62% Increase In Demand For European Executive Positions
According to
Leadership Capital Group (an executive search firm with offices in London, Paris and Westport, Connecticut), the demand for executive positions in Europe has increased 62%. The change in demand compares August-December 2009 search requests for senior level executives, with January-May 2010. The results depict that 77% of European executive level position requests in 2010 are for battle-hardened turn-around executives with deep expertise in recessionary times. This compares with just 48% in 2009.
According to Marc Lewis, CEO of Leadership Capital Group, "Right now we are seeing a 'controlled panic' amongst hiring executives. But, we have indications of financial uncertainty and risk of spreading to other Southern European economies like the much larger Spanish market. Right now, there is a sharp increase in CEOs and Managing Directors re-assessing whether their CFOs have the necessary financial forecasting skills needed in unpredictable financial markets. Top-tier financial executives are in increasingly high demand."
Lilian Poilpot, Managing Director-EMEA of Leadership Capital Group, added: "There is a feeling with European operating companies that a domino effect might occur with other economies. Many companies are quickly implementing change to mitigate risk if there is further economic strife."
Lewis stated: "At issue is not the demand side of the equation, but rather the supply side. We estimate that for every 10 openings for a senior level position requiring an executive with deep financial acumen, there are probably three qualified candidates."