AI and digitalisation
Who brings pace without losing the team?
Typical rolesChief Technology Officer
Chief Product Officer
Chief Digital Officer
We find the leaders who change the course
and keep the core.
We place managing directors, C-level executives, boards and key positions when family businesses, PE portfolios or scaleups realign.
At turning points, leadership rarely fails on competence. It fails on culture.
That is why we assess values as closely as the CV.
Five turning points. One core.
These five situations call for leadership. For each one, we know the roles, the pitfalls and the people who fit.
Transformation
Who makes hard decisions and still keeps people's trust?
Typical rolesChief Executive Officer
General Manager
Chief Operating Officer
Growth
What must stay the same at three times the size?
Typical rolesGeneral Manager
Chief Revenue Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Succession
What part of the legacy is core, and what is merely habit?
Typical rolesExternal (non-family) management
Owner or founder succession
Change of ownership
Who delivers the plan without losing the top performers?
Typical rolesChief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Strengthening the management team
Your turning point looks different?
Tell us about it. After 30 minutes, you will know whether we are the right fit.
Book an intro callOur services.
Our core service
Executive Search for leadership at turning points.
Direct search for managing directors, C-level and key positions in Tech, Product, Commercial, Operations, Finance and People. We examine track record and expertise and analyse values fit for a placement that lasts.
More on Executive Search- 3 weeksto the shortlist
- Fixed feebased on complexity, agreed before we start
- Values analysisincluded in every search
- 100-day feedbackand hands-on support during onboarding
Also for you
All services at a glance- 01AI leadershipPlacing AI leaders. Preparing leadership teams for people and AI.
- 02Value IntelligenceMaking the values of candidates, teams and organisations measurable.
- 03Interim ManagementExperienced leadership for a defined period, when a gap needs closing immediately.
- 04Advisory BoardsAdvisory board members and board advisors who have led themselves.
Track Record.
400+placements in leadership and key roles
90%of our mandates come through referrals
50+executive search partners in our network
20+years of experience in executive search
Recently placed.
A selection from recent years. We are happy to share details in a personal conversation.
- Chief Product & Technology OfficerRenewable energy pioneer, approx. 500 employees
- Director AIWell-known German print and digital publisher
- Interim Chief Digital OfficerMarket-leading Mittelstand company, machine parts
- Chief Technology OfficerLeading life insurer, digital B2C ecosystem
- Chief Executive OfficerInternational D2C e-commerce, PE-backed
- Chief Financial OfficerPE-backed scaleup, AI-based data security
- Chief Growth OfficerB2B SaaS scaleup, approx. 200 employees
- SVP OperationsMittelstand world market leader, chemicals
- General Manager StrategyEuropean mobility provider, 1,200 employees
- Head of Human ResourcesMid-sized manufacturer of industrial parts
Benjamin Körner•FounderPersonal advice. Broad network.
ben.partners is an owner-led executive search firm. For more than 20 years, we have been placing leaders in family businesses, the Mittelstand, private equity and scaleups, with a network of over 50 partners. The name says it all: ben stands for bold executive network.
Our network. 50+ partners who have led themselves.
Search partners and board advisors from Tech, Finance, Marketing, People and Succession. They open doors, help assess candidates and act as sparring partners for your boards.
What clients say about us.
“In Benjamin, we found a sparring partner who goes far beyond classic headhunting. From the outset, he understood the strategic challenges behind our hires, and with his consistent focus on values he helped us not only to select candidates but also to sharpen our own understanding of who we are as an organisation. Benjamin is exactly the critical sparring partner you need at this stage.”
Sascha SoykFounder and CEO, GovRadar“Benjamin has already filled several crucial leadership positions for us, and I was deeply impressed by his understanding of the situation and of our company. That is something I rarely experience.”
Thomas ZimmermannCEO, FREE NOW“I have been working with Ben for many years. He understands our individual needs and has repeatedly found us the right leaders. We share a strong alignment on leadership values and have built a foundation of trust. I am very satisfied and can wholeheartedly recommend Ben and his advisory services.”
Marco MelasVP Software Engineering, EGYM“BEN played a key role in LichtBlick's digitalisation by filling critical leadership positions (including CTO) as well as important interim roles. Benjamin addresses critical issues clearly and directly, and acts proactively in our interest. I have worked with Benjamin for a long time on a basis of trust and value him highly as a contact and sparring partner on leadership topics.”
Christina TesslerSVP People, LichtBlick“Ben is an outstanding headhunter and grasps very quickly what profile is needed. He has an excellent network in the digital ecosystem and has often supported us in finding exciting people.”
Fabian J. FischerCEO, Etribes Group“With BEN, we were able to appoint a new Chief Growth Officer and a new Chief Technology Officer quickly and with great precision. Benjamin showed an exceptional instinct for the right people. His professionalism and commitment not only led to these important hires but also brought fresh impetus to leadership at Nect.”
Benny Bennet JürgensFounder and CEO, NectInsights. What is on our minds right now.
Study 2026 · Survey open until 30 November
Take part now
Value Leadership Index
How wide is the gap between the values companies define and the leadership they live? The survey runs until the end of November. We will then publish the results here.
Leadership
What a bad hire really costs
Replacing a leader costs up to 200% of their annual salary. And many resignations could have been avoided.
Read (in German) AI and cultureAI makes everything interchangeable. What remains?
When every product can be copied, culture makes the difference. Hardly any CEO has an answer to that.
Read (in German) TransformationIs efficiency killing corporate evolution?
Drive transformation, but please without any risk. What contradictory job profiles reveal about companies.
Read (in German)Change the Course. Keep the Core.
30 minutes, no obligation. We listen, put things in context and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.