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IMD International Search and Consulting Members From 24 Countries Converge on New York to Discuss Changes in the Executive Search Industry

IMD Executive Search Leaders Joined by Peter Felix, Joseph Daniel McCool and Bloomberg News Top Editor Martin Schenker

New York, NY (June 17, 2008) – As one of the world’s leading executive search organizations, IMD International Search and Consulting has offices in 24 countries around the globe. Representatives from each office recently convened in New York for a meeting of the minds about the evolving executive search industry and to unveil the findings of “The Changing Face at the Top,” IMD’s global survey of nearly 400 senior human resources executives who shared their insights on the demographic make-up of the C-Suite (Chairman/CEO and executive management team).

Joining IMD executives was Peter Felix, president of AESC (Association of Executive Search Consultants), who discussed the record growth rate of the global retained executive search industry from statistics and trends data collected from AESC member search firms that represent the activity of over 1,500 executive search consultants in 46 countries worldwide.

Also speaking at the conference was author and industry expert Joseph Daniel McCool, who’s groundbreaking new book, “Deciding Who Leads: How Executive Recruiters Drive, Direct & Disrupt the Global Search for Leadership Talent,” explores the global executive search consulting business and its impact on corporate leadership, organizational culture, and management succession. McCool’s discussion focused on exploring structural, competitive and strategic threats and opportunities in the global executive search market.

A third special guest speaker was Martin Schenker, Top Editor, World News at Bloomberg News, who is responsible for deciding which of the 4,000 daily Bloomberg News stories are displayed on the Bloomberg system’s “TOP” pages and Bloomberg.com. Schenker discussed the pace of electronic media and information transmission, how the technology affects the worldwide financial markets, as well as the speed of decision making at the executive level in today’s global organizations.

The other major component of the meeting was the presentation of “The Changing Face at the Top” survey results on the demographic make-up of the C-Suite, as well as trends regarding talent demand and acquisition, diversity and succession planning. The overall findings, following decades of discussion and attempted initiatives, is that the business world is not yet embracing women and minorities in the C-Suite, nor has executive level succession planning been an effective strategy in easing the talent crunch facing most international companies.

“With the speed and ways in which the business world is presently changing, it was very enlightening to meet with our executive search partners from around the world, as well as hear from industry leaders such as Peter Felix and Joseph McCool,” said Albert Hiribarrondo, managing partner of Sirca/IMD (France) and chairman of the IMD International board. “Sometimes you think the issues you are facing are only prevalent in your own country, but this meeting proved that many industry and business issues are worldwide. Those discoveries led to some great discussions about solutions and the overall executive search industry.”

Thomas Fuller, general managing partner of Epsen Fuller/IMD International Search Group (United States) and also an IMD International board director, added, “It was a pleasure to host IMD leaders from around the world, as this meeting proved extremely beneficial for all participants. Additionally, our guest speakers truly added to the overall content of what’s happening within the industry and the global business world.”

About IMD International Search and Consulting
Founded in 1972, IMD International Search and Consulting is the world’s 14th largest organization of global executive search firms with more than 40 offices and 175 consultants in 24 countries in The Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Providing instant access to a world-class executive talent pool serving the global economy, IMD International specializes in placing top-tier executives throughout the world in the areas of telecommunications and technology, pharmaceutical and life sciences, consumer goods and media, industrial and manufacturing, and financial and professional services. For more information, visit www.imd-search.com. # # #