Andreas von Specht, based in Paris and Frankfurt, founded AvS – International Trusted Advisors in 2011. He advises international Family Businesses, Family Offices and Financial Investors on CEO and Chair searches, board assessments, and family succession planning & corporate governance projects.

During his 17 years as a Partner with global search firm Egon Zehnder, Andreas was part of the German Leadership Team, headed the Frankfurt office, and led the European and later – based out of Paris – the Global Consumer and Retail Practice. Over time, Andreas increasingly focused on global family businesses and their succession and governance issues. He started his professional career in the consumer goods industry where he worked in various marketing, sales and general management positions with international family businesses Mars, Bacardi and Van Houten.

Andreas is a shareholder in several private companies and serves on a number of boards. He has represented the shareholders of his own extended family for more than 25 years on the Advisory Board of Berenberg Bank, Germany’s oldest private bank. He gained a degree in Business Administration from the European Business School network in Germany, the UK and France. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor sports, gardening and fine dining in France – and is passionate about international politics.