Firm will help lead greater inclusion of women on corporate boards across the region

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dubai office of Heidrick & Struggles (NASDAQ: HSII), a premier professional services firm serving the leadership needs of top organizations around the globe, has become a steering committee member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)  in support of the 30% Club, a global business-led initiative committed to achieving better gender representation at the Board level.

The 30% Club was launched in the U.K. in 2010 with the goal of achieving 30% female representation on FTSE 100 boards by the end of 2015.

The 30% Club GCC chapter is a voluntary initiative by business leaders across the Gulf region to support gender balance on boards as a means of encouraging better leadership and governance. The GCC Chapter is led by a steering committee of prominent leaders from some of the most successful businesses, non-profit institutions and advisory firms in the region.  

Heidrick & Struggles' Dubai office is committed to playing an important role in guiding boards and senior management to make more effective and inclusive leadership hiring decisions.

Victoria Stead, a Partner in Heidrick & Struggles' Consumer Markets Practice in Dubai, chairs the Search Firm's working group.  A key objective will be to encourage broad support and advocacy from the executive search community throughout the GCC to identify and engage with female and ethnically diverse candidates, and to help client organizations increase diversity on boards and in senior level executive positions.

"Heidrick & Struggles and other search companies have a crucial role to play in terms of promoting workplace inclusion and diversity. This is particularly true in regions such as the GCC, where women are often under-represented in leadership positions and on boards," said Michael Morcos, Managing Partner of Heidrick & Struggles' Middle East and North Africa and Partner in the CEO & Board of Directors Practice.

About Heidrick & Struggles
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSII) serves the executive talent and leadership needs of the world's top organizations as a premier provider of leadership consulting, culture shaping and senior-level executive search services. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 60 years ago. Today, the firm serves as a trusted advisor, providing integrated leadership solutions and helping its clients change the world, one leadership team at a time. www.heidrick.com