IRC Global Expands Footprint in Africa
May 28, 2015 – Lagos, Nigeria-based Leading Edge Consulting has joined IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) as its newest partner firm. “We’re pleased that we can offer our clients first class executive search services in one of the most important economies on the African continent,” said Patrick Westerburger, president of the board of IRC Global. “Besides giving us a stronger footprint in Africa the Nigerian office is bringing deep sector expertise in a range of industries, including financial services, industrial, professional services, FMCG and energy.”
Nigeria, often called the ‘Giant of Africa,’ is the largest economy on the African continent with a population of nearly 175 million. It is the seventh most populous country in the world inhabited by some 500 ethnic groups. The country’s oil reserves have played a major role in its growing wealth and influence and it is now considered to be an emerging market by the World Bank. Search firms, generally, have been slow to embrace Africa, though Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder and Heidrick & Struggles all maintain South African offices, according to data from market research firm Hunt Scanlon.
“Considering continued growth and diversification in areas such as oil production and agriculture, there is a vast potential for cross border talent search. Our firm also recognizes increasing cross border activities particularly across West Africa, East Africa and other parts of the world where Nigerian companies increasingly have footprints,” said Dr. Ije Jidenma, managing director and CEO of Leading Edge Consulting.
With a PhD in psychology with a specialization in psychometrics and more than 30 years of functional experience in HR and management at companies including PwC and Merchant Bank of Africa, Dr. Jidenma has been leading her firm since 2000.
With two offices in Lagos, IRC Nigeria will serve clients in private and public sectors across all industries as well as international NGOs and multilateral organizations.
IRC Global Executive Search Partners is a professional alliance of executive search firms with more than 300 recruiting professionals in 79 offices across six continents.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief, Hunt Scanlon Media
