Jon Barney Appointed as Head of Odgers Berndtson’s US Industrial Practice

Odgers Berndtson is pleased to announce that Jon Barney has been appointed as Head of the firm’s Industrial Practice.

Jon has been Head of Odgers Berndtson’s Aerospace, Defense, & National Security Practice, a subset of the firm’s Industrial Practice, since 2019, where he brought more than twenty years of executive search, leadership development, and management consulting experience to clients in these specialized industries. His success in that role, as well as his deep experience and understanding of organizations in the Industrial sector, make him an ideal leader for Odgers Berndtson’s growing Industrial Practice.

Prior to joining Odgers Berndtson, Jon was a Senior Partner and an Executive Director at two other global executive search firms where he advised Aerospace, Defense, and other Industrial clients. He was also a Managing Director at Avascent, a strategy consulting firm that focuses on government markets, where he oversaw strategy, consulting, and M&A engagements for aerospace, defense, government services, and technology clients. Earlier in his career, Jon served five years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. He earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Naval Academy with Honors, and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jon succeeds Mats-Ola Bydell, who has led Odgers Berndtson’s Industrial Practice for the past few years and has helped to solidify and grow the division and its team. Though Mats-Ola is passing the leadership baton to Jon, he will continue to support our Industrial Practice, bringing his decades of experience in executive search and talent management to our clients. Mats-Ola's leadership position is being transferred to Jon as part of a planned succession. As a firm that regularly advises clients on effective succession planning, we take the smooth transfer of leadership very seriously, and we are committed to ensuring that this transition is a success.

Says Jon, “I’m very excited to move into the Americas and US Industrial Practice Leader role alongside my colleagues Clare Glackin in EMEA and Alasdair Spink in APAC. I’m confident that Odgers Berndtson can bring its entrepreneurial and innovative culture, our deep industry expertise and best in class global practices, data-driven approach, and our desire to transform and modernize executive search and talent to rapidly expand our business. We see Industrial as a major focus for investment and strategic growth based on a combination of market dynamics and Odgers’ presence in these markets in the US and globally, and I am energized by the opportunity to lead us in such forward-thinking and expanding space.”

Says Mats-Ola, former Head of the Industrial Practice, “I feel honored to have led our Industrial Practice and excited to welcome Jon as our new leader in this sector. I’ve worked alongside Jon for the past few years and have had a front row seat to the passion, thoughtfulness, and expertise with which he guides our clients, and he has my continued support in his new role. I look forward to doing more work at the board level as a leader of Odgers Berndtson’s Board Practice, and continuing to provide our clients with the insight, advice, and customized service they have come to expect from our teams.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to practice what we preach,” says Kennon Kincaid, CEO of Odgers Berndtson US. “Succession planning is of utmost importance for all businesses, particularly if they are involved in rapidly-evolving sectors like Industrial. Our Industrial clients are growing quickly and often on the cutting edge of the ways our world handles its biggest challenges; rest assured, Odgers Berndtson is progressing and innovating alongside them to continue serving their most crucial executive leadership needs. I am incredibly grateful for all Mats-Ola has done to build Odgers Berndtson’s US business in this sector, and I am excited for the future of our Industrial Practice under Jon’s leadership.”