QED Investors acquires fintech headhunting firm

QED Investors, which previously held a majority stake in LF Search, increased its ownership of the business as part of QED’s strategic focus on investing in portfolio support functions.

“We founded LF Search in 2017 to fill the void in placing world-class credit and analytics talent within fintech and financial services,” said QED Investors Managing Partner Nigel Morris. “Over the past five years, it has placed a number of C-Suite executives and critical hires at some of the world’s best-known financial services brands. I couldn’t be more excited to bring LF Search further into the group and provide the portfolio companies our an internal resource to hire the talent they need to succeed.”

Initially focused on credit, risk, analytics and performance marketing roles, over the past two years LF Search has expanded its services to include placements in other critical leadership roles, including multiple CEO, CFO, Chief Revenue and General Counsel positions. , in addition to critical mid- and mid-senior positions that report to these functions.

“As someone who has been involved in the broader QED trajectory for the past decade, it gives me great excitement to have an opportunity to further serve QED’s portfolio companies and help each of them acquire world-class talent,” said LF Search CEO Thomas King.

“We have a deep network of talent in risk, credit, digital, finance, operations, product, marketing, business development, strategy and law. Whether we’re working with a pre-revenue fintech or established financial services provider, we bring our decades of industry and search experience to every search we perform. Our team is proud of the work we do, and we’re excited to help some of the world’s most innovative fintechs recruit their most critical talent.”

Since 2017, LF Search has placed more than 100 critical executive, senior and professional hires at some of the world’s most recognized fintech brands. In 2021, LF Search had its best year ever, and the business is on track for another record year in 2022. In addition, LF Search recently announced that recruiting veteran Jim Reo, who spent more than 24 years at Capital One in senior executive search positions and previously worked at Heidrick & Struggle, has joined the team as a senior advisor.

“LF Search has truly flourished over the past few years and I very much look forward to seeing the positive impact that Thomas, Jim, Drew Messmer and the rest of the team will have on our portfolio companies,” Morris added.

Although LF Search is now owned by QED Investors, the firm will continue to serve both QED portfolio companies, as well as companies outside the QED orbit. Ultimately, the acquisition will give LF the opportunity to serve customers more efficiently and maximize full growth potential.