Hofer & Stelmach — Global Executive Search
Not just C-suite. We find the executives, the specialists, and the subject-matter experts that European companies can't source on their own — drawing from a talent pool across Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet region that most search firms don't know exists.
50,000+
Executive placements since 2016
9 Weeks
Average C-suite search-to-placement, Q1 2026
97.5%
Client satisfaction across 10 countries
About Us
Founded in 2016
Built from the ground up in Budapest. Now operating across 10 countries on three continents.
150,000+ Placements
C-suite executives, functional directors, and hard-to-find industry specialists — placed at Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing challengers alike.
East-West Talent Bridge
We specialize in sourcing C-suite and senior executives from post-Soviet markets — Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia and beyond — and placing them with European companies that value deep expertise over familiar names.
97.5% Satisfaction
Measured annually. Earned through results, not promises.
The Talent Bridge Nobody Else Has Built
Most executive search firms fish in the same pond. We don't. Since 2016, we've built one of the most extensive networks of senior executive talent across the post-Soviet region — and a proven track record of placing that talent inside European organizations.
Leadership Gap
70% of EU companies report difficulty finding senior specialists with deep technical expertise. We solve that.
Both Sides
EU compliance. Eastern culture. We speak both fluently — and know what it takes to make a placement stick.
Our Selection Process
We combine structured assessment with direct conversation. No black-box algorithms — every shortlist is built by a consultant who understands your business.
How We Measure Success
Placement is just the start. We track retention, performance, and client satisfaction at 6, 12, and 24 months.
Our Partnership Model
We stay involved after the hire. If something isn't working, we want to know — and we act on it.
How We Work
Culture First
We learn your organization before we search. A wrong cultural fit costs more than a delayed hire.
500+ Active Contacts
Our network is curated, not scraped. We know these people — and they know us.
Rigorous Assessment
Our evaluation process cuts placement misalignment by 50% compared to standard search methods.
5+ Year Average Tenure
Our placements stay. That's the metric that matters most to us.
Industries We Serve
Financial Services
CFOs, CEOs, CTOs — placed at multinational banks, asset managers, and insurance groups.
Technology
From Series B to IPO, we've built executive teams at companies that went on to define their categories.
Manufacturing & Consumer Goods
Deep experience across electrical engineering, maritime construction, metallurgy, and brand leadership.
Energy & Utilities
Specialists in renewable energy transition — placing executives who can lead the shift, not just manage the status status quo.
What Our Clients Say
Sarah Mitchell, CEO
"They didn't just fill a role — they found someone who changed how our leadership team operates. The impact was immediate."
James Hernandez, CFO
"The financial leaders they placed brought ideas we hadn't considered. Shareholder value went up. So did our confidence in the process."
Dr. Elena Patel, COO
"They understood healthcare. Not just the titles — the actual demands of the role. That made all the difference."
Dmitri Volkov, Chairman
«Они нашли именно того лидера, который был нужен нашей компании. Профессионализм на высшем уровне.» — Dmitri Volkov, Chairman, Volkov Capital Group
Our Team
Deep Industry Experience
Our consultants average 15+ years in executive leadership roles — they've sat on both sides of the table.
Truly Global
We work in 10 countries, in multiple languages, with genuine cultural understanding — not just a local office on a map.
Recognized by the Industry
International Executive Search Federation award recipients. 97% client retention. We let the numbers speak.
Client Results
GreenTech Corp
"The executive they placed drove a 100% expansion of our sustainability portfolio within 18 months." — Mark Johnson, COO
FinServe
"They cut our search timeline by 67%. We had the right person in seat before our competitors even started looking." — Emily Nguyen, Director of Talent Acquisition
NexGen Solutions
"Their work directly contributed to a 20% revenue increase in FY2023. That's not a coincidence." — Sarah Whitman, CFO
Meridian Bank
"They found the exact profile we needed for our international expansion — someone we wouldn't have found on our own." — Thomas Delgado, HR Director
Atlas Manufacturing
"Structured, data-driven, and no surprises. Exactly what you want from a search partner." — Laura Kim, CEO
The Numbers
Across every engagement, we track what actually matters to our clients.
36 Days
Faster to Hire
25% quicker than the industry average search-to-placement timeline
15%
More Diverse Leadership
Measurable improvement in leadership diversity across client organizations
50%
Financial Uplift
Average improvement in financial performance following our placements
These aren't projections — they're outcomes from real engagements across our client base.
Get in Touch
Leadership
Martin Hofer
Founding Partner
martin.hofer@hsglobal.ch
Arthur Stelmach
Founding Partner & CEO
arthur.stelmach@hsglobal.ch
Contact
General inquiries: info@hsglobal.ch; +43 699 81314587
Our Offices
  • Budapest (HQ): Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut 46-4/102, Hungary
  • Vienna: Schottenring 16/2, 1010, Austria