AC Lordi, an accounting and risk management consulting and executive search firm, split its search practice off into a new stand-alone company: Xplora Search Group.

AC Lordi Search leaders Jeff Olshin and Kevin Vesci will take over management of Xplora as co-owners, exchanging their interests in AC Lordi for 100% ownership of the new firm. Sara Babitt will be an investor and manage Xplora’s Philadelphia office. All current AC Lordi Search employees will be retained by Xplora, and the companies will maintain their current locations.

“AC Lordi expanded into the search business in 2003 to complement our consulting services, but the significant growth we’ve experienced on both sides has made it clear that under certain circumstances our interests differ,” said AC Lordi CEO and Managing Principal Frank Lordi. “AC Lordi Search becoming Xplora is a win-win for our companies, our employees and our clients.”

The transaction relieves Xplora from operating restrictions imposed by the consulting practice, and allows the firm to broaden its scope to encompass staffing as well as further expand its information technology search services. For AC Lordi, the transaction eliminates reputational risk to the consulting practice and allows the firm to focus exclusively on its core areas of expertise.

The company is headquartered in Blue Bell, Penn.