Heidrick & Struggles Completes Take-Private Transaction
December 12, 2025 – Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International / (NASDAQ:HSII) has completed its previously announced transaction to become a privately held company through the acquisition by a consortium of investors led by Advent International, and Corvex Private Equity, with support from a global network of prominent strategic investors including Salem Capital Management, Mousse Partners, TF Cornerstone, HighSage Ventures, and Barcliff Partners.
Valued at approximately $1.3 billion, the transaction creates a foundation for Heidrick & Struggles to execute an ambitious multi-year growth strategy. The move marks one of the most consequential transformations in the firm’s 70-year history, positioning it to further scale and accelerate its ability to develop differentiated, deep and durable global client relationships. “Heidrick & Struggles will continue to operate under its current brand and remains deeply committed to helping organizations build thriving leadership teams,” the firm said in a statement.
In connection with the closing, Heidrick intends to appoint Carmine Di Sibio, operating partner at Advent and former global chair and CEO of EY, as chairman of the board of managers. Other board members will include Heidrick & Struggles CEO Tom Monahan, representatives from Advent, Corvex, the strategic investors, and independent directors who bring deep expertise across leadership, professional services, technology, and global talent markets.
Pivotal Milestone
“This marks a pivotal milestone for Heidrick & Struggles,” said Mr. Monahan. “With the support of Advent International, Corvex Private Equity, a distinguished network of long-term investors, and substantial investment from Heidrick & Struggles partners and leaders, we will be positioned to create even more value for our clients and our colleagues. This new platform will allow us to strengthen our world-class search business and the critical advisory and talent solutions our clients rely on. I’m grateful to our outgoing board for their leadership and for positioning us for long-term success. For our clients and our people, our commitment and day-to-day operations remain unchanged.”
Related: Executive Search 2025: Balancing AI Innovation with a Human Touch
“We are thrilled to formally complete this partnership and are eager to begin supporting this next phase of Heidrick & Struggles’ evolution,” said John DiCola, managing director at Advent International. “We see meaningful opportunity to advance the company’s growth strategy and enhance its position as a global leader in talent and advisory solutions, rooted in the strength of Heidrick & Struggles’ high-caliber people and their unwavering dedication to clients.”
“We are proud to support management and Heidrick & Struggles’ world-class talent in this landmark partnership transaction,” said Joe Costa, managing partner of Corvex Private Equity. “We, alongside Advent and our strategic investment partners, have deep conviction in the company’s significant growth opportunity. We look forward to investing in new technologies and capabilities that amplify the meaningful value Heidrick & Struggles’ exceptional people deliver to clients around the world.”
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In addition to Advent, Corvex, and the strategic investor group, certain Heidrick & Struggles leaders and partners have committed to a substantial co-investment as part of the transaction. Moreover, the new capital structure supports a new, wholly incremental, partner and leader equity plan, aligning ownership and partners in support of the company’s ambitions for client impact and colleague opportunity.
With the completion of the transaction, Heidrick & Struggles’ common stock has ceased trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
“Heidrick & Struggles has a strong brand and reputation for acting as a trusted advisor to high performing organizations as they make their most important leadership and talent decisions,” said Ms. Di Sibio. “As a private company the team will continue to build on that legacy, expand the firm’s capabilities, and deliver for their clients worldwide.”
“Heidrick & Struggles has long been trusted by boards and C-suites because of its history of strong leadership advisory and management services, as well as its ability to attract and engage the best talent,” said Mr. DiCola. “Along with the company’s partners and Corvex, we see significant opportunities to help strengthen the firm’s market position by growing its product offerings and expanding further globally.”
Related: Heidrick & Struggles Reports Strong Q3 Results, Moves Forward with $1.3 Billion Go-Private Deal
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
