Practice

Technology & Innovation

At the beginning of a new decade, the technology industry is faced with a tricky balancing act: how to continue to drive innovative solutions while grappling with the side effects of those solutions in the global economy. The challenge here is the scale that technology can achieve and the evolutionary aspect of mixing digital and physical worlds.

Industry-wide change is rapid, affecting business models, the competitive landscape, customer types, buying patterns, M&A activity and more. Technology has grown far more complex. Infrastructure products, in the cloud age, have morphed into myriad choices around software-as-a-service applications, data tools, and a stack of evolving technologies, including blockchain, AI, IoT and 5G.

Media is evolving toward an increasingly direct-to-consumer model, as apps, social media, mobile and streaming become preferred formats for information and entertainment delivery. Leaders must keep pace with a unique combination of vision, cross-platform experience, the agility to respond to new sources of data, and – perhaps most importantly – the capacity to build and inspire diverse teams with varied skillsets.

Change in the mobility market is constant with evolving business models for transporting people and goods. As instability increases, competition grows, regulations change and markets shift it becomes more important than ever to ensure that a leadership framework is in place that is capable of identifying potential, driving development, accelerating readiness, and energizing transitions. 5G in particular will leverage and extend the R&D and capital investments made in prior mobile technologies to advance mobile to a platform which delivers the ubiquity, low latency, and adaptability required for future uses.

With the advent of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, it has never been more important for businesses to keep on top of their cybersecurity measures. The Chief Information Security Officer and their team must be able to advise the board and the CEO directly. We can help you build teams with the right competencies and recruit leaders who can balance security requirements with business objectives.

Thanks to the sweeping wave of digitization, everything from software to transportation can now be sold as a service. Digital practices are clashing with older ways of doing business, breaking down geographical boundaries. We provide both digital and legacy companies with the leadership to harness disruption, rather than succumb to it.

What We Do

In view of these dynamics, leaders must focus on innovation and active adaptation. Those who enforce a culture of integrity, sustainability, corporate responsibility, and adaptability—while also focusing on cost optimization, security, market positioning, and operating efficiencies—will ultimately succeed. It is no longer enough to adopt best practices; contemporary leadership must imagine and invent next practices. The global war for talent is real and must be an organizational priority to maintain the pace of innovation needed to compete. At August Leadership, we are well suited to help our clients win that war for talent.

Our Expertise

  • Cloud Computing
  • Mobile and Wireless
  • IoT/IIoT
  • Machine Learning and AI
  • Cyber Security
  • Mobility and Automotive

Practice Team

Michael Maeder

Partner

Michael is Managing Partner of August Leadership in China and co-founder of IOT ONE, a global IoT consulting practice.

Chun Liew

Partner

Chun has more than 12 years executive search experience.

John Purkiss

Partner

John has over 25 years of experience in executive search.  He has recruited senior executives and board members for a wide range of companies.

James Gathercole 

Partner

James has a keen interest in innovative, technology-enabled industrial, healthcare, and consumer businesses. Clients value his deep understanding of the essential leadership characteristics of Chinese executives who succeed in western organisations. 

Markos Moya

Partner

Markos leads operations in Australia. With over 30 years of experience, Markos focuses on the Technology, Private Equity, and Retail industries.

Nicole Kamaleson

Partner

Focused on mission-driven or for-purpose organizations, Nicole has led senior executive searches at the Board, C-suite, Vice President, and director levels internationally.

John Durkey

Partner

John possesses over 25 years of experience in the retained search industry and has executed assignments across all functional disciplines in aerospace & aviation, healthcare & life sciences and industrial technology.

Waichiro Hayashi

Partner

Waichiro offers consultative support and expertise to firms seeking improved performance through leadership change and counseling.

Laura Raynak

Partner

Laura brings over 20 years of executive search experience in the life sciences and healthcare industries. 

Rick Helliwell

Partner

Rick Helliwell has 25+ years of executive recruitment and HR experience in various business settings, including large corporations, SMEs, startups, and professional services.

Lukas Beech

Partner

Lukas Beech is one of the most influential search consultants in Asia, with about 20 years of deep expertise, especially in the Korean market.

Peter Grech

Partner

Peter has over 20 years of experience in an executive search spanning several continents. 

Arne Adrian

Partner

Arne specializes in top management positions in trade, FMCG, luxury good and media industries. In addition to executive search, Arne leads a personnel diagnostics business called Scan Up AG.

Mathew Bates

Partner

Mathew Bates is a partner leading the education, technology, and government sectors for August Leadership.

Anke Janssen

Partner

Anke has a long-standing career in executive search and has conducted board level and senior executive mandates across a range of geographies and industry sectors.

Hank Flores

Partner

Hank concentrates on assignments for senior leaders who drive growth, typically for companies seeking to improve strategic focus on their customers and consumers. 

Michelle Partipilo

Partner

Her experience spans a range of industries and sectors including but not limited to sports & entertainment, technology, not-for-profit, travel/tourism & hospitality, alternative energy and real estate. Functionally, Michelle’s specializes in VP, C-suite, and Board level searches primarily.

Ken Greger

Partner

With an impressive depth of domestic and international experience, Ken is well-regarded as a thought leader and advisor to the travel and hospitality industry.

Mrinalini Singh

Partner

Highly driven and a perfectionist by nature, Mrinalini is committed to her clients, candidates and colleagues.

Daanish Iqbal

Partner

As a highly accomplished relationship builder with a track record of excellence, Daanish has played a pivotal role in placing over 120 CEO and C-level executives in his career.

Mary Macleod

Partner

As a trusted leadership advisor to boards, Mary chairs the Board & CEO Practice at August Leadership.

Kelly Smith O'Hara

Partner

Kelly is a seasoned executive search advisor known for her expertise in placing top-tier HR executives.

Thomas Fuller

Partner

Thomas Fuller is a seasoned senior leadership advisor and executive search consultant who serves clients across the global Consumer sector.

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