Spencer Stuart Appointed New CEO Practice Leader
The firm promoted Colin Graham to global head of its board and CEO practice while adding two veteran advisors.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in People
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Spencer Stuart has promoted Colin Graham to serve as the global head of its board and CEO practice. The firm also recruited Sandy Ogg as a senior advisor and Chris Gagnon as a partner to bolster its leadership team.
Why it matters
These strategic appointments aim to strengthen the firm's executive search and advisory capabilities by combining internal expertise with external industry experience.
The firm manages a global workforce of 3,000 employees operating across 60 offices in more than 30 countries. New leadership additions bring decades of experience, including Sandy Ogg with 40 years in the field and Chris Gagnon with 21 years at McKinsey & Company.
The players
Spencer Stuart
This global executive search and leadership consulting firm provides advisory services to organizations worldwide.
Colin Graham
He is the newly appointed global head of the board and CEO practice based in New York.
Sandy Ogg
A veteran advisor with 40 years of experience, he joins the firm as a senior advisor in New York.
Chris Gagnon
He is a new partner at the firm based in Austin who previously worked at McKinsey & Company.
CEO.works
This is an advisory organization where Sandy Ogg and Chris Gagnon previously held positions.
The details
Colin Graham, who has been with the firm since 2018, steps into the global head role after a 25-year career. Sandy Ogg and Chris Gagnon join the company after previously working at CEO.works.
Timeline
Spencer Stuart was founded in 1956.
Colin Graham joined the firm in 2018.
The new leadership appointments were announced on October 12, 2026.
Market Landscape
The firm's decision to hire from specialized advisory groups follows the broader industry trend of integrating niche leadership expertise into traditional search practices. This strategy positions the company to compete more aggressively in the high-stakes market for board and CEO placement.
These internal and external staffing changes indicate a shift in the specialized consulting services available to corporate boards and C-suite executives. Clients may see updated advisory strategies as the firm leverages its new talent pool to consult on high-level organizational leadership.
The takeaway
The move underscores the critical importance of seasoned advisory expertise in modern executive recruiting. Companies looking to fill top-tier leadership roles should note the growing preference for consultants who possess both deep industry knowledge and practical organizational experience.
Further reading
For more information on executive leadership shifts, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Consulting.
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