Heidrick replaces Channing with Jeffreys

Sonamara Jeffreys will become head of financial services in the UK, while Sabine Wehle, who is based in Frankfurt, will be head of financial services in the rest of Europe.

Jeffreys replaces Rupert Channing, who will head Heidrick's UK healthcare practice.

Jeffreys joined Heidrick in 2000 from the rival search firm Armstrong International. Channing joined the same year from TMP Worldwide.

Wehle and Jeffreys will report to Mike Franzino, global head of Heidrick's financial services practice.

Heidrick's third quarter results, announced in October, showed its revenues in Europe in all sectors were down 17% from same period last year. The firm said it planned to close offices and reduce staff numbers to cut costs.