Heidrick & Struggles
Encyclopedia
Heidrick & Struggles International Incorporated (NASDAQ
:HSII) is a global executive search firm. The company claims to be the first leadership advisory firm in the world. In terms of 2009 revenue, publicly held Heidrick & Struggles is the world's second largest executive-search. It is one of the "Big Five" global generalist retained executive search
firms. The company claims to provide services to a wide spectrum of industries, and focuses on identifying, evaluating, and recommending candidates for senior level executive positions for corporations and enterprises around the world. Heidrick & Struggles is noted for some of its high profile assignments and placements including recruiting Eric Schmidt in 2004 into the role of the CEO of Google
. A Wall Street Journal survey in 2000 ranked it as the best executive search firm in the world in terms of quality of candidates, reputation, and value of services among senior-level decision makers in corporate America.
. It is one of the oldest executive search firms in terms of year of foundation and the oldest of the five global executive search firms. John Struggles had worked as a personnel manager for Montgomery Ward and later in President Dwight D. Eisenhower
’s United States Department of Commerce
. Heidrick recruited Struggles to be his partner, and they established the firm in Chicago. The company's first three clients were West Virginia Coal & Coke Corporation, Northern Trust
, and Continental Can. The company converted its structure from a
partnership to a corporation in 1957. In the late 1950s, the company hired Oscar Beveridge, who headed public relations at Booz Allen Hamilton, to further develop the company and he created the company's first brochure and thought leadership research pieces.
While the company prospered in its early years, its operations grew at a relatively slow pace until the arrival of Gerard Roche in 1964. Roche introduced a methodical search for job openings. Roche led much of the company's growth during the 1960s to 1980s and served as its Senior Chairman until 2009 .
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
:HSII) is a global executive search firm. The company claims to be the first leadership advisory firm in the world. In terms of 2009 revenue, publicly held Heidrick & Struggles is the world's second largest executive-search. It is one of the "Big Five" global generalist retained executive search
Executive search
Executive search is the consultative process of recruiting individuals to fill senior executive positions in organizations. Executive search may be performed by an organization's board of directors, or by an outside executive search organization....
firms. The company claims to provide services to a wide spectrum of industries, and focuses on identifying, evaluating, and recommending candidates for senior level executive positions for corporations and enterprises around the world. Heidrick & Struggles is noted for some of its high profile assignments and placements including recruiting Eric Schmidt in 2004 into the role of the CEO of Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
. A Wall Street Journal survey in 2000 ranked it as the best executive search firm in the world in terms of quality of candidates, reputation, and value of services among senior-level decision makers in corporate America.
History
The company was founded in 1953 by Gardner Heidrick and John Struggles, both alumni of Booz Allen HamiltonBooz Allen Hamilton
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. , or more commonly Booz Allen, is an American public consulting firm headquartered in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, with 80 other offices throughout the United States. Ralph Shrader is its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The firm was founded by Edwin Booz in...
. It is one of the oldest executive search firms in terms of year of foundation and the oldest of the five global executive search firms. John Struggles had worked as a personnel manager for Montgomery Ward and later in President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
’s United States Department of Commerce
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
. Heidrick recruited Struggles to be his partner, and they established the firm in Chicago. The company's first three clients were West Virginia Coal & Coke Corporation, Northern Trust
Northern Trust
Northern Trust Corporation is an international financial services company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It provides investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking services through a network of 85 offices in 18 U.S. states and 12 international offices in North...
, and Continental Can. The company converted its structure from a
partnership to a corporation in 1957. In the late 1950s, the company hired Oscar Beveridge, who headed public relations at Booz Allen Hamilton, to further develop the company and he created the company's first brochure and thought leadership research pieces.
While the company prospered in its early years, its operations grew at a relatively slow pace until the arrival of Gerard Roche in 1964. Roche introduced a methodical search for job openings. Roche led much of the company's growth during the 1960s to 1980s and served as its Senior Chairman until 2009 .