London-based executive search firm Pedersen & Partners announced that it has appointed Gary Williams as CEO.

Williams, who was previously Deputy Managing Partner, will have full profit and loss responsibility and lead the firm. He has over 17 years of Executive Search Consulting experience. Williams joined Pedersen & Partners in 2014 as the Head of South East Asia. He was later promoted to the Head of Asia, and in 2017 to Deputy Managing Partner.

Pedersen & Partners’ founder Poul Pedersen, after over 18 years as Managing Partner, will be assuming the role of Executive Chairman. As Executive Chairman, Pedersen will continue working full-time for Pedersen & Partners. He will lead the shareholders’ agenda and be responsible for opening new countries. Additionally, he will focus on an interim basis on relevant existing offices that require significant change.

Pedersen & Partners operates 57 wholly owned offices in 53 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia & the Americas.