HeadFirst Global, a leader in STEM talent and workforce solutions, has announced the appointment of Edzard Overbeek as its new Group CEO. Overbeek succeeds Julia Robertson, who is stepping down after 25 years of influential leadership. The change comes at a pivotal moment for the company, following its acquisition of Impellam Group and HeadFirst Group in March 2024, positioning it for accelerated growth and innovation in the workforce solutions sector.
The appointment of Overbeek reflects HeadFirst Global’s ambition to redefine workforce solutions in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The company aims to leverage its cutting-edge HR technology platform to deliver intelligent, data-driven solutions for businesses and professionals across the globe. Overbeek’s appointment signals a commitment to expanding the company’s service offerings and enhancing its capacity to connect organisations with the world’s top STEM talent.
Overbeek brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held key leadership positions at global tech giants such as Fujitsu, Siemens, and Cisco Systems. He was responsible for overseeing the Global Services organisation at Cisco, which generated more than $12 billion in revenue. In 2016, Overbeek became CEO of HERE Technologies, where he successfully transformed the company into a leading global location data and technology platform.
Commenting on Overbeek’s appointment, the HeadFirst Global Board said, “Edzard is a dynamic and respected global technology leader, making him the ideal person to lead HeadFirst Global into its next phase of growth. His expertise in driving innovation and managing large, diverse teams will be instrumental in helping us achieve our ambitious goals and redefine the workforce solutions landscape.”
Overbeek himself expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, “HeadFirst Global is at the cutting edge of revolutionising workforce solutions. I am honoured to lead the company into its next chapter, where we will continue to connect businesses with the best STEM talent worldwide, helping them remain competitive in today’s fast-changing world.”
The company also expressed deep gratitude to outgoing CEO Julia Robertson for her exceptional leadership. Robertson, who has steered the company through significant growth and transformation, reflected on her tenure, saying, “I am proud of the ambitious strategy and progress that the team has made during my time as CEO. I am confident that with Edzard at the helm, HeadFirst Global will continue to thrive and break new ground.”
Robertson’s leadership journey began with her founding a recruitment business before she went on to serve as CEO of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). In addition to her role at HeadFirst Global, Robertson has spent over four decades in workforce and talent solutions, and her strategic vision has played a key role in shaping the company’s success.
The transition will be smooth, with Robertson and Overbeek working together in the coming months to ensure a seamless handover. HeadFirst Global is well-positioned to build on the momentum gained under Robertson’s leadership and to lead the next generation of workforce solutions with a focus on innovative technology and global talent.