The financial services sector will dominate 2007’s global executive search activity, according to a survey of eExecutive search consultants from across the globe.

The poll, from the annual Association of Executive Search Consultants Outlook Survey, predicts that executive search in 2007 will be strong in professional services, pharma/biotech, IT, retail and manufacturing industries. Sectors expected to weaken or flatten are non-profit and government.

AESC President, Peter Felix says: “Financial services continues to be the strongest and most lucrative sector in retained executive search, which serves as a barometer for the economy in general. The optimism of AESC member search consultants in predicting results for next year is not surprising when investment banks such as Goldman Sachs are posting record breaking profits and awarding huge bonuses to top performers.”

Nearly 80% of respondents indicated that competition for executive talent is at an all time high, with 93% stating they expect to experience a war for talent in the next five years.