UK-based executive search firm Cobalt has appointed James Wakefield as its new chief executive officer with immediate effect. Wakefield first joined Cobalt in 2007 after working with international recruitment firm Michael Page. Prior to joining Michael Page, he served in the British Army and received a Queen’s Commendation. Cobalt provides executive search services to the real estate, finance, accounting and banking, construction and engineering sectors.

Quess Corp, the Indian Staffing firm, announced the appointment of Manoj Kulgod as Chief Digital Officer. Kulgod has worked in the IT industry for more than 27 years and has worked with Aon Hewitt, Spring and the Government of India. He has more than 13 years of leadership experience as CIO, CTO or Head of Technology in many corporations. He will be responsible for designing and implementing IT Strategy and leading Quess’s digitisation efforts.

Executive search firm ZRG Partners has opened an office in London where it will appoint Steve Banks as managing director and UK country head. Banks has more than 20 years in the search industry in the UK working with Michael Page and Howgate Sable.  By the end of the year, ZRG expects to have a team of five managing directors in in London to further support its expansion plans.

Gibbs Hybrid Workforce Solutions has opened a new office in Manchester which will be its new Talent Sourcing and delivery Hub. The hub will service its Blue Chip and FTSE100 clients. Ameera Francis, Director of Talent Sourcing and Delivery at Gibbs Hybrid Workforce Solutions, who also previously worked for Hudson Global Resources, said, “Opening a larger office in Manchester is a natural business progression for us, we aim to provide our clients with a second-to-none service that is on their doorstep.” Gibbs also stated that they want to be able to offer ex-military professionals in the Manchester area who may need extra support to find work and use their many talents in civilian life. “That’s why we are creating the hub for them at our new premises,” Francis said.

US-based recruitment firm Major, Lindsey & Africa has launched a new service known as Legal Talent Management Consulting which will be led by Miriam Frank, a partner and vice president. The new service provides lawyers and legal teams with customised consulting services designed to increase performance, productivity and engagement. Frank has more than 30 years of experience as a lawyer, executive search consultant and senior executive.

Korn Ferry announced that Rohan De Rozario has joined as Senior Client Partner, based out of the firm's London office. De Rozario has more than 20 years of experience in the field of HR strategy and operations, joining Korn Ferry from Ernst & Young, where he was Senior Director of Global People Advisory Services.  De Rozario also served as Global Head of HR Service Quality at HSBC Bank.

Russian executive search firm Morgan Hunt has named Maria Yankovskaya as head of its London office. Yankovskaya has more than 18 years of experience in executive search, including 10 years as a consultant in the banking practice of Ward Howell International in Moscow. Morgan Hunt provides executive search services for charities, education, housing, health organizations, and property & construction companies.