Letter from
Our CEO

Kristien Esser
Kristien Esser

CEO & Founder

30 Years MedTech Experience

Letter from
Our CEO

"When I founded Guided Solutions at 26, I had a simple but ambitious vision: to build an executive search firm that would genuinely differentiate itself in how it delivers talent for disruptive MedTech companies.

Twenty-six years later, that vision has evolved into something I'm deeply proud of. We've placed over 10,000 professionals, served 630+ companies, and opened offices across five countries. More importantly, we've stayed true to our founding principle that character matters as much as competence.

What sets us apart isn't just our exclusive focus on MedTech or our decades of experience. It is our relentless commitment to finding leaders who do not just have the right skills but who also share your passion for improving patient outcomes. We do not stop when we find 'enough' candidates. We keep going until you are genuinely excited about your new leader.

The real measure of a good hire is what it unlocks. A company that raises its next round. A leader who grows into a bigger role. A client who calls us back years later because they trust us to get it right again. That is how we have always kept score."

Our Core Value

The principles that guide every decision we make and every leader we place, ensuring lasting impact on human health.

We Don't Stop Until You're Happy

Not when the shortlist looks good. We stop when you're genuinely excited about who's on it.

Our Journey

Meet the experienced professionals driving innovation in MedTech executive search across the globe.

Our Story Begins

2000

Kristien Esser founded Guided Solutions to challenge the accepted norms of how an executive search consultancy should operate. Over two decades later, the same core team continues to lead that vision forward.

Global Expansion

2012

We sharpened our focus on Executive Search, channelling our expertise into a compelling offer that led to our global expansion across EMEA, APAC, and the US.

Centre of Excellence

2018

We opened our Center of Excellence in Sofia, growing our team to meet the demands of an expanding client base - and marked the milestone of 5,000 successful placements.

Germany Office Opens

2024

With the appointment of our Country Manager Marco Müller, we opened our Germany office in Frankfurt, allowing us to be closer to Europe’s largest MedTech market.

Growing Recognition

2008

Medtronic selected Guide Solutions as its exclusive RPO partner across the UK and Ireland - a clear testament to the industry’s growing trust in our team.

Aesthetics Division Founded

2015

Headed by Nicole Shield, our Aesthetics division grew and in 2024 spun off as ValuraNova, the first Executive Search company dedicated solely to Medical Aesthetics.

Swiss Expansion

2020

We obtained a SECO recruitment license and opened a new office in Zug, Switzerland.

Expansion Across the Atlantic

2025

Guided Solutions landed in Charleston, South Carolina and attracted its first US employees. This was the natural step forward for our growing footprint in the US market. The same year we celebrated our 25th anniversary.

Our Story Begins

2000

Kristien Esser founded Guided Solutions to challenge the accepted norms of how an executive search consultancy should operate. Over two decades later, the same core team continues to lead that vision forward.

Growing Recognition

2008

Medtronic selected Guide Solutions as its exclusive RPO partner across the UK and Ireland - a clear testament to the industry’s growing trust in our team.

Global Expansion

2012

We sharpened our focus on Executive Search, channelling our expertise into a compelling offer that led to our global expansion across EMEA, APAC, and the US.

Aesthetics Division Founded

2015

Headed by Nicole Shield, our Aesthetics division grew and in 2024 spun off as ValuraNova, the first Executive Search company dedicated solely to Medical Aesthetics.

Centre of Excellence

2018

We opened our Center of Excellence in Sofia, growing our team to meet the demands of an expanding client base - and marked the milestone of 5,000 successful placements.

Swiss Expansion

2020

We obtained a SECO recruitment license and opened a new office in Zug, Switzerland.

Germany Office Opens

2024

With the appointment of our Country Manager Marco Müller, we opened our Germany office in Frankfurt, allowing us to be closer to Europe’s largest MedTech market.

Expansion Across the Atlantic

2025

Guided Solutions landed in Charleston, South Carolina and attracted its first US employees. This was the natural step forward for our growing footprint in the US market. The same year we celebrated our 25th anniversary.

Our Team

Meet the experienced professionals driving innovation in MedTech executive search across the globe.

Kristien Esser

CEO & Founder

Kristien Esser
30 Years MedTech Experience

David Gray

Director and Executive Search Consultant

David Gray
21 Years MedTech Experience

Jonathan Kerriss

Director and Executive Search Consultant

Jonathan Kerriss
23 Years MedTech Experience

Nicole Shield

Director, Medical Aesthetics

Nicole Shield
16 Years MedTech Experience

Damé Medarski

Marketing Director

Damé Medarski
14 Years MedTech Experience

Marco Müller

Managing Director Germany

Marco Müller
7 Years MedTech Experience

Darren Collier

Executive Search Leader

Darren Collier
25 Years MedTech Experience

Tessa Fletcher

Executive Search Consultant

Tessa Fletcher
18 Years MedTech Experience

Toni Staleva

Executive Search Consultant

Toni Staleva
5 Years MedTech Experience

Megan Percival

Executive Research Consultant and Candidate Manager

Megan Percival
11 Years MedTech Experience

Helena Munro

Executive Search Consultant

Helena Munro
4 Years MedTech Experience

Silviya Totevska

International Candidate Manager

Silviya Totevska
9 Years MedTech Experience

Andra Stanca

Executive Search Consultant

Andra Stanca
2 Years MedTech Experience

Priya Schrenk

Executive Search Consultant

Priya Schrenk
4 Years MedTech Experience

Ani Medarski

Executive Recruitment and Accounts Coordinator

Ani Medarski
10 Years MedTech Experience

Bilyana Hadzhikyanova

Head of Marketing

Bilyana Hadzhikyanova
3 Years MedTech Experience

Zhuliyana Boyanova-Dimitrova

Digital Marketing Manager

Zhuliyana Boyanova-Dimitrova
3 Years MedTech Experience

Bozhidar Ivanov

Marketing Specialist

Bozhidar Ivanov
2 Years MedTech Experience

Lora Ivanova

Marketing Assistant

Lora Ivanova
2 Years MedTech Experience

Karolina Dimitrova

General Assistant

Karolina Dimitrova
2 Years MedTech Experience

You’ve seen our story.
Now let's hear yours.