CHICAGO, Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII), a premier provider of senior-level executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping worldwide, has appointed Elizabeth L. Axelrod, Clare M. Chapman and T. Willem Mesdag to its Board of Directors as independent directors, effective immediately.

"We are pleased to welcome Beth, Clare and Will to our Board of Directors," said Richard Beattie, Chairman of the Board.  "Each of these individuals brings unique strengths to our Board. Beth has a well-deserved reputation as a thought leader in talent management, core to our business at Heidrick & Struggles, and brings a digital mindset informed by her former senior role at a leading internet-based retailer. Clare adds international perspective and experience from a series of high-profile human resources leadership roles. Will brings an investor's point of view, along with a wide breadth of experience from his service on a variety of boards."

Including Lyle Logan, whose appointment to Heidrick & Struggles' Board was announced December 15, the firm has added four independent directors in just over two months.

"Heidrick & Struggles' senior management will benefit from the additional insight and diversity of thought these four directors bring to our Board at a key inflection point for our firm. Adding to our Board's diversity is consistent with the counsel we provide our clients," said Tracy R. Wolstencroft, President and CEO. "As we capitalize on our positive momentum in the market, we will further enhance our capabilities to help clients accelerate performance by finding transformative leaders, building high-performing teams and developing thriving cultures."

• Axelrod, 53, served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for eBay Inc. for more than ten years. Previously, she was the Chief Talent Officer and an Executive Director for WPP plc, a global communications services group. Axelrod was formerly a partner at management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. She is a co-author of The War for Talent, published by Harvard Business School Press in 2001, and is frequently invited to speak on talent and organizational performance. Axelrod also serves as a member of the Advisory Board at Bulger Partners, LLC.  She holds a B.S.E. with a concentration in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Master's in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management.
• Chapman, 55, is the former Group People Director of BT Group, one of the world's leading communications services companies based in the UK and serving customers in 170 countries worldwide. Prior to this role, Chapman was the Director General of Workforce for the National Health Service and Social Care system where her responsibilities affected more than 2.2 million healthcare employees in England. Previously, she was Human Resources Director for Tesco PLC and Vice President of Human Resources for PepsiCo's operations in continental Europe. Chapman serves on the Board of Kingfisher PLC. She is regularly sought to speak and advise on corporate and national efforts to improve organization effectiveness and leadership capacity and has played a leading role in demonstrating the link between customer service and employee engagement. She holds a B.A. In Social Sciences (Economics and Sociology) from the University of Leicester and has an M.A in Management Learning from Lancaster.
• Mesdag, 62, is the Founder and Managing Partner of Red Mountain Capital Partners, an investment management firm based in Los Angeles. Prior to founding Red Mountain, he was a Partner and Managing Director at Goldman Sachs & Co. Previously, he was a securities lawyer with Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll. Mesdag also serves on the Board of Directors of Destination XL Group and Encore Capital Group, and previously served on the Board of Directors of 3i Group, Cost Plus, Nature's Sunshine Products and Skandia Group. Mesdag also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Board of Directors of the Pacific Council on International Policy, and is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He received his J.D. from Cornell Law School and his B.A. from Northwestern University.

About Heidrick & Struggles:

Heidrick & Struggles (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 to help its clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.  www.heidrick.com

H&S Media Contact:
Jon Harmon +1 312.496.1593
jharmon@heidrick.com

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SOURCE Heidrick & Struggles