Alliance Partnership International

What Alliance Partnership International does

Alliance Partnership International is a privately held association of independent executive search and HR consultancy firms headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, founded in 1993 by Santiago Tarín Puig of Master Consulting Group. The organization coordinates a federation of 17+ member firms operating across 26+ countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, enabling member firms to jointly deliver cross-border executive search and talent advisory mandates while retaining their independent legal status, brand identity, and local client relationships.

The network offers four core service lines: Executive Search (identifying and placing C-suite, board, and senior management candidates); Assessment (validated methodologies for selection, development, and promotion decisions); Consulting (operational and advisory solutions); and Coaching (individual development services). Member firms additionally maintain strategic partnerships with assessment providers such as Hogan Assessments and Denison Consulting. Each member firm bills clients directly under its own brand using professional-services fee structures, with documented positioning 25-30% below large multinational search firms, while the central API entity provides shared methodologies, a code of professional and ethical conduct, and orchestration of multi-country mandates. The association is governed by a board comprising principals from member firms (Chair: Santiago Tarín Puig; Vice Presidents: Peter Mason and Vivian Sajet; Secretary: Robert Graham; Treasurer: Carole Craggs; additional members Jayanthi Yeswant, Michael Alexander, Ken McGovern).

The customer base spans large corporations, multinationals, and mid-market organizations across financial services, manufacturing, technology, retail, pharmaceutical, healthcare, natural resources, and non-profit sectors. Documented outcomes include repeat-business rates above 80% for Nicholson Headhunting and roughly two-thirds of assignments from existing clients for Herbold Fischer Associates, indicating high client retention. Distribution is conducted entirely through member-firm relationships with no consumer-facing channel, and marketing is centered on thought-leadership content (blog, Global Leadership Pulse Survey), an email newsletter, and annual General Assemblies used as both governance and client-engagement forums.

Name

Alliance Partnership International

Legal name

Alliance Partnership International

Website

https://api-network.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alliance Partnership International is a Barcelona-based global association of 17+ independent executive search and HR consultancy firms operating across 26+ countries, offering cross-border Executive Search, Assessment, Consulting, and Coaching services to enterprise and mid-market clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices27 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Member firms provide executive search services to clients, operating as independent companies that collaborate under the API network. Services include identifying and placing executives at C-suite, board, and senior management levels across multiple industries and geographies.
2. Assessment Services: Validated assessment methodologies to support client selection, development, and promotion decisions, helping build effective teams and organizations.
3. Consulting Services: Specialized consulting solutions leveraging operational and advisory experience to add value to client organizations.
4. Coaching Services: Individual coaching services to help discover and develop specific competencies to realize goals and aspirations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

No source-attributed factual information is available in the supplied input describing what Alliance Partnership International fundamentally does and sells.

Product overview

Alliance Partnership International is a global association of Executive Search and HR Consultancy firms that offers professional services through its member network rather than a unified software product. The core service offerings include Executive Search, Assessment, Consulting, and Coaching, which are delivered by independently operated member firms across multiple countries. Each member firm operates as an independent company in its local market, and together they tackle multi-country or international executive talent acquisition and assessment projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of engagements are repeated business for Nicholson Headhunting
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hogan AssessmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGET LATAM has strategic partnership with Hogan Assessments, a globally recognized leader in scientifically validated leadership diagnostics. Through this partnership, they provide clients with robust tools to assess leadership potential, predict performance and derailment risks.
• Denison ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGET LATAM has strategic partnership with Denison Consulting for organizational culture assessment and transformation services. They provide evidence-based tools to measure organizational culture with precision.
• Arthur Hunt GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn advisory board together with Arthur Hunt Group is under development at Svennerstal and Partners to enhance their global network of experts spanning a wide range of competencies.
• Master Consulting Group (Spain/Portugal)coreOthersFounding member of Alliance Partnership International. Leading HR consulting firm specializing in Direct Search for Executive, Board of Directors and Senior Management positions with 40+ years experience. Operates from Barcelona, Lisbon and Madrid.
• Solutions and Performances (France)coreOthersAPI member firm specializing in IT, IT advisory, Corporate Finance Banking, and HR services. Founded in 2009 with senior team of seven professionals. Offices in Paris and Cassis, France.
• Thewlis Graham Associates Ltd (UK)coreOthersLondon-based international Executive Search Consultancy recruiting at Chief Executive, Director and Senior Manager level. Specializes in Commercial and Not-for-Profit sectors with 40+ years combined experience.
• Ethic HR (Turkey)coreOthersBoutique human resources consulting firm delivering tailor-made recruitment, head hunting, salary surveys, and HR consultancy services since 2002. Offices in Istanbul, Turkey.
• KMR Executive Search (USA)coreOthersExecutive search firm based in Connecticut, USA. Founded by Ken McGovern with 25+ years experience. Specializes in Healthcare, Financial Services, IT, and Non-Profit sectors. Board member of API Network.
• Alexander Whitehead (Canada)coreOthersBoutique executive retained search firm established in 2013 by Managing Partners Michael Alexander and Terry Whitehead. Specializes in natural resources sector - forestry, mining, manufacturing, renewable energy. Offices in Vancouver and Calgary.
• Grupo Alto Potencial (Mexico)coreOthersMexican executive search and human capital consulting firm with 15+ years experience. Operates as real HR Business Partners serving local and international organizations. Located in Mexico City.
• GET LATAM GroupcoreOthersRegional consulting firm with offices in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. Led by Senior Consultants with deep experience in Executive Search, Assessment, Leadership Development, Coaching, and Organizational Culture. Includes GET Compass Latam alliance in Colombia.
• Nicholson Headhunting (Argentina)coreOthersLeading boutique executive search firm founded in 2006, exclusive API affiliate in Argentina. Located in Buenos Aires. Specializes in C level, Senior and General Management. Reports 80%+ repeat business.
• Talent Solution (Brazil)coreOthersHR Consulting Firm focusing on Executive Search, Assessment, Counseling and Coaching for Board of Directors, Senior and Middle Management. Founded in 2005, based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Watershed Consulting (South Africa)coreOthersQuality-driven recruitment and people advisory firm with 20+ years experience. Offices across South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Doha. Founded by Carole Craggs, now API Network Treasurer.
• M18 Executive Search (Belgium)coreOthersBenelux-based executive recruitment consultancy for 25+ years. Specializes in senior roles in Sales, Marketing, General Management and Operations with strong commercial focus. New offices at Greenhouse Offices in Berchem (2026).
• Personally (Hungary)coreOthersExecutive search and leadership advisory firm based in Budapest. Built on years of experience supporting organizations and individuals in realizing growth opportunities. Hosted 33rd General Assembly in Budapest 2026.
• Svennerstal and Partners (Sweden)coreOthersSwedish executive leadership firm founded in 1974 (41 years). Specializes in learning leaders, leadership assessment, situation analysis, innovation, organization design, and risk management. Based in Stockholm.
• Ad Astra Consultants (India/Singapore)coreOthersFast-expanding HR Services firm with 9 locations and 300+ professionals. Specializes in Executive Search, Recruitment, Staffing, HR Consulting, and RPO. Ranked Top 5 Most Promising HR Recruitment Companies in India by SiliconIndia.
• RYZE Consulting K.K. (Japan)coreOthersJapan-based recruitment consultancy committed to strong customer service. Specializes in leadership, sales and client-facing roles. Founded by William DeLorme with 20+ years Japan experience. Located in Tokyo.
• Herbold Fischer Associates (Germany)coreOthersGerman executive search firm formed in 2003 by senior consultants from top German executive search companies. Recruits at Chief Executive, Director and Senior Manager level. Based in Frankfurt am Main.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Horton International: Horton International is a global network of independent executive search firms. Direct peer to API with comparable federated structure and cross-border executive search focus. Note: API board member Ken McGovern was formerly Managing Director at Horton International.
• NPA Worldwide: NPA Worldwide is a global recruiting network of independent search firms across 50+ countries. Closest direct peer to API, operating the same federated model of independent executive search firms collaborating on cross-border mandates.
• IRC Global Executive Search Partners: IRC Global is an international network of executive search firms with members in 50+ countries. Direct competitor to API, offering similar cross-border executive search services through a federation of independent member firms.

Others

• AESC (Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants): AESC is the global industry association for executive search firms, setting standards and providing member services. While not a direct competitor, AESC represents the broader professional community in which API operates and competes for member affiliation and credibility.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is the world's largest executive search firm with extensive integrated global presence. Multiple API board members previously worked at Korn Ferry (Peter Mason, Michael Alexander). Represents the premium-tier incumbent API competes against.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm with integrated operations across major markets. Competes with API for senior-level executive search mandates at large multinational clients.
• Spencer Stuart: Spencer Stuart is a leading global executive search firm focused on board-level and CEO placements. Represents the premium-tier competitor against which API's boutique network must differentiate on price and local expertise.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Russell Reynolds Associates is a global executive search firm with strong board and CEO practice. Broad incumbent competitor in the same executive search space where API operates.
• DHR International: DHR International is a global executive search firm with extensive operations. API board member Ken McGovern previously worked at Jobplex/DHR International, indicating direct industry overlap and competitive positioning.
• Egon Zehnder: Egon Zehnder is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm with integrated global presence and strong board practice. Premium-tier competitor to API for senior executive mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alliance-partnership-international
• Xx.com/alliance_par

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alliance Partnership International