In the Media
Führungskräfte 2022: Auf diese Soft- und Hardskills kommt es an
Dennis Grabherr is Partner at Boyden and advises investors, CEOs and boards on C-level and board appointments in Germany and globally. He combines executive search expertise with extensive senior leadership and legal responsibility in multinational technology and telecommunications companies. This practitioner’s perspective brings a deep understanding of governance, transformation and cross-border stakeholder environments. International by background and career, he has lived, studied and worked across Europe and the Americas. Clients value his ability to translate strategic requirements into clear leadership profiles, and to drive the search process with rigor and judgment towards a long-term fit.
Professional Focus
- Advises investors, private equity firms, CEOs and boards on C-suite and board-level appointments in complex, national, and international environments
- Combines senior corporate leadership experience with a proven executive search track record, enabling rigorous, context-driven leadership assessment
- Focus on general management, regional and functional leadership mandates within Private Equity portfolio companies and family-owned enterprises
- Delivers strong strategic and cultural alignment by guiding the executive search process holistically from mandate definition to final placement
- Sector expertise in technology services, defense, industrial manufacturing and professional services
- Active member of Boyden’s international technology-oriented Practice Groups
- English, German (native); French, Spanish and Portuguese (fluent)
Business Expertise
- Member of the European Management Board, VP and General Counsel Europe at Hewlett Packard Enterprise; member of HPE’s Global Leader Forum
- Global Director of Data Governance at British Telecom (BT), London
- Regional Managing Director Latin America and Chief Counsel at BT, São Paulo
- Chief Counsel, Central & Eastern Europe, Nordics, Germany and Austria at BT, Frankfurt and Munich
- Head of Legal, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Orange Business Services (formerly Equant), Munich and Moscow
- Senior Associate at Haarmann, Hemmelrath & Partner, Warsaw and Munich
- Associate at Baker McKenzie, Bogotá
Additional Expertise
- Decarbonization
- Chemicals
- Agriculture
- Defense-tech
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- INSEAD International Executive Programme, Fontainebleau and Singapore
- Second Legal State Law Examination, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich
- Université de Lausanne School of Law, Lausanne
- Prior education in Montreal and Munich
- Boyden Leadership Framework (BLF)
- PROPHET
Affiliations & Awards
- INSEAD Alumni Association Germany
- Top Executive Search Firm 2025, Handelsblatt
- Top Executive Search Firm 2025, WirtschaftsWoche
Case Studies
View All
CEO Leadership for Successful Integration and Exit
Identifying a strategic CEO to lead the integration and exit strategy of a high-growth, high-profitability B2B leader in data and analytics services, driving growth and a successful exit while preserving each company's unique strengths.
Empowering Future Leaders: A Tailored Talent Development Program
Alpine One GmbH, partner of Boyden Germany for leadership consulting, developed and executes a 2-year talent program for a leading European defense company. Designed for high-potential professionals, it helps them explore specialist, project, or leadership roles. Through personality diagnostics and highly interactive, modern workshops, Alpine One enables talents to align their strengths with business goals—driving individual and organizational growth.
From Innovation to Execution: Leadership in Power Semiconductor Development
How Boyden placed a strategic SVP to drive e-mobility growth
Thought Leadership
View All
Articles & Papers
A Regional CEO Search to Realise U.S. Market Potential for a European Family-Owned Business
A European family-owned business approaching generational transition recognized that its U.S. operation required more than continuity—it required growth. The challenge was to redefine leadership for a critical market while navigating family dynamics and cross-border complexity. Here’s how the right appointment helped unlock the company’s U.S. potential.
Articles & Papers
Navigating Uncertainty: AI Drives an Inflection Point for the Global Economy
In this edition of Navigating Uncertainty, explore how AI is reshaping the global economy, while private equity reveals the truth about AI ‘bubble mania’.
Articles & Papers
Private Equity's Role in Powering the Energy Transition
As energy markets transform, private equity is driving the transition with diversified portfolios and leaders who can master both legacy and renewable systems.
Boyden Report Series
What’s Next for Industry? AI, Transformation, and the Talent Imperative
Industrial Trends Report: Analysing markets, studies, and trends on how AI, machine learning, and digitalisation are reshaping the industrial sector, with expert insights on talent and leadership from Boyden’s Global Industrial Practice Members.
Contact Dennis Grabherr today and let's get started