LONDON, Dec. 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Senior business leaders, including Stephen Hester, formerly of RBS, Sir David Michels formerly of Hilton Hotels and Jefferson Hack of the Dazed Group, will take time away from their executive responsibilities this week to host a unique two-day, career-building seminar for 60 high-potential university students and recent graduates.

Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq:HSII), the premier professional services firm focused on serving the leadership needs of top organisations globally, is teaming with City Year UK, part of the international youth and education charity founded in Boston, Massachusetts, to provide a course specially designed to help young talent launch their careers.

As part of the global firm's 60th anniversary celebrations, Heidrick & Struggles will host the "Career Builder" course at its London office on December 17th and 18th. The course will deliver a series of skill-based modules such as CV and Cover Letter Writing as well as sessions providing insight about industry sectors ranging from financial services to technology. Faculty for the event will include senior industry executives as well as young professionals who will share their work experiences.

In addition, Heidrick & Struggles executive consultants will continue to provide seminar participants with career mentoring for the next 12 months.

"At a time when unemployment remains especially high for young people, even honours university graduates, we're pleased to help these future business leaders get started," said Richard Thackray, a partner at Heidrick & Struggles. "They clearly appreciate the value of the opportunity to learn career-launching secrets from senior consultants from Heidrick & Struggles—who conduct senior-level searches and advise CEOs on talent strategy—and some of the executives we work with every day."

Courses will be delivered by experienced consultants and executives from a range of business sectors and specialisations.

"We are pleased to help inform and inspire the professional ambitions of these 60 talented and driven young people," Thackray said.

"This collaboration highlights the shared values of our two organisations—and our shared vision for helping develop future talent," said Sophie Livingstone, Chief Executive of City Year UK. "City Year's young volunteers give so much on a day-to-day basis, supporting disadvantaged children to enjoy and succeed at school, we believe that they should have the opportunity to receive something in return. Besides the transferable skills they gain through volunteering, these sorts of opportunities are invaluable to helping them gain a foothold on the career ladder after graduating from City Year. We would like to thank Heidrick & Struggles and its supporters for both teaming up with us on this course and their generous donations."

The sponsors of each participant have been asked to provide a minimum donation of £100 to City Year. This money will go directly to the charity.

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.

About City Year UK:

City Year UK is a leading youth and education charity. Our mission is to galvanize the talent, energy and idealism of young role models to help vulnerable children succeed in school.

We recruit 18-to-25-year-olds to volunteer for an academic year as near-peer role models, mentors and tutors in schools in deprived areas. The commitment of our volunteers, known as corps members, can affect the climate of a whole school, helping to create an environment in which children from disadvantaged backgrounds can excel.

As well as the valuable experience gained serving in schools, City Year's corps members receive one day a week dedicated leadership development, are introduced to their own mentors (professional people from City Year's corporate sponsor companies) and receive skills coaching to enable their future success in the workplace.

Initially launching with a small start up team of seven corps members in 2010 who trialled the programme in London, City Year UK has now graduated more than 250 corps members and has made a difference to the lives of 12,000 children. In September 2013, City Year expanded to its second city in the UK, Birmingham.

City Year was first established in Boston, Massachusetts in 1988 and operates in 25 sites across America, as well as Johannesburg in South Africa.

For more information please visit our website: www.cityyear.org.uk

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CONTACT: H&S Media Contact:
Lia Randazzo - 312.496.1788
lrandazzo@heidrick.com

Gong Communications - On behalf of H&S
Narda Shirley - +44 7770 888 318
narda@gongcommunications.com

City Year Media Contacts:
Alex Lowen - 0207 014 2697
alowen@cityyear.org.uk
Rosie Davey - 07943628908
rdavey@cityyear.org.uk