience from qualified Executive Search assignments is matched by few. We have completed assignments placing…
Ian has over 23 years’ experience in executive search and has been a Director of Cornerstone (UK) since 1994. For Ian, success means simply: ‘recruiting candidates who exceed expectations and therefore add more value’. Many functional leaders recruited have progressed to general management, including a managing director who recently completed 10 years, having led a…
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the country’s economic and cultural heart. With its strategic location in Northern Europe, Latvia bridges Western and Eastern markets, offering a dynamic business environment and a highly skilled workforce. The country’s rich history, diverse economy, and commitment to innovation make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to expand…
Cornerstone London is a long-established, owner-managed Board & Executive Search practice delivering business-critical results through commitment to the mastery of sourcing, assessment and client engagement. Client demand has extended our activity into the provision of Interim Executives and to Executive Coaching. Established nearly 25 years ago, our work is founded on active listening – to…
H. Gerhard Benneck, founder and manager of the company is an American national. He grew up in Germany, France and the United States, thereby speaking all three languages (albeit French is a bit rusty). Gerhard attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying mechanical engineering before moving on to George Washington University and gaining a degree in Business…
Cornerstone Copenhagen is one of four JP Cornerstone offices in the major Nordic Capitals. Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm serve executive search needs in the Nordic Countries with network connections worldwide. We dare to say that our combined experience from qualified Executive Search assignments is matched by few. We have completed assignments placing several hundreds…
Patrick is a graduate of the Stockholm School of Economics with a 20 year career spanning media & entertainment, Internet, venture capital and the hedge fund industry. He has held a number of senior management positions at Kinnevik / MTG and Schibsted and was CEO at the Internet startup Bidlet, leading its growth into the…
Simonetta graduated in Psychology of Employment and Organisations at the University of Padua and is accredited by the Order of Psychologists of Lombardy as an expert in the field. She began her career in consulting as a partner at a leading recruitment firm in Milan. For many years she has held the position of Project…
After obtaining a Degree in Science Philosophy from the State University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Tommaso began his work experience with the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (National Research Council). His specialization was New Technologies of Information. Tomasso filled several Management positions in the STET Group of companies. He became Director of Programs and Production of…
Gianni Perri is Managing Partner of Cornerstone International in Italy. He works with customers from leading organizations mainly Aerospace & Defense, Transportation, Professional Services, Consumer Products, Media & Entertainment, and Oil & Gas. Leveraging his extensive HR Management experience, Gianni focuses on C-level and second line assignments for Italian organizations as well on Organization Development…
Based in Rome, Giuseppe Campellone is Managing Partner of Cornerstone International in Italy. He works with customers from leading organizations mainly in Aerospace & Defense, Logistics & Infrastructure, Professional Services, and Oil & Gas. Calling upon his extensive management and search experience, Giuseppe focuses on C-level and second line assignments for Italian and International organizations….
About Cornerstone International Italy Cornerstone International, established in May 2009 by Gianni Perri and Giuseppe Campellone, specializes in Executive Search, Assessment, Coaching, Organizational Development, and Development Courses. The main office is located in Rome, with senior consultants in Milan supporting all areas of expertise. The Rome office, supported by senior researchers and consultants, has successfully…
Natalia Prokhorova is the Managing Partner of Cornerstone Riga. Founded in 1996, her team works mainly for western companies operating in the territory of former USSR. The client list includes companies from Automotive, Construction, Engineering, Production, Oil& Gas, IT, Retail, and other industries. Previous Experience Prior to founding Cornerstone Riga, Natalia was Executive Search Consultant…
