Kestria - Fluent in Finding Leaders. And Fluent in Trust.

But for those of us who have been part of Kestria, there’s something more. Something you won’t find on a slide deck or in a capabilities brochure. It’s the relationships. The spirit. The trust.

That was palpable once again at our recent Annual Conference in Budapest – a gathering of about 70 partners from around the world.

And this time, there was a very special moment at the heart of it all: Jan Holmström, one of our founding partners from Finland, was welcomed at the conference – more than 30 years after helping to establish the foundation of what would become Kestria.

From a Vision to a Global Community

Back in 1993, Jan Holmström and a small group of like-minded European executive search professionals saw something others didn’t.

They believed that the world of executive search was going global – and that clients would need more than fragmented, local support. What they created was not just a network – but a community of executive search entrepreneurs, each deeply rooted in their local markets and united by a shared commitment to excellence and integrity.

The founders didn’t grow Kestria for scale alone. They grew it with purpose – selecting each new partner carefully, making sure values, mindset and chemistry aligned. And that philosophy still defines who we are today.

What Sets Kestria Apart

Yes, we are global. Yes, we work seamlessly across borders. And yes, we speak the language of leadership.

But what truly sets Kestria apart is the way we work together.

We often say we're not just partners – we’re family. And while that might sound like a cliché, those who have joined us at our conferences or worked with us on international assignments know it’s real.

There’s a genuine sense of connection, of mutual respect, of shared ambition. And that human foundation makes all the difference – not only for us, but for our clients.

Because when you engage Kestria, you’re not hiring a name. You’re gaining access to a community of trusted professionals – deeply invested in your success, fully aligned in approach, and fluent in collaboration.

A Very Personal Reflection

I had the honour of serving as Kestria’s first President from 2004 to 2009. It was a formative time for the alliance – and for many of us personally. We laid the groundwork for sustainable international cooperation, strengthened governance structures, and nurtured the spirit of partnership that defines us to this day.

Looking back now, I’m proud of what we’ve built together – and even more of what we’ve preserved: That sense of trust. That entrepreneurial drive. That human connection.

It’s rare to find a global organization where strategy and warmth go hand in hand – but at Kestria, they do.

Fluent in Finding Leaders - and in Building Relationships

As our clients navigate increasingly complex leadership needs, they seek more than just search providers.

They look for trusted advisors. For partners who listen, challenge, and deliver – consistently, across borders and over time.

That’s what Kestria stands for. It’s in our processes. It’s in our mindset. It’s in our people.

And if you ever get a chance to join one of our gatherings, you’ll feel it too.

Kestria – fluent in finding leaders. And fluent in the kind of partnership that makes all the difference.