Executive Search Builds Momentum, According to
AESC
Q1 Data Reveals Widespread Growth in Executive Recruitment Across All Industries
May 12, 2010 07:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time
NEW YORK--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The first quarter of this year showed further positive signs of
recovery for the senior executive search industry around the world with annual growth of 30.2 per cent in new
executive search mandates and a 22 per cent rise in revenues – revealed new data from the Association of Executive
Search Consultants (AESC).
All industry sectors included in the survey enjoyed annual and quarterly increases in new search activity with the most
significant annual growth witnessed in the Financial (+39.2%) and Technology (+37.3%) sectors. This was followed
by notable yearly growth in Life Sciences/Healthcare (+26.4%), Consumer (+25%) and Industrial (+20.1%).
AESC President Peter Felix commented, “These global search industry statistics confirm that senior executive
recruitment is continuing its pullback from the rigor mortis of 12 months ago. While the first quarter figures are in
themselves encouraging, what is more so is the cumulative growth since our industry turned the corner in the third
quarter of last year. While momentum has been slow in coming, growth is now not only tangible but the rate of
growth is increasing.”
The Asia Pacific region experienced a significant year-on-year rise in new search mandates in Q1 this year
(+48.3%), followed by North America (+29%) and Europe (+26%).
Mr. Felix added, “This indication of renewed hiring at the senior executive level will give greater confidence to
executives who are either in transition or considering career changes. Our recent BlueSteps.com survey suggested
that 41 per cent of executives are dissatisfied with their present positions and would respond positively to a new
opportunity. We are not yet “out of the woods” but the underlying trends of talent shortage - caused by changing
demographics and the demand from emerging marke