Executive search and leadership consulting services firm Heidrick & Struggles International has appointed Richard W Pehlke executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Pehlke will also serve on the firm’s executive committee, reporting directly to chief executive Kevin Kelly and will based out of the Chicago headquarters.

Pehlke most recently served as the executive VP and CFO of Grubb & Ellis Company, a commercial real estate services and investment management company.

He also served as executive VP and CFO and a member of the board of directors of global professional staffing and recruiting business Hudson Highland Group. Before then, Pehlke held senior financial positions in the business services, telecommunications, financial services, and food and consumer products industries.