20 May 2009 15:02
Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. (NYSE: MMC) and Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. (NASDAQ: HSII) - two leading professional services firms - today said they have agreed to partner on a groundbreaking diversity recruitment initiative that will be managed by Heidrick & Struggles and is designed to help attract a broader and more diverse talent pool to MMC.
Marsh & McLennan is one of the world's leading professional services firms providing advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. Heidrick & Struggles is one of the world's leading executive search and leadership advisory services firms.
"MMC is committed to providing our global client base with the innovative solutions and unique perspectives of a diverse workforce, while fostering an inclusive environment that encourages the highest level of confidence among both clients and employees, " said Orlando Ashford, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at MMC. "As we sought to expand the reach and impact of this philosophy, MMC searched for a firm to partner with us - not only to locate and develop diverse talent, but also to open doors in the industry for women- and minority-owned firms. Heidrick & Struggles responded with great excitement, and this agreement - which we hope will be emulated by companies beyond our industry - was born."
Under the agreement, which is embedded in MMC's overall relationship with Heidrick & Struggles, Heidrick will give at least 10% of its work for MMC to women- and minority-owned executive search firms, and will also help these firms identify other opportunities where their services may be of assistance to the company. Heidrick's management of this process will help MMC fulfill a commitment to recruit diverse candidates and cultivate diversity among its vendors.
"Diversity is a business-critical issue, and even more imperative during a period of economic crisis when creative thinking and innovative solutions are called for," said Billy Dexter, Partner at Heidrick & Struggles. "All companies must seek to grow their insight, experience and problem-solving capabilities, and one way to achieve this is through greater inclusion and support of diverse talent."
Heidrick, in addition to providing access to a broad range of candidates, including women, people of color, and members of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) communities to MMC, will also assist with training and other services for some of the women- and minority-owned search firms.
"Our partnership with MMC in this unique initiative reflects Heidrick & Struggles' ongoing dedication to diversity, reinforced by a number of programs and partnerships we have forged in recent years," said Mr. Dexter. "Heidrick's approach to diversity is not only to include more women and people of color, but also to bring in a talent pool that is more varied in terms of international background, functional experience, and age. Diversity should reflect the growing realities of globalization, and should drive organizational performance."
About MMC
MMC is a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. It is the parent company of a number of the world's leading risk experts and specialty consultants, including Marsh, the insurance broker and risk advisor; Guy Carpenter, the risk and reinsurance specialist; Mercer, the provider of HR and related financial advice and services; Oliver Wyman, the management consultancy; and Kroll, the risk consulting firm. With more than 54,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue exceeding $11 billion, MMC provides analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago and London stock exchanges. MMC's website address is www.mmc.com.
About Heidrick & Struggles
Founded in 1953, Heidrick & Struggles (NASDAQ:HSII), is recognized as one of the world's leading executive search firms. With more than 60 offices in the principal cities of 33 countries, it helps its clients to address strategic issues that have human capital solutions in times of growth, turnaround, acquisition, integration, expansion into new markets, and economic flux.
With its executive search, leadership services, and interim management capabilities, Heidrick & Struggles can seamlessly integrate a customized approach to meeting the diverse leadership challenges facing its client organizations. The organization prides itself on its relationships with, and immediate access to, some of the world's most talented people.
| Heidrick & Struggles: |
| Davia Temin or Suzanne Oaks |
| Temin and Company |
| 212-588-8788 |
| news@teminandco.com |
| MMC: |
| Laura Cora, 212-345-2731 |
| laura.cora@mmc.com |
Copyright Business Wire 2009