2012 AESC Member Outlook Report

Worldwide Demand for Senior Executives Still Expected in 2012
Strong in the US but weaker in Europe and Asia

The 2012 Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) Member Outlook Survey of December 2011 totaled 217 responses from AESC executive search consultants worldwide, including 49% from EMEA, 38% from the Americas and 13% from Asia Pacific. The report revealed that demand for senior executives is still expected in the major markets of the world, but with less optimism than at the beginning of 2011.

Forty-three percent predict that search activity will increase in 2012 over 2011, with the greatest sector rise expected in Energy/Natural Resources, followed by Health Care/Life sciences and then Manufacturing.

When asked about their general outlook for 2012, global results showed that 37% held a positive view while 49% were neutral – though with more optimism in the US when singling out regional data.

Peter Felix, AESC President, commented: “It is no surprise that the outlook for this year in terms of demand for senior executives should be less optimistic than at the same time last year, given the economic turbulence of the past six months and the continued pessimism surrounding growth rates in China and the EU. Nevertheless it is most encouraging to see strong demand expected in the United States and in sectors such as Energy, Health Care and Manufacturing, which have remained positive throughout the past several years.”

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