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