Post by Benjamin Cordier

Run The Palace - Episode 4 This week’s loop was with a true RGF Executive Search Japan legend — Junko Dobbie Yoshizumi, our longest-serving colleague and one of the defining figures in our firm’s history. Last year, Junko celebrated 25 years with the business and is now starting her 26th year — a remarkable milestone in executive search. Over one loop around the Imperial Palace, we reflected on her journey from the early CDS days, through growth and change, and into today’s RGF Executive, now over 100 people strong. She talked fondly of the great leaders she worked with over the years, Simon Childs Jason Dacaret John Tucker Struan Mckay Junko has lived — and helped shape — every phase of that evolution. What stood out most is how clearly Junko is a people person. Great recruiters are genuinely interested in people — building trust, understanding motivations, and forming long-term relationships. Junko does this effortlessly with both candidates, clients and internally with colleagues, and it’s a big reason for her longevity and impact in the industry. We talked about one of her most memorable placements: a senior hire at Burberry Japan, where a promised development path was honoured one year later with a promotion to director. Years on, that same individual — then VP at Louis Vuitton — spoke publicly about the impact Junko had on his career. A lasting outcome built on trust and follow-through. When Junko reached her 25-year milestone, she decided to give back to the firm in a meaningful way: by documenting the history of CDS / RGF Executive Search. She’s currently finalising that story so that newer generations of colleagues — who may not know the nearly 30-year journey — have a reference point. Because this business has never just been about targets or numbers. It’s always been about people. That philosophy extends internally too. Junko places huge value on building trust with colleagues — really knowing them — because once that trust is there, it becomes much easier to confidently introduce a colleague to a client. Again, people first. It felt especially meaningful to run together on a day of significant change for the wider group with the announcement of that Fullcast had agreed to acquire RGF Talent Solutions Japan K.K. and RGF International Recruitment Holdings Limited. It was a timely reminder that while ownership structures, and brands evolve the core of any organisation is its people — and there’s strong optimism about the opportunities ahead, built on shared experience, trust, and values. One Loop, One Lesson: Great recruiting — and great businesses — are built on genuine human relationships. Showing real interest in people, earning trust over time, and doing what you say you’ll do. Titles change, companies evolve, but that never does. Thank you Junko. More loops, more conversations, more lessons to come. #RunThePalace #OneLoopOneLesson #RGFExecutiveSearch #Leadership #PeopleFirst Sunil Kulkarni Dr. David Sweet Richard Lyle