Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates
Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates is a Zurich-based executive search boutique founded in 1993, placing C-suite executives and board members for multinationals, family businesses, PE firms, and NGOs globally via a fixed-fee retained model, integrating into Spencer Stuart from June 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates does
Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates is a Zurich-based, founder-led executive search boutique founded in 1993 that places C-suite executives and board members for multinational corporations, family businesses, private equity portfolio companies, NGOs, and high-growth startups. The firm concentrates exclusively on top-management mandates — CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CHRO, Legal & Compliance, and Executive/Non-Executive Board positions — operating under a fixed flat-fee retained model with minimums of USD 120,000 for board searches and USD 180,000 for C-suite searches, billed in equal installments over three to four months. It deliberately accepts only a limited number of mandates to preserve service quality and founder involvement.
The firm's core technology is a proprietary candidate database built over more than 40 years of retained search work, refreshed per mandate with primary research and supplemented by external research firms specialized by industry, geography, or function. The go-to-market is entirely direct and founder-led: Dr. Bjørn Johansson personally oversees each engagement, with demand generated by reputation, press visibility as opinion leaders in Swiss and EMEA board advisory, the GBA alliance (a founding-membership network of owner-led board-level boutiques across Australia, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and Brazil), and a partnership with Chair Mentors International (CMi) for ongoing CEO and board mentoring. The team comprises 9-10 professionals in Zurich (Founder/CEO, CFO, Personal Assistant, 2 Consultants, 2 Partners, and 3 Project Assistants), with placements spanning 40+ countries since founding and 17 nationalities across 4 continents in the most recent two years.
On June 10, 2026 the firm announced an agreement to integrate into Spencer Stuart, a leading global advisory firm, with Johansson and the team joining Spencer Stuart and integration overseen by Dr. Sigrid Artho. The transaction effectively ends the firm's run as an independent boutique and folds the Switzerland franchise, founder, and accumulated relationships into a global platform.
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates
- Legal name
- Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates AG
- Website
- https://johansson.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates is a Zurich-based executive search boutique founded in 1993, placing C-suite executives and board members for multinationals, family businesses, PE firms, and NGOs globally via a fixed-fee retained model, integrating into Spencer Stuart from June 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search & Board Advisory
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)
Keywords
Where Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Retained Executive Search – C-Suite Placements: Fixed flat-fee retained search engagements for CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CHRO, and Legal & Compliance officer searches. Fee based on complexity of the mandate and expected compensation of the executive. Billing spread over three or four months in equal installments. Minimum fee of USD 180,000 for top-management level searches.
- Retained Executive Search – Board-Level Placements: Fixed flat-fee retained search for Non-Executive and Executive Board positions (Presidents and Board members). Minimum fee of USD 120,000 for board-level searches. Same billing structure as C-suite placements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | C-Suite Executive Search – minimum engagement |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Non-Executive/ Executive Board Search – minimum engagement |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates is a globally operating Board Advisory Firm based in Zurich that provides retained executive search and board placement services exclusively at the Non-Executive and Executive Board level. Its core offerings include C-suite executive search (CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CHRO, Legal & Compliance), Non-Executive and Executive Board placement (Presidents and Board/Supervisory Board members), and Board Advisory consulting. All mandates are handled on a fixed flat-fee basis (minimum USD 180,000 for top management and USD 120,000 for board searches), billed in equal installments over three or four months.
Product overview
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates is a Board Advisory Firm offering a unified portfolio of executive talent services. The core offering consists of Executive Search Services for C-suite placements (CEO, CFO, and executive leadership), Non-Executive Board Placement for Presidents and Board/Supervisory Board members, and Board Advisory consulting services. All services operate at the Non-Executive and Executive Board level exclusively, using a retained search model with fixed fee pricing. The firm does not accept mandates below top management level. Their minimum fee for top management searches is USD 180,000 and USD 120,000 for board positions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Executive Search Services (C-Suite)
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 50% of placements in the last two years were women
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Global Board Advisors (GBA)coreFounding member of this exclusive alliance of the world's most reputable Executive Search Boutiques. All member firms are owner-led and exclusively operate at Non-Executive and Executive Board level. Members share same values, client focus, and quality of delivery. The alliance enables cross-referrals and global reach for clients seeking multi-jurisdiction searches.
- Maritana PartnersminorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.
- Crist Kolder AssociatesminorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in Chicago, IL, USA.
- Chelsea PartnersminorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- NB Lemercier & AssociésminorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in Paris, France.
- Board Consultants InternationalminorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, and Stuttgart, Germany.
- Lygon GroupminorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in London, UK.
- Board Advisors Japan Inc.minorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in Tokyo, Japan.
- INWI ConsultingminorPartner firm of Global Board Advisors, based in São Paulo, Brazil.
- Chair Mentors International Ltd (CMi)coreDr. Bjørn Johansson is a Partner at CMi, the world's leading mentoring partner for CEOs, CEO succession candidates, CFOs, Chairs, and Non-Executive Directors. This extends the firm's service offering into ongoing leadership mentoring alongside executive search.
- Spencer StuartcoreOn June 10, 2026, Spencer Stuart announced an agreement to integrate Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates into Spencer Stuart. The firm will strengthen Spencer Stuart's competitive position and deepen its relevance in Switzerland. Dr. Sigrid Artho will oversee the integration. Dr. Bjørn Johansson will join Spencer Stuart along with his team. This represents a significant strategic partnership/integration with one of the largest global executive search firms.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm operating at the board and CEO level, with a strong private equity and family business practice closely mirroring the subject's focus areas.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global leadership advisory firm focused on executive search across C-suite and board mandates, with deep coverage in financial services, industrial, and consumer verticals relevant to the subject's client base.
- Spencer Stuart: One of the world's largest executive search and leadership advisory firms, and the firm integrating Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates as of June 2026. Directly comparable at the C-suite and board search level with global infrastructure.
- Korn Ferry: Largest global organizational consulting firm with a substantial executive search practice operating at the C-suite and board level across industries.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with a board and CEO practice that competes directly for the senior-level mandates Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates specializes in, particularly in EMEA.
Direct peers
- Pedersen & Partners: Boutique executive search firm operating across EMEA and emerging markets, comparable in boutique scale and senior-level search focus.
- Odgers Berndtson: Boutique-led international executive search firm with strong EMEA presence, comparable as an owner-led practice focused on board and CEO-level placements.
- Board Advisors International: German-based board advisory boutique and Global Board Advisors partner, comparable as a fellow GBA member firm focused on Non-Executive and Executive Board placements.
- Eric Salmon & Partners: European boutique executive search firm specializing in board-level and CEO mandates, directly comparable in boutique positioning and C-suite focus.
- Lygon Group: London-based board advisory boutique and Global Board Advisors partner, comparable in founder-led model and exclusive focus on board-level mandates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates social profiles
Digital presenceDr. Bjorn Johansson Associates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates
What does Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates do?
Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates is a globally operating Board Advisory Firm based in Zurich that provides retained executive search and board placement services exclusively at the Non-Executive and Executive Board level. Its core offerings include C-suite executive search (CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CHRO, Legal & Compliance), Non-Executive and Executive Board placement (Presidents and Board/Supervisory Board members), and Board Advisory consulting. All mandates are handled on a fixed flat-fee basis (minimum USD 180,000 for top management and USD 120,000 for board searches), billed in equal installments over three or four months.
Is Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates a public or private company?
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates founded?
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates was founded in 1993. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates based?
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retained Executive Search – C-Suite Placements are the primary driver. The others are retained Executive Search – Board-Level Placements.
Who are Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, Korn Ferry and Russell Reynolds Associates. Direct peers are Pedersen & Partners, Odgers Berndtson, Board Advisors International, Eric Salmon & Partners and Lygon Group.
Does Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates.
What industry is Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates in?
Dr. Bjorn Johansson Associates's product category is Executive Search & Board Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAA, C-Suite & Board Search. Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.