Journeyed a long way to become one of the leading global executive search and advisory firms

Founded in 1988, EMA Partners today is one of the leading global executive search and leadership advisory firms.

2016-2019

  • EMA Partners completes 30 years
  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence in Latin America – Chile, and Peru
  • EMA Partners expands its presence in Europe – in Netherlands, and the Czech Republic
  • Alberto Miranda elected as the new Global Chairman
  • EMA Partners returns to Singapore for a global meeting
  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence in the Middle East by setting up an office in Dubai

2013-2015

  • Chris Hardy elected as the Global Chairman
  • James Douglas, our Founding Partner, retires
  • EMA Partners held their global meeting in São Paulo, Brazil for the first time

2010-2012

  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding offices in Tokyo, Japan and Miami, U.S.A

2007-2009

  • EMA Partners adds an office in Warsaw, Poland
  • EMA Partners held their global meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the first time
  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in Istanbul, Turkey
  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in Reykjavik, Iceland

2004-2006

  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in Johannesburg, South Africa

2001-2003

  • EMA Partners established its presence in India by adding offices in Mumbai, Gurgaon, Bangalore and Chennai
  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in Copenhagen, Denmark
  • EMA Partners adds offices in Toronto, Canada; Moscow, Russia and Miami, USA
  • EMA Partners strengthen its presence by adding an office in Helsinki, Finland

1995-1997

  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in São Paulo, Brazil
  • EMA Partners held their global meeting in Toronto, Canada for the first time
  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in Stockholm, Sweden

1992-1994

  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in Mexico City, Mexico
  • Josefina Stoopen, a highly respected executive search practitioner, joined EMA Partners in 1994. She had previously established her firm in Mexico City in the late 70’s and is still regarded as an industry pioneer

1990-1993

  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding offices in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Montreal, Canada
  • EMA Partners strengthens its presence by adding an office in Zurich, Switzerland
  • EMA Partners held their global meeting in Singapore, in the Asia Pacific region, for the first time

1988-1989

  • Carol Speed and James Douglas made an important decision to take Kynaston International, to a new level.
  • Along with Norman Hampel and Jackie Morgan from Kynaston International, they met with Yves Kernevez from Paris, Gottfried Schmitz from Frankfurt and two representatives from Brussels, Christian de Wachter and Kathleen Guerin to form an association.
  • The association was named: European Management Associates (EMA) registered in London in March 1989.
  • Many contacts throughout Europe were made and many trips took place expanding the firm with new offices in Spain (Status), The Netherlands (Win de Man), Italy (Dario Prina) and Belgium (Jerry Rubin)
  • In mid 1990, EMA already had 7 Associates and had already designed a first brochure.
  • Celebrating a meeting in Dublin, EMA merges with MERC, an association of four search partners in the USA, Singapore, and Ireland, and was rechristened EMA Partners International
  • EMA Partners opens new offices in New York, Boston, Singapore and Dublin
  • EMA Partners continues to expand and add Partner offices throughout Europe and the USA By the end of 1989, a number of independent firms joined EMA Partners, including Lauer Sbarbaro of Chicago.
  • It continued to attract strong independent firms, due to its philosophy and business model of establishing a global network while maintaining local expertise

1985-1987

  • James Douglas and Carol Speed of Kynaston International Ltd, London plan to create a European network of Executive Search Firms jointly with Yves Kernevez ofYves Kernevez Conseils, Paris
  • First meeting was held in London with representatives of a German and a Belgian firm
  • Ed Mruk from Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young) formed a network which he called MERC, with International partners from the USA, Singapore and Ireland