Wed, 9 May 2012

The number of new executive searches started in Q1 2012 increased by 2.5% compared to that seen in the final quarter of 2011, but industry revenues were down.

This is according to data from the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC), which shows revenues down 6.3% on the quarter, and 7% on Q1 2011.

Regionally, Central/South America saw a 10.6% increase in new searches, compared to 6.3% in Asia-Pacific and 3% in North America.

The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region saw a 1.4% decline on the previous quarter.

AESC president Peter Felix says: “Quarterly statistics are only one indicator of a trend but there is no doubt that confidence in the executive search market has declined since the end of last year and is unlikely to fully recover until we see clients regain their confidence about the future.”