Gerard Daniels appoints CEO

Executive search firm Gerard Daniels has updated its leadership structure, with the appointment of Alison Gaines as chief executive and the recruitment of Steve Scudamore as chairman of its advisory board.

Founding partners Lloyd Smith and Michael McAnearney will continue in the business as directors, working with key clients and on business development.

“They have asked me to take the reins on the growth strategy,” Ms Gaines said.

Ms Gaines, who was previously managing partner of the firm’s Asia Pacific practice, will continue to run its board consulting practice.

As chief executive, she will also have oversight of the group’s four offices.

“It’s a broader role, and I will be spending more time on the ground in London and Houston,” Ms Gaines said.

Ms Gaines is part of a trio of high-achieving sisters - Elizabeth Gaines is chief executive of Fortescue Metals Group and Jo Gaines is deputy chief of staff to premier Mark McGowan.

Her promotion marks a notable transition for the Perth-based firm, which specialises in filling senior executive roles.

“Alison’s appointment marks the first time in our 33-year history that the CEO role has not been held by a founding partner of the company,” Messrs Smith and McAnearney said in a statement.

The firm has also created an advisory board led by Mr Scudamore and including the founding partners and Ms Gaines.

Mr Scudamore had a 30-year career as a partner with KPMG and has a portfolio of non-executive board positions including at MDA Insurance, Pilbara Minerals and Australis Oil & Gas.

His most recent appointment, in March this year, was to the board of Malaysian group Selangor Properties.

Gerard Daniels has 32 staff and 17 consultants across its four offices, including Sydney.

The Perth office has 20 staff and nine consultants.

Its staff complement included a research team that services all four offices.

The firm has also restructured its international leadership, to create a matrix structure across geographies and sectors.

Kenny Baillie, managing partner in the Houston office, has been promoted to head of oil and gas in the Americas and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).

Andrew Willson, managing partner in the London office, has been appointed head of mining in the Americas and EMEA.

Gerard Daniels' main competitors include Heidrick & Struggles, which opened a Perth office in 2015, and Lester Blades, which recruited Suzanne Ardagh as a consultant earlier this year.

Other competitors include Derwent Executive, Taylor Executive Recruitment and Korn Ferry.