Increased activity within the senior executive recruitment industry shows the beginning of recovery in the technology, financial and consumer goods sector.

The latest second quarter data from the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) reveals a 1% rise over the first quarter of 2009, attributable to increased searches in technology, financial services, consumer and non-profit.

Senior executive searches in the technology and financial sectors, which both saw quarterly declines in Q1 2009, rose 4% in Q2. Similarly, the consumer goods sector witnessed its first green shoot with a 1% increase from Q1 levels.

Peter Felix, AESC president, says: “Q2 figures confirm that the first six months of this year have been a serious setback for the search industry but that we’re seeing a levelling off in declines and even a slight increase in the number of searches started.

“This quarterly stabilisation indicates that organisations are beginning to pull back from the hiring freeze that shaped the early part of this recession as senior management gear up for economic recovery.”