Dr. Oliver Köster is a member of Spencer Stuart’s CFO, Private Equity, Supply Chain and Global Industrial Practices and leads the China Desk in Europe.
As a leadership advisor and executive search consultant with over 30 years of industry and consulting experience, his work in the sector has focused on helping recruit board members and top executives for some of the world’s leading industrial companies (private equity-backed, public and privately owned). His main industry focus is on Engineered Products & Solutions, Industrial Technology and Process Industries. Furthermore, he advises clients on a range of leadership, culture, onboarding and succession issues as well as on top team effectiveness.
In-depth consulting and industry experience
- Oliver's consulting expertise stems from his experience working at senior levels with many leading technology-driven companies across the complete value chain. His focus has been on corporate strategy, complexity management, innovation management and lean management.
- Before joining Spencer Stuart, he was a partner with Schuh & Co. Complexity Management Group, where he was responsible for the Industrial and Process practices of the firm. He conducted consulting assignments to increase profitability on behalf of corporate clients. Prior to this, Oliver spent seven years with the Dürr Group, a leading supplier of products, systems, and services mainly for the car-making industry. He served as managing director with oversight of sales, marketing, finance, controlling and purchasing, administration and also held leadership roles in business development. He has lived in Germany, Switzerland, France, USA and China.
Oliver graduated with a doctorate in business administration from the University of St. Gallen. In addition to his native German, Oliver speaks English and French.