Bernhard is passionate about helping companies in the global technology and telecom industries solve their most critical leadership challenges. He advises boards and CEOs on leadership succession and organizational change and helps organizations identify and recruit senior executives.

Bernhard Kickenweiz co-leads Spencer Stuart’s global Telecommunications Practice and is a member of the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice. He specializes in recruiting CEOs, board members and senior-level executives across telecom, digital infrastructure, satellite, technology and business services, for both leading multinational corporations and private equity-backed companies. He is also a member of the firm’s IT Services Practice.

Expertise

Bernhard specializes in:

  • CEO search
  • Board recruitment
  • C-suite recruitment
  • Leadership succession
  • Organizational structure

Recent Work

  • Leading multiple CEO searches for public and private equity-backed telecommunication services, digital infrastructure, satellite and technology companies.
  • Guiding long-term C-suite and leadership succession planning for one of the largest global telecom services providers.
  • Partnering with a global infrastructure technology and software company to build a new leadership team for growth.
  • Recruiting the board chair and multiple next-generation board directors as part of a restructuring of a telecom operator group and a satellite company.
  • Recruiting multiple next-generation board directors and counseling them on how best to increase their impact in the boardroom.

Previous Experience

  • Principal and a leader in A.T. Kearney’s North American communications and high-tech practice. He also worked for the firm in Europe and Asia Pacific.
  • Management consultant with Gemini Consulting.
  • Financial leadership positions with IBM in Europe.

Education

  • M.B.A. with honors from the University of Graz
  • Université Paris IX Dauphine and the University of Exeter

Practice Areas