Press Release
Boyden Expands in Europe by Appointing Six New Partners and One Principal
New additions strengthen client support in executive search and interim management
Simona Mann
Senior Associate, Czech Republic
Simona Mann is an executive search professional advising private equity and venture capital investors on C‑suite and board hires. She leads complex searches across Europe, the US, and Asia, aligning leadership with investment goals through strategic mapping, interviews, and full delivery to support transformation and growth.
Professional Focus
- Over 10 years’ experience in executive search and senior human capital advisory
- Extensive focus on private equity and venture capital–backed searches, including C-suite and board-level appointments
- International search experience across Europe, the US, and Asia
- Expertise in search strategy design, market mapping, senior-level assessment, and candidate evaluation
- Strong understanding of investor expectations, governance, and leadership in PE-backed environments
- Native Czech speaker; fluent English; working knowledge of German
Business Expertise
- Executive Director and Communications & Talent Lead within a privately owned, partner-backed investment and operating platform, focused on hospitality businesses and the cultural revitalisation of a heritage site, driving business transformation, destination building, and organisational development
- Senior Associate and Interim Head of Research at a global top-tier executive search and leadership advisory firm, working closely with partners on complex international mandates
- Executive Assistant to Group CFO in a private equity–backed industrial group, with responsibility for investor reporting and board-related communications
- Press & PR / Marketing Coordinator at Škoda Australia (Volkswagen Group subsidiary)
- Intern, Consulate General of the Czech Republic, Sydney
- Executive Assistant to the Program Director, Australian Institute of Management, Sydney
Additional Expertise
- Private Equity & Venture Capital–backed businesses
- Healthcare & Medical
- Telecommunications
- Technology (Hardware, Software, Semiconductors)
- Financial Services & Banking
- Consumer & Retail
- Automotive
- Hospitality
Education & Certifications
- Master’s degree in international management from Teesside University, Prague
- Bachelor’s degree in sociology, anthropology, and German from University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Diploma in international business from Bridge Business College, Sydney
Case Studies
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Building Institutional Investment Operations Leadership for a Mission-Driven Family Office
Boyden partnered with a leading family office and its affiliated foundation to appoint a Head of Institutional Investment Operations capable of designing and implementing a scalable operational platform to support a growing investment portfolio and long-term philanthropic objectives.
Dual expertise for change: CFO recruitment through executive search and interim management in the automotive sector.
A leading automotive supplier leveraged the combined strength of executive search and interim management to fill a critical CFO position quickly and sustainably – laying the foundation for successful transformation and financial stability.
A Time-Critical CFO Hire for a Scaling, PE-Backed Manufacturer
Boyden partnered with a private equity-backed leader in automated test systems to execute a Partner-led search with disciplined assessment and rapid momentum, identifying a finalist within two weeks and closing the mandate within 60 days.
Thought Leadership
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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
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.
Blog
Why Internal Executive Hiring Often Fails and How to Get It Right
Why do internal appointments so often backfire? Hidden bias, rushed decisions, and poor oversight quietly erode performance, culture, and organisational value.
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.
News & Events
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Press Release
Boyden Finds Digital Progress Puts Europe in Pole Position to Champion Industry 5.0
Global research shows Industry 5.0 gathering pace as European business leaders excel in leveraging digital capabilities through human ingenuity
In the Media
The Bulgarian Executive Search Association with a New Chairman
Kalina Petkova has been elected Chair of the Bulgarian Executive Search Association, a partner of the AESC.
Contact Simona Mann today and let's get started