CHICAGO, March 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSII), the premier professional services firm focused on serving the leadership needs of top organizations globally, today announced the arrival of four new partners in the global Industrial Practice. Andrew Dudgeon and John Weigold join the Aerospace, Defense & Aviation team and are based in the New York office. John Howard, based in Toronto and Damian Walsh, based in London, join the Metals & Mining team.

"All four of these individuals bring a strategic skillset that will help our clients anticipate their talent needs from a key hire all the way to designing a comprehensive leadership plan," said Daren Kemp, Global Managing Partner of the Industrial Practice. "Together, they will be valuable resources to existing and new clients in North America and around the world who are continuously faced with the challenge of finding and keeping top-quality leaders to run their organizations."

A seasoned Executive Search consultant with extensive metals and mining industry experience, Howard joins Heidrick & Struggles from another global executive search firm, where he spent 13 years, including three as head of the firm's Global Industrial Practice. Prior to executive search, Howard had a 20-year career in the metals and engineered equipment industries.

Walsh joins the London office from a global management consultancy where he supported many of the world's largest mining and metals companies in large-scale strategy execution. Prior to that, Walsh served as a senior vice president at a management consulting firm responsible for global account strategy in the mining and metals sectors.  Earlier he was a partner in one of the world's largest professional services firms based first in Sydney and later in New York.  He also currently serves as a non-executive director of a major infrastructure company in the UK.

"John (Howard) possesses a valuable 'insider's' view both in knowing the key industry players as well as the global metals business. Damian has an exceptional history of partnering with clients long term – improving their business performance by marshaling the right leaders to solve critical organizational issues," added Mark Livingston, Global Managing Partner, Natural Resources.

Dudgeon joins from VAS Aero Services, a PE-backed aftermarket provider to the aviation industry, where he was President and CEO.  Earlier, he served as CEO of Rolls-Royce Australasia and General Manager Market Development Qantas Airways. Dudgeon began his career as an Army Aviator, rising to the rank of Brigadier General.  

Weigold returns to the firm citing that it's one of the world's greatest brands within the executive search industry, and has a collegial culture not found in any other firm. He brings a unique combination of executive search and military experience, having previously spent six years at Heidrick & Struggles as a Principal from 1996 to 2002. He continued to advance his executive search career before returning to active military duty in 2006, where he most recently served as Rear Admiral, Deputy Commander for the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Asia.

"Andrew and John (Weigold) bring exceptional and deployable industry knowledge to our clients. They are leaders in their own right, and understand the key issues which confront our clients in the North American transportation and logistics segment," said Jon Boyle, Global Managing Partner, Transportation & Logistics Practice.

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSII) is the premier provider of senior-level Executive Search, Culture Shaping and Leadership Consulting services. For 60 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles' leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Nelson
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