Heidrick hires equities search specialist from Armstrong
Smith, who will join Heidrick after three months of gardening leave, will swell the ranks of global hires by Heidrick from Armstrong International to six consultants and researchers over the last year.
Heidrick has been planning to strengthen its financial services practice since a recent spate of departures. Elizabeth Hammond, who had particular expertise in equities, left a few weeks ago to co-found the boutique search firm HammondBlack.
In a recent interview with Financial News, Martin Armstrong of Armstrong International joked that Heidrick should buy his firm and put him in charge of running Heidrick's financial services business.
Rupert Channing, managing partner of financial services in London for Heidrick, pointed out that it has already acquired a number of its staff from Armstrong. But, he added: "(Martin) is a great headhunter with a real knack for hiring and training people." Armstrong could not be reached for comment.
Channing said Heidrick had no further plans at the moment to hire in financial services in London. The firm has 51 partners and principals in this sector spread across Europe.
