CEO succession is a difficult business, not least when you're a family business, says Boyden UK & Ireland partner, Kevin Keegan.
Dr. Thorsten Doerr specializes in the tailored placement of interim executives at board and senior management level. With 20 years of professional experience in strategy consulting and as managing director of family-owned businesses, he provides organizations with perfectly matched interim executives for mission-critical situations. His clients include international upper mid-market companies across pivotal industries such as automotive suppliers, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, defense, chemicals, and food.
Professional Focus
- Proven track record in successfully placing first and second-level executives, including CEO, CFO, COO, CHRO, CPO, CTO and CSO roles
- Deep expertise in the unique dynamics of family-owned businesses and the specific challenges and opportunities of medium to large companies ("Upper Mittelstand”)
- Applying a proven and tailored methodology that ensures the interim executives we introduce are not only leaders in their fields, but also an excellent match for each clients’ specific requirements and corporate culture
- Active member of Boyden’s Global Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Industrial Manufacturing, and Supply Chain & Logistic Practices
- Extensive experience in delivering international projects across Western and Eastern Europe, Brazil, China, Mexico, and the USA
- Native German speaker with full professional fluency in English
Business Expertise
- Recognized and trusted advisor to executive boards, managing directors, supervisory and advisory boards
- Joined Boyden in 2019, previously 20 years of professional experience as strategy consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and as managing director in international family businesses (Heraeus, Vossloh)
Additional Expertise
- Chemicals
- Drive technology
- Filter technology
- Food and Beverages
- Plant engineering
- Pumps and Compressors
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- Doctorate in Corporate Finance from WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management and Ross School of Business, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- MBA from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, with studies abroad at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University (Canada) and ICN Business School Nancy (France)
With Boyden’s support, a private equity–backed organization appointed its first HR leader to formalize people operations and navigate cultural and structural transformation during a pivotal ownership shift.
A family-owned construction company partnered with Boyden to fill a pivotal new leadership role, aiming to drive innovation while maintaining their tradition of excellence.
Discover how Boyden’s strategic search placed a high-impact COO for a global, family-owned engineering firm, optimizing operations, boosting profitability, and expanding international markets.
Rail Business berichtet im Gespräch mit Thorsten Dörr (Partner bei Boyden Interim Management) über den Mangel an Fachpersonal, der die Weiterentwicklung des Schienen-Sektors gefährdet.
Voices of Family Business Survey
A family enterprise approaching its first generational transition found leadership fragmented across sibling-led divisions. Growth was possible, but cohesion was not guaranteed. By introducing independent executive leadership, the family gained clarity, strengthened governance, and set a foundation for long-term continuity. Here’s how unified leadership replaced complexity.
A third-generation family business found itself navigating sudden global disruption with limited internal capability to manage a complex reshoring effort. The solution was not more control, but the confidence to bring in the right external expertise. This is how the family safeguarded its legacy by acting decisively—and differently.
Boyden hires new Partner Farah Esmail in East Africa, as client needs drive growth in leadership for multinationals, social impact, family and private equity-backed businesses
New additions strengthen client support in executive search and interim management
Contact Dr. Thorsten Dörr today and let's get started