Whitehead Mann creates PE division

London-based executive recruitment and coaching company Whitehead Mann Group has set up a new private equity coverage team, headed up by Chris Kirkness.

Kirkness, 51, has joined Whitehead Mann as head of private equity and will provide the group’s executive search and leadership solutions consultancy to its global financial sponsor and private equity clients. Kirkness will be based in the company’s Ryder Court, London office.

Kirkness has been in the investment banking industry for the past 24 years and at director level for the past 18 years, most recently as managing director, global head of financial sponsor group within Dutch investment bank ABN AMRO. While there, he was responsible for developing the global financial sponsor platform, handling M&A, leveraged financing and exit transactions for UK clients.

Prior to ABN AMRO, Kirkness was a director at asset management and investment banking group Robert Fleming & Co.

Craige Vollment has also been appointed as a consultant in the private equity team working under Kirkness. A chartered occupational psychologist and independent consultant, Vollmer was previously a human resources director at Cadbury Schweppes and United Biscuits.

Whitehead Mann has offices and affiliates in the UK, North America, continental Europe and Asia Pacific.