Heidrick & Struggles recruits Perth team

Executive search and consulting firm Heidrick & Struggles has taken advantage of the collapse of global competitor CTPartners by recruiting three senior executives in Perth to establish a new local office.

The new office will be led by partner-in-charge Debbie Cozart, along with Colin Simpson and Beau Yorke, all of whom joined CTPartners in June last year when the company acquired local business Park Brown, but left in June this year when the US parent company went into liquidation.

Ms Cozart, who had previously worked for Heidrick & Struggles as a principal in the Melbourne office from 1998 to 2001, will become partner-in-charge of the Perth office, while Mr Simpson will be a partner and Mr Yorke a principal.

The Perth office will focus on the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors, and is likely to focus on servicing global clients.

Executive search firms servicing the top end of the Perth market include Gerard Daniels and Derwent Executive, and boutique practices such as Lester Blades, Taylor Executive Recruitment and FourQuarters Recruitment, along with international firms such as Robert Walters and Michael Page.

“With the addition of the Perth team, we are beginning a new chapter in our firm’s global growth story,” Heidrick & Struggles global executive vice-president Krishnan Rajagopalan said.

“We plan to continue to bring talented consultants into our firm around the world, adding to our capabilities where we see opportunity.”

Regional leader of Heidrick & Struggles, Asia Pacific, Steve Mullinjer said the consultants in Perth would help drive the success and growth of industrial clients in Australia and throughout the region.

Heidrick & Struggles has an office in Sydney and Melbourne.

Ms Cozart and Mr Simpson were co-owners of Park Brown, while Mr Yorke was a partner, prior to the CTPartners acquisition.

CTPartners filed for bankruptcy in June, after it was rocked by allegations of sexual discrimination.