Ben Williams is the chief executive officer of Spencer Stuart. Previously, Ben was responsible for the firm’s North American business, and prior to that, led the firm’s North American Financial Services Practice. In addition to his firm leadership responsibilities, Ben regularly advises clients on a variety of board and executive leadership recruitment, succession and culture-related matters.
Proven leadership experience
- Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Ben was president of the investment banking and capital markets broker-dealer of Wachovia, the nation’s fourth largest banking institution at the time.
- As head of Wachovia’s global markets and investment banking division, Ben led the firm’s fixed income and equity sales, trading and research activities, as well as investment banking, capital markets, corporate banking and commercial real estate.
- Responsible for over 5,000 employees worldwide, Ben was directly involved in the recruiting, hiring and onboarding of a number of the firm’s senior executives. Ben also served as a member of Wachovia's senior operating, asset liability and diversity committees and as a staff member on the risk committee of the board of directors.
Ben earned his B.A. in economics from Davidson College, where he served for nine years on the board of trustees, including service as vice chairman of the board and as a member of the executive committee. Ben received his M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.