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Firm appoints new President
Ferguson Partners, the global talent management firm, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Gemma Burgess as its President.
Burgess, a long-tenured leader in the firm, has been with Ferguson Partners since 2007, most recently as the President of U.S. Search. As the firm’s President, Burgess will lead the global executive search business and oversee its human resources and marketing functions across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Ferguson Partners Chairman and CEO Bill Ferguson shared, “Gemma’s experience and insights, into both our industry sectors and clients’ needs, are unparalleled. Her strong, core values of integrity, excellence and a passion for what she does, as well as her ability to build client relationships and a community culture across our firm, make her the clear choice for our firm’s President.”
Burgess is a recognized industry expert at diversity in recruitment, private equity, investment management, international markets, real estate investment trust (REIT), structured finance, hedge fund and investment banking.
“I am honored by the opportunity to serve as Ferguson Partners’ President,” said Burgess. “It is such a privilege to be part of an organization and culture of talented, passionate professionals that deliver the highest quality services and most innovative leadership solutions to the world’s best clients.”
Burgess’ appointment arrives as Ferguson Partners expands its global business offerings and expertise with the addition of several key, new appointments and offices across regions.
A new leader for the firm’s U.S. Search business
In the U.S., John Wasley joins the firm as Senior Managing Director and Head of U.S. Search. Most recently with Spencer Stuart, Wasley is based Los Angeles and splits his time between the firm’s Los Angeles and New York offices. Wasley’s twenty-three-year career in executive search across the real estate and financial services sectors has focused on C-level positions, Board recruitment, and succession planning, and he has significant experience with public and private firms. “We are thrilled that John has brought his leadership skills and executive recruitment experience to the firm and to our clients,” shared Burgess. “His extensive experience and rich perspectives on executive search in the real estate and financial services sectors, and unparalleled candidate knowledge, will add great breadth to our U.S. Search team.”
Industry leader joins European team as Strategic Advisor on growth
In Europe, Martin Samworth, one of the real estate industry’s most well-regarded professionals, joins Ferguson Partners as Strategic Advisor with extensive experience from CBRE, where he served as Group President & CEO, EMEA/APAC, building and driving a range of highly successful business and investment initiatives for international clients. For Ferguson Partners, Samworth brings a depth of leadership, business growth and multi-region expertise.
Burgess noted the firm’s excitement in welcoming Samworth: “We are delighted to have such a widely respected leader as Martin — one of the best-connected professionals in the real estate industry — join us.” And Serena Althaus, leader of Ferguson Partners’ London office and head of its European search business, added, “Martin’s breadth of experience and deep network across the sector will be invaluable to our team and clients.”
Key additions in Asia-Pacific will drive expanded services, regions
Asia-Pacific, Ferguson Partners has added two key team members and opened an office in Sydney, extending its global reach and portfolio of services.
In Singapore, the firm welcomes Director Ben Brandon-King, formerly with Aberdeen Standard Investments, who will build its pan-Asian management consulting and executive compensation capabilities across the region. Ben brings a depth of investment, leadership, and multi-regional expertise.
“We are delighted to have an industry expert like Ben join our team to build a new business line in APAC, and one that will offer additional, expanded organizational solutions valuable to our clients,” said Max d’Ambrumenil, leader of Ferguson Partners’ Asia Pacific business. “His deep experience with organization and governance issues, operational effectiveness, product design and investor engagement — will help our Asia Pacific clients accomplish their most vital strategic and financial goals.”
The Sydney arrival of leading real estate and infrastructure-focused executive search consultant Matthew Hardy solidifies Ferguson Partners’ Australia presence. As Managing Director and Head of Australia, Hardy will lead the firm’s efforts on the continent, following his role as co-founder of Conari Partners, an executive search and advisory consultancy to the real estate industry. Hardy’s client expertise includes a broad range of real estate fund managers and investment groups including REITS, investment banks, private equity, and more.
Added d’Ambrumenil, “Matt Hardy’s vast experience in the real estate and infrastructure industries brings a distinctive, broad-based purview to his client expertise, and we are very excited Matt will be our team’s anchor in Sydney, as we expand our services across Australia, the newest location in our growing APAC capabilities.”
For further information or media inquiries contact Lee Shoquist at [email protected].