EGM Partners co-founder appointed CEO as firm enters next chapter
The appointment follows the firm’s 10-year milestone and the establishment of an Advisory Board to support its long-term ambitions.
Adelaide recruitment and executive search firm EGM Partners is entering a new phase of growth, with co-founder Yasmine Johnson stepping into the role of chief executive officer as the business strengthens its leadership structure and long-term ambitions.
The appointment follows the company’s 10-year anniversary and the recent establishment of an Advisory Board, marking a significant milestone in its evolution from an entrepreneurial, founder-led business into a more strategically structured organisation.
Over the past decade, EGM Partners has established itself as one of South Australia’s premier recruitment and executive search firms, working with organisations across the country to attract, develop and appoint talent.
Johnson said the move to a more defined leadership structure reflected the changing needs of a business that had grown considerably since its beginnings.
“When you start a business, you wear every hat,” she said. “You’re involved in everything, from the smallest operational decisions to the biggest strategic opportunities.
“But, as a business grows, the leadership model needs to evolve with it.
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“For us, the last 10 years have been about building a strong business, establishing our reputation and creating meaningful relationships across South Australia. The next chapter is about building the structure, leadership capability and sophistication required to take EGM further.”
Johnson brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the CEO role, having developed her leadership foundations well before establishing EGM. Her career has involved leading large teams and holding previous senior leadership positions with Hudson and Nexus and Locher Human Resources (ASX: RUB – Rubicor Group).
Having stepped into leadership at a young age, Johnson has spent much of her career developing a deep understanding of what makes people and teams thrive. Her experience has shaped a leadership philosophy centred on genuinely understanding people, motivating individuals to perform at their best and building strong, connected cultures where both people and businesses can succeed.
The CEO appointment is part of a broader strategy to strengthen governance, strategic leadership and operational excellence, while positioning the business for sustainable growth.
The establishment of an Advisory Board has been another important step, providing additional strategic perspective, external challenge and accountability as the company plans its next stage.
Johnson said the board had encouraged the business to take a more considered approach to its future direction.
“We’ve always been ambitious, but ambition alone isn’t enough,” she said. “As businesses mature, they need greater discipline around strategy, governance, performance and decision-making. Our Advisory Board has helped us think differently about what the next stage of EGM should look like.”
In her new role, Johnson will take greater responsibility for setting the company’s strategic direction, strengthening its leadership team, identifying growth opportunities and ensuring the business continues to deliver outcomes for clients and candidates.
The transition also signals a renewed focus on building the internal capabilities and systems needed to support the company’s expanding operations.
EGM will retain its strong South Australian foundations while continuing to invest in its specialist recruitment capabilities, executive search offering, people and client relationships.
For Johnson, the company’s next chapter is as much about maintaining its original purpose as it is about pursuing new opportunities.
“One thing that won’t change is why we started EGM in the first place – to build better companies and contribute to the growth and prosperity of South Australia,” she said.
“What will change is how we position ourselves to deliver on that purpose at a greater scale.
“We want to build a business that is not only successful today, but one that has the leadership, systems and foundations to thrive well into the future.”
The appointment represents a shift in how EGM Partners approaches its leadership and growth, with a focus on creating an organisation built to support its ambitions well beyond its first decade.
EGM co-founder Mark Johnson said his wife and business partner had been “instrumental in building EGM into the business it is today”.
“I couldn’t be prouder to see her step into the CEO role,” he said. “She’s an exceptional leader who genuinely cares about our people, our clients and doing things the right way.
“We’ve built something pretty special over the years, but the exciting part is that we’re only getting started. Yasmine is absolutely the right person to lead EGM into its next chapter, and I can’t wait to see what we achieve.”
Levi Mitchell, the Chair of the Board, said “Mark and Yasmine have built a formidable business. The Advisory Board if firmly behind Yasmine taking on the CEO role. It is the right move for EGM, plays to the strengths of both founders and gives the firm the leadership it needs for its next chapter.”
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