John Jennings

John Jennings is a Partner and a leader of WATSON’s Board Director and Executive Search practice, providing clients with tailored approaches and solutions to meet their particular needs. John is adept at teasing out the unique attributes of each search assignment while working closely with stakeholders and the WATSON recruitment team to identify the ideal candidate. An overt people person, John integrates his formal experience with a passion to serve clients and candidates on an individual basis, respectfully and effectively.

John brings that uncommon trifecta of experience to WATSON’s clients – senior executive, board member and search executive. Having been a CEO, COO, and interim CFO, he is intimately aware of the key issues facing management teams as they execute their strategic plan. Equally comfortable in the boardroom of public companies and not-for-profit organizations, John offers 30+ years of experience as Board Chair and Committee Chair, including CEO Selection, Audit & Finance, and Human Resources & Compensation.

Immediately prior to joining WATSON, John was a Senior Client Partner with Korn Ferry, a global people and organizational advisory firm, leading director and executive search assignments for clients across a wide range of sectors and functions. John garnered a reputation amongst his clients for building a strong working relationship with them, keeping stakeholders engaged and informed throughout a robust recruitment process to find the right candidate for the organization or boardroom.

His candour-infused approach resonates equally with candidates who appreciate John’s efforts to elevate them into challenging roles and, ultimately, to change the arc of their personal careers.

John is passionate about giving back to the community. He has chaired the boards of St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation and Capilano Golf & Country Club and also sat on the board of the Sovereign Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller. He currently serves as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the UBC Sauder School of Business Faculty Advisory Board. He was recognized for his community work with the 2011 BC Community Achievement Award.

John holds a B.Sc (Chemistry) from Western University and an MBA from London Business School and the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst.

When not at WATSON, John can be found on the golf course; currently a 13 handicap, he is a few elusive strokes away from achieving his lifelong goal of posting a single-digit handicap.