Olaf H. Szangolies

Olaf has been with Odgers at the Frankfurt office since 2015.

I work with owners, supervisory bodies, investors, and other key decision-makers when companies need a new CEO or a renewed leadership team because they are entering a critical phase, or because the business model, generational structure, or ownership structure is changing. In these situations, what matters is accountability, decisiveness, and the ability to lead organizations through uncertainty, transformation, and growth.

As a Partner and Shareholder at Odgers, I bring two decades of experience in executive search and leadership advisory. My focus lies on appointing top management roles in succession, turnaround, and transformation contexts—settings in which strategic clarity, leadership strength, and sound governance are essential.

My team and I primarily work within the industrial and manufacturing sectors, particularly in automotive, mechanical engineering, technology, electronics, and process industries. In environments where established business models intersect with digitalization/AI, software, new value chains, and increasing competitive pressure, the right leadership determines whether an organization moves forward or stands still.

We support companies both in succession planning and in filling additional critical leadership roles that are essential for strategy, transformation, growth, and innovation. These include, alongside general management roles, positions across the entire value chain—CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CPO, and CSO.

My personal focus is on combining entrepreneurial thinking, clear decision making capability, technological future readiness, and strong interpersonal intuition. I work with leaders who are prepared to take responsibility, guide organizations through critical moments, and realign them for the future—and with owners who aim to create the right conditions for such leadership to succeed.