24th July 2014, London:
Part of an expansion drive by the tech executive search and development specialist that includes more major hires, the opening of a Germany base and a new global headquarters.
Stephan Thoma has joined European Leaders from Google to lead the talent development division that will further improve the performance of Europe’s tech companies.
Thoma was previously Global Director of Learning & Development at Google, where he led the team that developed Google’s talent while preserving the company’s distinct culture. He was the only non-US based member of Google’s leadership team.
Before Google he held senior learning and development roles with Cisco, NTL, GE and 3Com.
European Leaders recruits and develops the talent for some of the world’s biggest and fastest growing tech organisations. Its passion is to improve the performance of companies through their number one asset: people.
Thoma said: “I want to bring the approach to talent development that American tech giants implement so well, and use it to help European tech organisations compete on a global stage.
“No one is doing more to improve the performance of tech talent around the world than European Leaders and its sister companies in the 360 Leaders group. That’s why I’ve chosen to join – and I can’t wait to get started.”
Thoma’s appointment is one part of a major expansion drive for European Leaders.
This includes the launch of a Berlin office serving the Central European region. The new base will be headed by Martin Buhl, who was formerly with Oracle, PayPal and Boku where he led the European Business Development as Senior Director.
Given his background, Buhl will bring a particular emphasis on fintech in his new role. He said: “Fintech is exploding, and its innovators will need the best talent to develop their ideas.”
“This is what European Leaders has consistently delivered over the last decade. I’m proud to be joining this group and opening up a new region for the business.”
To co-ordinate its new growth phase, European Leaders has moved into a new HQ in London.
The new building includes an expanded events space to host EL academy sessions. The academy has helped over 350 European tech business leaders learn from experts and each other since it was formed in 2007.
Philip Randerson, MD of European Leaders, said: “The European tech space has never been more vibrant. But it will need great talent and inspirational leaders to keep it growing.
“I’m thrilled that European Leaders is expanding to help the sector meet these challenges.”
