Press Release
A Pioneer in Executive Search and Board Advisory Recognized by Global Association
The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the $20+ billion executive search and leadership consulting profession, presented Dr. Bjørn Johansson, Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates AG, with AESC’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Dr. Bjørn Johansson stands among the true icons of our profession,” said James Edmund Datri, President and CEO of AESC. “For more than four decades, he has shaped how boards and CEOs think about leadership, governance, and succession. His influence extends far beyond individual searches. He has helped define what effective board leadership looks like in the modern era.”
With a distinguished 45-year career at the forefront of executive search and board advisory, Dr. Johansson has defined what it means to be both a trusted adviser and a visionary leader in the field. Since founding Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates AG in 1993, he has built one of the world’s most respected boutique search firms, exclusively focused on executive and non-executive board appointments.
Throughout his career, Dr. Johansson has conducted searches in more than 40 countries across all continents, advising many of the world’s most prominent organizations, including ABB, Apple, AXA, Ecolab, LVMH, Nestlé, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Red Bull, Roche, and the World Economic Forum. Remarkably, more than half of his board placements over the past five years have been women—an extraordinary testament to his longstanding commitment to opportunity and inclusion at the highest levels of leadership.
Paul Bulcke is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Nestlé S.A. He says, “If there needed to be proof that AI and digital tools cannot replace a good search firm, Bjørn Johansson has delivered it over a lifetime. Beyond his exceptional global network, these proof points include an extraordinary understanding of the client’s firm and its needs, which change over time; the capacity to judge a ‘good fit’ of a candidate at all angles; a high degree of emotional intelligence; and an exceptional commitment to go the extra mile for the client’s needs.”
As one of the first in Europe to specialize in board-specific advisory, Dr. Johansson championed international best practices in board composition, diversity, and succession planning. His firm pioneered a bespoke, research-led, and client-centered model.
Through initiatives such as Global Board Advisers (GBA), a collaboration of nine leading boutique firms across eight countries, Dr. Johansson has advanced international cooperation and knowledge exchange in board advisory. His partnerships have strengthened global standards for CEO and board search, encouraging cross-border collaboration and best practice sharing.
Dr. Johansson’s influence reaches far beyond individual appointments. Over four decades, he has helped define what integrity, trust, and excellence mean in leadership consulting. Known for his discretion and rigor, he is a sought-after adviser to chairpersons, CEOs, and family business owners worldwide.
“What sets Bjørn apart is not just the scale of his impact, but the unwavering quality of his work,” says Dr. Mathias Oberholzer, Head APAC at Russell Reynolds Associates. His reputation for excellence is built on decades of delivering top-tier talent with integrity, precision, and insight. Dr. Bjørn Johansson consistently sets the gold standard for the industry. He doesn’t just meet expectations — he redefines them.”
Since founding his firm in 1993, Dr. Johansson has been a steadfast advocate for AESC’s mission to uphold the highest professional standards. As a member of the AESC DACH Council, he helped strengthen ethical practices and championed the role of independent, high-quality search firms in driving innovation.
Dr. Johansson holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and began his executive search career in 1980. Before founding his firm, Dr. Johansson held senior leadership roles at Spencer Stuart, Korn Ferry, and Carré Orban, where he helped shape the profession’s growth across Europe. Over the years, he has advised some of the world’s most influential boards and executives, earning a reputation as one of the most trusted and respected figures in leadership consulting.
About the AESC Lifetime Achievement Award
Bestowed since 1982, the AESC Lifetime Achievement Award is the profession’s highest honor, recognizing individuals at the pinnacle of their careers who have exemplified and advanced excellence in executive search and leadership consulting. Recipients are widely regarded as icons whose legacies have shaped the profession and upheld its highest values of ethics, integrity, and impact. The award celebrates their enduring influence and steadfast commitment to advancing leadership worldwide.
About AESC
AESC Members place and advise the world’s board directors and C-suite leaders. Founded in 1959, AESC represents the global gold standard in executive search and leadership consulting, bringing together over 16,000 professionals in more than 80 countries. AESC Members are rigorously vetted to meet the highest standards in the profession.
