Back in 2002, Oliver Torster and I set out to build something different. As alumni of Heidrick & Struggles and Amrop, we launched our own firm—cheekily named after a hunting dog: Jack Russell Consulting. Our bet? That a more agile, collaborative, and entrepreneurial model would win. It did.

Thanks to earlier work with global tech leaders like IBM, HP, and Oracle, international opportunities came knocking early. But there was a catch: not enough partners, not enough bandwidth, and no scalable way to truly serve cross-border clients. Traditional global firms—with their heavy structures and bureaucracy—weren’t the answer.

Then came a turning point. In early 2012, AltoPartners (then a six-year-old network) approached us about joining as their Munich partner. They liked us. We liked them. No long debates, no drama—just a handshake and a shared vision.

Looking back, it was the perfect match.

AltoPartners isn’t your typical executive search organisation. It’s a network of entrepreneurs, built for business, not bureaucracy. Governance is light, values are strong, and collaboration happens not out of obligation, but because partners genuinely want to work together. That distinction matters – especially to our clients and candidates.

Credit where it’s due: the founders created something remarkable in 2006. A network that has grown, adapted, and delivered consistently—without losing its edge or becoming rigid. Top-tier performance, minus the ego.

Over the past 20 years, AltoPartners has been shaped by five leaders, each leaving their mark: Albert Froom (Netherlands), Jean-Philippe Saint-Geours (France), Stephen Dallamore (South Africa), Sonal Agrawal (India), and today Santiago Solis (Colombia). “Diversity” may be a buzzword that comes and goes—but in our case, it’s real, visible, and a genuine competitive advantage.

So, here’s my wish for the future—borrowed from Steve Jobs:

Stay curious. Stay hungry.

Dr. Thomas Heyn served for more than 10 years on the Operational Committee of AltoPartners. Today he is a member of several Advisory Boards.