Heidrick & Struggles Revs Up Expertise in Milan to Connect Italian Corporations to Top Leadership Talent

3 juni 2014 * Firm's Italian partner-in-charge anticipates growing need among Italian companies for executive succession planning and leadership consulting services. * With cross-border capabilities, Heidrick & Struggles is particularly well positioned to help family businesses grow internationally. MILAN, Italy, June 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq:HSII), a premier professional services firm serving the talent and leadership needs of top organizations globally, has brought together a new team of executive search consultants in Milan in anticipation of a national need for corporations to fill executive roles. "Over the next two years, we will see a growing trend among Italian corporations to place new executives in top leadership positions, including CEO roles, as we anticipate a wave of senior executive retirements," said Allessandra Bassetti, partner-in-charge at Heidrick & Struggles' Milan office. "Many companies are now working to develop strategic succession plans as they look to the future." Turnover resulting from retirements will also affect the Italian search industry itself, Bassetti said. "Heidrick & Struggles will be uniquely well positioned in Italy as we have a team of up-and-coming consultants. We will be among the very few players in the industry who won't be affected by retirements." Bassetti brings a global reach to searches for executive talent as a member of Heidrick & Struggles global Consumer Markets and Financial Officers practices. She works on domestic and cross-border projects within the retail, fashion, luxury, fast-moving consumer goods, food, media, entertainment, hospitality and leisure industries. Heidrick & Struggles works across borders as a truly international team, Bassetti said. "We have excellent connections to a deep pool of candidates throughout Europe and globally, and we operate internationally both in executive search and in leadership consulting." The firm specializes in helping leaders within entrepreneurial companies grow, she said. "We work particularly well with family businesses, the bread-and- butter of the Italian economy. A trend is unfolding with a number of successful Italian groups beginning to grow internationally-that really plays into our strengths. And when it comes to succession planning from a family-run operation to being run by professional managers, we can ensure it is a smooth and successful transition." Another strength Heidrick & Struggles brings to its clients in Italy, Bassetti said, is a stricter discipline around its practices. "Each of our consultants is recognized as a true vertical expert with an industry practice," she said. Heidrick and Struggles team in Milan includes: * Laura Barettini, a partner and a member of the firm's global Leadership Consulting and Life Sciences practices. Laura began her career in the pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland and Italy. She then worked in consulting and industrial companies in Italy, before joining a major global search firm. She worked there for 12 years as a Partner member of international practices Life Science & Healthcare, Financial Services, Board Members, and Leadership Excellence. * Niccolò Calabresi is a principal with the firm and a member of the firm's global Industrial and Life Sciences practices, as well as the EMEA Supply Chain practice. He predominantly specializes in supply chain, top management and operations functions and focuses on the transportation, energy and automotive sectors. Bassetti is a co-author of the newly published book Fare Selezione examining how technical expertise and on-the-job experiences can represent a successful blend for recruiting winning talent. As part of Heidrick & Struggles' 60 Years in Leadership program that encourages giving back to local communities, Bassetti is donating her proceeds from the book to Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro. About Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSII) is a premier provider of senior-level Executive Search, Culture Shaping and Leadership Consulting services. For more than 60 years, we have helped our clients build strong leadership teams through quality service, deep insights and our relationships with talented individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles' leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com CONTACT: Media Contact: Lia Randazzo +1.312.496.1788 lrandazzo@heidrick.com This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. via GlobeNewswire [HUG#1789483]