Five Below Strengthens Leadership Amid Retail Growth and Executive Search Expansion
- Five Below emphasizes strong leadership to maintain competitive advantage amid retail sector growth and market challenges.
- ECB STAR Group expands its leadership team to enhance expertise in sectors critical to Five Below's strategic goals.
- The evolving retail landscape highlights the importance of aligned leadership for Five Below's continued growth and success.

Five Below Expands Leadership to Enhance Sector Expertise Amid Retail Growth
In a significant development within the executive search sector, ECB STAR Group, a retained executive search firm under Alvarez & Marsal Inc.’s LSS Strategic Partners, showcases impressive growth, recording a 146% increase since its acquisition and rebranding. This growth trajectory is further bolstered by the recent appointments of five seasoned professionals to its global leadership team. The new hires include Graham Michener, Jamie Page, Nick Carrad, Scott Reid, and Carlos Garcia, each bringing specialized expertise in financial services, industrial assets, law, commodities, and supply chain management. These strategic appointments reflect ECB STAR Group's commitment to enhancing its sector capabilities and addressing the rising demand for adept leadership in various industries.
Tom Wilkinson, the CEO of ECB STAR Group, emphasizes the critical role these new leaders play in fortifying the firm’s ability to deliver effective solutions to clients facing leadership challenges. The firm’s expanded expertise is particularly relevant in sectors like technology and healthcare, where the need for innovative leadership is paramount. Additionally, the anticipated growth of the firm’s headcount by nearly 200% in the upcoming months indicates a proactive approach to meet the increasing demand for executive search services, particularly at the Board and C-Suite levels. As organizations navigate complex market dynamics, the importance of aligning leadership with strategic business goals cannot be overstated.
Darin DeWitt, the newly appointed President of Executive Search, highlights the evolving landscape of client needs, which has prompted ECB STAR Group to diversify its service offerings. The firm now operates across four distinct business lines: Executive Search, Milestone for project-based advisory services, On-Demand for recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), and Pre-Deal services. This comprehensive approach positions ECB STAR Group to effectively support clients in making pivotal leadership decisions that drive value creation. With an enhanced leadership team and expanded sector coverage, the firm is poised to deliver tailored solutions that align with clients' objectives, reinforcing its status as a premier executive search and talent advisory firm.
In addition to its growth in leadership, ECB STAR Group's strategy underscores a broader trend in the retail industry, where companies increasingly recognize the value of strategic leadership in navigating market challenges. As Five Below continues to expand its footprint in the retail sector, the emphasis on strong, aligned leadership will be crucial in maintaining competitive advantage and driving growth in a rapidly changing market landscape.
Overall, the recent developments at ECB STAR Group reflect a robust response to the evolving demands for executive talent, positioning the firm as a vital resource for organizations seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities in an increasingly complex business environment.