The Barton Partnership announced that Melissa Chester has joined the firm as Vice President, North America, where she will help expand Independent Consulting and strengthen the firm’s Strategy and Transformation capabilities. The firm, which specializes in strategic talent solutions across value creation, strategy, and transformation, highlighted that Chester will work closely with senior leadership to accelerate client growth across private equity sponsors and portfolio companies.
Chester previously served as Managing Vice President, Strategic Accounts, at a large U.S.-based talent solutions firm. In that role, she led private equity enterprise relationships. She partnered with operating teams at large-cap funds and portfolio organizations, delivering consulting and talent solutions during periods of organizational and operational change. Her background includes extensive experience working directly with deal teams and portfolio leadership on initiatives tied to value creation, enterprise transformation, and commercial acceleration.
The appointment marks continued momentum in The Barton Partnership’s North American expansion this year, following senior hires including Michael J. Doud and BJ Clinton. Chester’s role will include partnering with Clinton, who leads the Independent Consulting practice in North America, and with Harry Chamberlain, who leads the U.S. Private Equity team within Executive Search, to provide an integrated approach for clients across interim, consulting and permanent engagements.
The Barton Partnership noted that Chester’s addition strengthens the firm’s ability to connect private equity investors and portfolio executives with practitioners who can drive transformation initiatives and operational change across industries. The firm emphasized its focus on delivering strategic talent solutions aligned to client growth agendas throughout the investment lifecycle.
KEY QUOTES:
“Melissa’s extensive experience supporting private equity firms and their portfolio companies makes her a perfect fit for our firm, and the timing is just right. We’re thrilled to have her join BJ Clinton in driving continued growth in the Transformation & Value Creation space within our Independent Consulting practice. Her experience also complements our Executive Search offering and the work of our U.S. Private Equity team, led by Harry Chamberlain.”
Michael J. Doud, Executive Vice President, North America, The Barton Partnership
“What drew me to The Barton Partnership is its client-centric focus and the agility to deliver precisely what private equity sponsors and portfolio leaders need, when they need it. Mike, BJ and the team have built a strong North American platform; my goal is to expand that momentum by listening closely to our clients’ transformation agendas and matching them with practitioners who not only have the functional toolkit but can lead organizations through change.”
Melissa Chester, Vice President, North America, The Barton Partnership
