Passionate about Excellence
DART Talent & Executive Search, founded in 2009, is a specialised talent acquisition boutique passionate about delivering high-quality service. As one of the leading match-makers in the Investment Management, Risk, Fintech, Alternative Investments, and Family Office sectors, we are dedicated to excellence in every placement we make and research project we undertake.
Our team is committed to finding the perfect fit for both clients and candidates, ensuring long-term success and satisfaction. We understand the unique demands of the industry and strive to exceed expectations in every search.
Our track record speaks for itself, and we continue to raise the bar in talent acquisition, setting new standards of professionalism and expertise. Trust DART Talent & Executive Search to elevate your team to the next level.
Meet the team
Daniel Aghdami
MANAGING PARTNER
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Daniel Aghdami founded DART Talent & Executive Search in 2009 with the vision of creating an exceptional Wealth- and Asset Management search partner to a select client base. He gained his knowledge at several leading, global financial institutions and a search boutique.
Daniel specialises in executive level searches with a particular focus on Investments and the EMEA region. Passion, quality and drive fuel his successful track record. In his little free time you can try to catch Daniel running, snowboarding, racing his car on the track or relaxing with his family and dog Henry.
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Daniel is a seasoned expert with a strong track record in covering a wide range of roles across the financial sector. He specialised in covering mandates for Hedge Funds and Family Offices.
Simona Cascarano
SENIOR CONSULTANT & CAREER COACH
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Simona stands at the forefront of innovation, with a keen focus on mandates in Web3, Blockchain, Fintech, and Cryptocurrency. Her journey through various international roles in Insurance, Financial Services, and Executive Search has equipped her with a unique perspective on the industry’s growth and the development of global business strategies.
A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Simona actively champions the advancement of women in finance, serving as an ambassador and a source of inspiration for female professionals navigating the Financial landscape.
Her strategic approach to client acquisition and key account management is marked by consistent communication with business leaders and a dedication to sustaining long-term professional relationships. Simona’s commitment to her clients and her advocacy work is integral to her mission of driving innovation and inclusivity in the professional world.
In her personal time, Simona deeply values moments spent in nature or engaged in yoga, which provide a foundation for balance and reflection. These practices not only refresh her but also subtly influence her professional engagements by fostering a mindset oriented towards calm, focus, and creativity. -
Simona covers ours mandates within Wealth Management as well Web3, Blockchain, Fintech, and Cryptocurrency.
Simon Steffen
SENIOR CONSULTANT
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As a Senior Consultant at DART, Simon has more than 8 years of experience in executive search, with a deep specialization in asset management and private markets. His strategic approach to recruitment is tailored to the intricate needs of investment teams, corporate roles, and sales candidates within these sectors.
His proficiency in asset management is complemented by his knowledge of private markets, where he adeptly identifies and places top-tier talent in investment teams, corporate functions, sales positions and c-level roles. Simon’s comprehensive strategic understanding of the financial services industry, combined with his senior-level consulting acumen, ensures a precise fit for organizations seeking best talent in asset management and beyond.
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Simon covers our mandates within Asset Management and the Alternatives space.
Liisa Unenge
SENIOR RESEARCHER & STRATEGIC PROJECT COORDINATOR
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Liisa, a Swedish native with a zest for the great outdoors, brings a unique blend of resilience and optimism to her role as the HR Business Manager and Senior Researcher at DART Talent & Executive Search. Her background in marketing and communications has fueled her passion for understanding human interactions, which she adeptly applies to her work in executive search.
At DART, Liisa is driving the research efforts, across the financial services. In her dual role, Liisa spearheads strategic HR initiatives and oversees the firm’s internal business and people strategies. Her leadership in research is instrumental in sourcing and aligning top talent with pivotal positions in the Financial Services industry, thereby driving a positive and sustainable impact. Liisa’s commitment to excellence and her ability to illuminate the bright side of every challenge make her an invaluable asset to the DART team and the broader executive search landscape.
Her academic credentials, including a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Helsinki and a certificate in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge, complement her professional acumen.
When Liisa is not conducting research at DART you will find her hiking in the surroundings of her new home in Barcelona, accompanied by her two dogs, or in the kitchen cooking up a vegetarian storm.
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Research Expertise
Wealth Management
Risk (Compliance, Market Risk, Operational Risk, Legal, Cyber Risk, Insurance)
Fintech / Blockchain / Web
Family Offices
Strategic Project Coordinator
Sociology & Human Group Behaviour
Project efficiency and internal processes
Internal business strategies & client service excellenceDigital marketing, communication (external and internal) and PR
Recruitment & Executive Search
Larissa Cantiere
RESEARCH ANALYST
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Born in Brazil and naturalized in Italy, Larissa brings an international and dynamic background. Her experience working in several countries and different setups has enabled her to develop essential soft skills for the executive search industry.
Larissa launched her career in executive search during her Bachelor’s studies and has gained experience across LATAM and EMEA. Passionate about how the right people can contribute to an organization, her experience lies within the Life Science, Consumer Goods, and Financial Services sectors, focused on C-level positions. At DART, she supports our Consultants with the execution of each mandate.
Outside of her working hours, you can find her chasing the sun, exploring a new culture, or learning a new language.
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Research Expertise
Asset ManagementFamily Offices
Hedge Funds
Fintech / Blockchain / Web
Meet our Advisory Board
Mike Hammond
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Mike Hammond was the Group Chief Executive of a leading private equity backed executive search and talent management firm, focused on the financial and business professional services sectors.
Prior to leading the turnaround and successful repositioning of this business, Mike spent 25 years as a leading investment banker. Mike was UniCredit Group’s Executive Vice President and Global Co-Head of Markets with specific responsibility for Rates, Foreign Exchange, Credit, Commodities, Equities & Capital Markets. Within this role he was responsible for all capital markets, trading and sales activity across the firm’s global locations. He was also a Board Member of AFME (The Association for Financial Markets in Europe).
Before joining UniCredit, Mike worked for Merrill Lynch in New York & London as a Senior Managing Director. In his 10 years at Merrill, Mike held a number of senior leadership positions globally in the Investment Banking & Markets Divisions, including the roles of Head of Capital Markets EMEA and Global Head of Equity/ Equity Derivative Sales & Sales Trading. He also served as a member of the Investment Banking & Equities Executive Management Committees.
He joined Merrill Lynch in New York from UBS where he was an Executive Director in the Markets Division.
Mike holds a BA (Hons) in European Business from Middlesex Business School London, the first European Union sponsored business program and a Diplome d’Etudes Superieures Europeennes de Management from L’Ecole Superieure de Commerce (ESC) Reims, France. These were complimented with studies at The London Business School.
Mike is married with 4 children and lives in London.
Karsten Le Blanc
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Before retiring from his banking career, Karsten Le Blanc was a Managing Director in the International Wealth Management division of Credit Suisse in London, where he was responsible for the bank’s UK Ultra High Net Worth Clients business. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank AG, London in the Asset & Wealth Management division.
From 1992 until 2013 he worked at Credit Suisse in a variety of senior roles in the investment bank’s Fixed Income and Equity divisions in London and Zurich before moving to the bank’s Wealth Management division in 2006. He began his career at Credit Lyonnais in Paris in 1990 in Fixed Income Derivatives. Karsten has non-executive director roles with various private companies in addition to his role at DART and is an active private investor. He holds a degree in Economics from Tilburg University in The Netherlands.
Karsten is an active participant in historic and modern motorsport, loves skiing, cycling and generally staying fit. Travel and enjoying good food in great company are other favourite pastimes.
Roger Zubler
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Roger Zubler, who is based in Hong Kong, has worked for Credit Suisse for over 30 years in various management positions. Among others as Regional Head Wealthy Families / UHNWI and Regional Head Institutional Clients. Roger has also managed important transformation projects for Credit Suisse in the area of digitalisation and distribution strategy in Switzerland, Europe and New York.
He Roger Zubler - DART Talent and Executive Search Advisory Boardis a member of the advisory board of a FinTech start-up in Singapore and a board member of a non-profit foundation in Switzerland. Thanks to his broad-based expertise and his extensive network in APAC, he will drive DART’s strategic expansion in APAC and further expand the company’s digital presence. Roger’s appointment is an integral part of the company’s long-term growth strategy and underscores the company’s commitment to accelerate and expand its services to a global client base.
Simone Thompson
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Simone Thompson spent 18 years at UBS working in asset management, wealth management and corporate center, holding various senior positions. In 2012, she took on the position of Chief of Staff to the President of UBS Wealth Management (WM), executing on key strategic programs. Her areas of expertise include marketing, sales, business development, project management, cultural change, philanthropy and fundraising. She holds an Honours Degree in Law and French (LLB Hons.), has studied finance and behavioural economics at Harvard Business School and behavioural economics at the London School of Economics (LSE). She is an alumnus of INSEAD (AMP) and has completed an executive education at IMD Business School, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing and Kellogg School of Management in Chicago. She is currently advisor to a number of non/for profit boards predominantly in the start-up space focussing on sustainability.
Jillian MacNab
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Jillian MacNab started her career as an attorney at Bär & Karrer in the banking and corporate law practice. Graduating with a MBA from RSM Rotterdam School of Management at the Erasmus University with a focus on finance brought her into the financial industry, where she gained experience as a lawyer with UBS, as senior counsel and member of the executive committee at Goldman Sachs in Zürich, and in various compliance roles at Credit Suisse and in the private equity industry.
In 2014, Jillian became a founding partner of Künzi / MacNab, attorneys at law. She will be responsible for all legal matters within the Advisory Board.
Jillian is admitted to the Zürich bar and lives near Zurich with her family.
Some of our open opportunities
To discover some of our current mandates, please visit our Career Board which we update regularly.
Previous Projects
Open roles at DART
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Position: Partner, Executive Search
Location: Zurich, Geneva, London or Frankfurt
Are you a senior Executive Search professional with an established client base and network of professionals in your area of expertise? Are you known as a dependable and trusted advisor to your clients? Is it time you put your added value into a nimble, entrepreneurial and award-winning company, help to shape its successful future, and be rewarded for your contribution through its partnership structure?
Your Role
As a Partner at DART Talent & Executive Search, you will enjoy a variety of responsibilities across client- and business development, leadership, and the strategic development of the company through new business initiatives, and / or the growth of its international business with clients.
Joining the leadership team at our head office in Zurich, you will specifically:
Contribute towards our continued business growth across EMEA in the Wealth- and Asset Management space
Acquire search mandates and oversee their successful execution
Acquire new clients, maintain high-level key account management through regular contact to the business leaders / key decision makers, whilst delegating
Broaden our relationships and service offering to existing clients
Recruit and provide leadership to Consultants and Talent Scouts
Act as a brand ambassador at events and other PR channels, contributing through thought leadership in media and the press
Promote our Access Talent program, and support our commitment to gender diversity and equality
At DART we work closely as a team, so you can count on your colleagues’ help and input where required to achieve the very best outcome. We specifically cover the Wealth Management and Asset Management sectors in Zurich, Geneva, London, Frankfurt and other financial hubs across Europe and the Middle East in a range of roles at senior levels.
What we can offer you
We offer you:
The opportunity to join the leadership team of a growing success story.
The opportunity be truly entrepreneurial – with the reassurance of the strong reputation, track record and proven business model of over 8 years’ market presence. We have high aspirations, and recognise the importance of adding experienced talent to our leadership, to complement our strategy of developing talent in-house.
An Advisory Board comprising of senior executives with experience in banking and executive search, and the networks, guidance and interest in contributing to our success.
An excellent (even if we do say so ourselves), highly diverse team that fosters a fun, driven, quality-focused and respectful environment within which to thrive
Top lake-side location in central Zurich
Transparent remuneration structure in which your entrepreneurship and leadership is generously rewarded. An equity scheme ensures strong long-term incentives and rewards for high performers.
What we expect from you
Strong knowledge of Asset Management, Wealth Management or Investment Banking
Experience of developing a client base and interacting with key decision makers in the sector
An excellent network of senior influencers in the banking, investment management or family office space who trust you, with regional / global responsibilities.
Proven leadership, and project management skills
Strong people- and communication skills, and an ability to build trust with internal and external stakeholders
Influencing skills and the gravitas to represent the firm’s and our clients’ interests in front of senior audiences
A profitable track record in Executive Search, with the experience of acquiring and successfully executing retained search mandates
Strong values and integrity
Drive, tenacity and energy, as well as the will to belong to the best in your area of expertise
Creativity and open-mindedness
All the above whilst maintaining a “we” rather than “I” approach to success
Fluent English and one other European language or Arabic
Who are we?
An award-winning team with ambition, and passion for its business, clients and success. A team that shares a vision of delivering the very best service, care and creativity to a select number of clients whose businesses and people we connect with and believe in. A team who enjoy good humor and a laugh whilst we go about our business!
Interested?
Please get in touch with Daniel Aghdami, our Managing Partner, confidentially via Carmen Bridgman at +41 44 215 1080, or directly via LinkedIn.
