Swiss-based executive search and leadership advisory services firm Egon Zehnder International appointed Edilson Camara as CEO, effective immediately.

Camara began his career in Egon Zehnder’s Sao Paulo office 20 years ago working with industrial clients. In 2001, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to open Egon Zehnder’s first office there, ultimately becoming leader of the Brazilian practice while growing the business.

Camara was appointed to the firm’s executive committee in 2009, where he is also a member of the finance committee. In 2013, he moved to Canada to lead the practice across three offices, doubling the firm’s size across Canada and tripling its profits. He is now based in Toronto.

He replaces Rajeev Vasudeva, who is leaving Egon Zehnder effective 31 December. Vasudeva has held leadership roles at the firm for the past 25 years and the CEO position for the past five years.

Egon Zehnder first announced that Vasudeva would step down in July 2018. Vasudeva’s resignation came after losing an election to become the next chair to Jill Ader (Chairwoman of Egon Zehnder). In a memo, Ader said that Vasudeva had decided to resign as he felt it was “timely and appropriate for him to hand over the baton as CEO.”

Egon Zehnder has offices in 40 countries. It ranks fifth on Staffing Industry Analysts’ list of largest retained search firms in the US.