Diversified Search Ray & Berndtson in New York is seeing demand for retained search services, despite warnings from other executive search firms in the US.

In response to a CNN article last week, Mike Wellman, managing director of the Ray & Berndtson in New York, told Recruiter:

“Although everyone in the US retained search profession is affected to some degree — financial services specialists the most, healthcare services specialists the least — new search business is being let and conducted in this stormy US economy.”

David N Schwartz, head of executive search firm DN Schwartz & Co in New York, had told news network CNN: “There are very, very few retained searches out there at all.”

Speaking to CNN about the US situation, Schwartz also maintained that “in order to stay in business, headhunting firms are going to have to be creative, and that means focusing less on hiring and more on other services like coaching and career development”.

However, Wellman refutes this assertion and maintains companies still need the best top talent.

“This is a time when certain companies want to upgrade, to strengthen their team, or to bring aboard the skills and experiences they need to not only survive, but to gain competitive advantage, during this difficult economy.”

In the UK, Victoria Provis, partner and head of corporate communications practice at Odgers Ray & Berndtson, told Recruiter there certainly hasn’t been any significant change so far this side of the pond.

“Odgers has had a strong start to the year, with significant mandates. In these times, strong, efficient and experienced leadership is even more important for organisations.”