ForceBrands Named New Head of Executive Search
The firm hired Brian Waivada to scale its talent acquisition practice for consumer-focused clients.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do high-level executive appointments typically signal a company's improved future prospects?
ForceBrands has appointed industry veteran Brian Waivada as its new Head of Executive Search. The hire marks a strategic effort to expand the firm's recruitment capabilities for consumer brands and investors.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a shift in talent strategy for consumer brand operators looking to secure specialized executive leadership during a competitive hiring environment. Bringing on a high-volume recruiter suggests a push to increase throughput in C-suite placements.
Brian Waivada brings 28 years of industry experience, including more than 500 completed executive searches. These placements have included 50 company exits representing $35 billion in aggregate enterprise value.
The players
Brian Waivada
An executive search veteran with 28 years of experience, previously a partner at JM Search, Bespoke Partners, and True Search.
ForceBrands
A recruitment firm specialized in the consumer brand sector with 20 years of operations.
The details
Waivada will lead the firm's executive search team and oversee the expansion of its core practice. He previously held partner roles at JM Search, Bespoke Partners, and True Search, and has led talent acquisition functions at firms including McKinsey and BlackRock. The firm intends to leverage his background to deepen its support for consumer brand companies and their investors.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: ForceBrands announced the appointment of Brian Waivada.
Market Landscape
This move follows the industry trend of boutique firms hiring seasoned partners to capitalize on the increasing demand for specialized executive leadership in consumer markets. It mirrors the standard competitive cycle where firms scale specialized practices to attract high-value clients.
Operators currently engaged in executive searches should re-evaluate their current search agency partnerships in light of shifts in firm leadership. Assess whether your current recruiters have the necessary network reach to support your company's upcoming growth or exit milestones.
The takeaway
Building a high-performing leadership team requires balancing internal recruitment expertise with external search specialization. Operators should track the hiring track record of their search partners as a key metric when planning next-year organizational growth.
Further reading
For broader trends in industry leadership and talent strategy, visit the People section.
More information
To review the firm's capabilities and service offerings, visit the ForceBrands official company website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Macau Business.
Live Poll
Do high-level executive appointments typically signal a company's improved future prospects?
