Connecting People, shaping the future, creating added value - out of passion!

Thorsten Amend-Schnaar

CEO / Managing Partner

Connecting PEOPLE and COMPANIES to become more successful!

Sustainable personnel consulting is a matter of trust and far more than discrete headhunting for the right candidate.

My mission as a headhunter and advisor is to connect people and accompany them as a sparring partner so that they make their own company more successful – this is how I create added value and a stable basis for long-term and successful relationships.

The foundation for cooperation with clients and candidates consists of trust, respect, mutual appreciation and mindfulness in personal interaction – but above all, it is passion for what you do.

My job in executive search begins with a comprehensive look at the organization of a company and a constructive-critical questioning of ideal ideas, objectives and expectations of the individual stakeholders.

On the way to a sustainable occupation, it is often necessary to moderate between the parties until all the building blocks have been put together to form a solid foundation for long-term successful cooperation.

It is important to me to actively and personally accompany all those involved throughout the entire process and to support them as a sparring partner beyond onboarding.

As a coach, I am available to individuals and companies as a neutral listener, questioner, impulse and feedback provider, and as a consultant and mediator.

About me

After completing my studies in economic sciences at Lüneburg University, I started my first job in product management with an owner-led company in Germany and Spain.

In 1998, I began work for a company in various professional roles within procurement, product management, and later on as a leader of a business unit.

My next position was as a member of the Executive Board of a medium-sized family-owned company, responsible for commercial and strategic business.

After that, I worked internationally als Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of a medium-sized company.

I now support companies with Executive Search, Succession Planning, Board Executive Search and Advisory.

Executive Search and Selection of Executive Managers, Business Leaders, Supervisory and Advisory Board Members

Discreet headhunting is not enough and a deep understanding of the respective business models is required.

The following questions are always the focus of discussions with clients:

How do the boards and management levels have to be set up in order to develop a company sustainably?
Which management skills does a manager have to bring to the table in order to continue to successfully cope with new challenges and changes in the future?

It is not a question of formal and professional qualifications whether a managing director or a management team leads a company to success – these are basic requirements. In addition to the “culture fit”, it is crucial how concrete challenges and constantly changing framework conditions are successfully mastered.
As Managing Partner of Höchsmann & Company, I have an executive search boutique, established for over 20 years, with a flexible and agile organization to develop tailor-made solutions for customers, supervise projects individually and personally take care of clients and candidates.
Together with the teams in our offices in Düsseldorf and Frankfurt, I support internationally active medium-sized companies, family businesses, smaller corporations as well as public organizations and candidates in putting the individual “pieces of the puzzle” together in such a way that a successful and sustainable occupation is guaranteed.
I am happy to explain specific questions and reference projects in a personal conversation.

Advisory & Executive Coaching

Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see more clearly and broaden one´s mind.

As a coach and Advisor, I accompany family businesses in succession planning and change processes.

In confidential one-to-one sessions, we focus on specific issues, discuss alternative actions, and identify and resolve doubts you may be unaware of.

I work with executive managers, business leaders and others, offering guidance around all aspects of their personal and business leadership objectives, particularly in phases of change processes, conflict situations, reflection, and decision-making as well as burnout prevention.

With an expanded “scope of possibilities”, new challenges can be recognized as opportunities and future tasks can be solved in the best and most efficient way.

I support you professionally in initiating your work-related and personal change process, setting priorities, clearing blockages and conflicts, and putting your visions into practice.

Appreciative and respectful interaction at eye level will form the basis of our professional cooperation. I guarantee a results-oriented process and absolute confidentiality.

In coaching I combine experience from my professional and personal environment with specific coaching and consulting skills. As my client, you will develop individual tools with my support in order to be prepared for new challenges and the daily “rush hour”.

References of clients and candidates

“We met Mr. Amend-Schnaar in the course of a discreet search assignment for a CCO and CFO position. He did his job with great empathy, fully understood our requirements, and was able to mirror a very concise idea of the perfect candidate after our initial discussions.

In addition to the professional approach to recruiting and finding the best candidate fit, we enjoyed continual support and transparent communication throughout the entire process. The cooperation with Mr. Amend-Schnaar was extremely pleasant, he was available at any time and was also available as a sparring partner for other accompanying topics.“

CEO of a business specializing in traffic, aviation, and logistics

„Mr Amend-Schnaar proved himself through his effective and professional approach. Besides the accurate and realistic description of the entrepreneurial tasks of the position, I specifically appreciated the conveying of the soft factors which were ultimately the decisive aspect for me. I also appreciated the fact that Mr Amend-Schnaar stayed in constant contact and offered his ongoing support after the onboarding period.“

Candidate hired as CEO for an international medium-sized packaging firm

„I was interested in a position as Division Manager HR with a larger mid-sized company. Even in our very first telephone conversation I had the impression that you had a good feeling on who could be a perfect fit for the position. This impression was confirmed during the subsequent discussions with executive staff of the company. Both parties found it to be an excellent fit, resulting in a quick hire. The interactions were always open, authentic, and appreciative. After taking up my new function as HR Division Manager I decided to continue working with you and started with our first collaborative project. Besides the points already mentioned, I specifically appreciated the open and honest exchange during the project and your pragmatic approach. Happy to use you again.“

Division Manager HR at an international trading and logistics company