Sheffield Haworth Acquires NBI Consulting
September 20, 2017 – London-based executive recruitment firm Sheffield Haworth has acquired nbi Consulting, a specialist global executive search and talent management firm in the business and professional services sector.
“Our businesses share a common capability and passion to solve clients’ talent needs in the areas of executive search, interim consulting and talent advisory,” said Tim Sheffield, executive chairman of Sheffield Haworth. “The opportunity to bring both of the businesses together allows us to realise our growth ambitions in the financial services, business and professional services and technology sectors.”
John Gardner, chairman of nbi Consulting, which is also based in London, said the move would strengthen both operations. “This acquisition will have a positive impact on both entities and most importantly for our clients,” he said. “This will strengthen our ability to focus and serve existing clients and will enhance our capability to expand and service new clients in new geographies.”
As part of the acquisition, nbi will become part of Sheffield Haworth’s global business and professional services practice.
A Strong Union
Ben Richardson, managing director, business and professional services for Sheffield Haworth, said the pairing was a good fit on multiple levels. “Our businesses are complementary given the focus on separate industries but with a strong overlap in terms of themes whether that be digital, analytics, technology, information security, regulatory compliance along with strategic transformation and change,” he said. “The integration further strengthens the group’s geographic coverage by adding Singapore, Australia and Manila to global locations which already include the U.S., U.K., Dubai, India and Hong Kong.”
Acquisitions Continue to Make Headlines In Recruiting Industry
The wave of M&A activity among executive search firms continues. The latest deal: Solon, OH-headquartered Torch Group has acquired Selker Leadership, a search firm that places candidates in the technology and software fields.
The acquisition, which had long been in the works, also serves the strategic goals of each operation. “There was an awareness of one another’s businesses which mapped on well to both organizations’ ambitions for growth and relentless focus on addressing clients talent needs,” said Mr. Richardson, who was formerly director of nbi Consulting. “Sheffield Haworth had a strategic ambition to diversify its sector coverage and nbi’s desire to extend its global coverage. The firms had a strategic relationship for approximately four years before completing the transaction to integrate nbi wholly into the Sheffield Haworth group.”
Efforts are underway to ensure that the changeover proceeds as seamlessly as possible. “We have put together an integration team to ensure a smooth transition for both clients and employees,” said Mr. Richardson. “We will soon be operating under the Sheffield Haworth brand and operating seamlessly under our global business and professional services practice.”
Greater Reach
For their customers, Mr. Richardson said, the move is good news. “Clients will benefit by the additional depth in the sector and topic expertise the team bring together along with the extended global reach of the group,” he said. “The group will continue to extend its service capabilities in executive search, research & insight, interim management and talent advisory.”
Prosperity Found Among Recruiting Boutiques That Merge
One look at this year’s recruiting industry statistics reveals one clear trend line: double digit growth and expansion is taking place among the sector’s boutique specialists. Many of the firms have taken the more bold and audacious M&A route to achieve this.
Sheffield Haworth, which was founded in 1993, is a global executive search, talent advisory and interim consulting firm. The firm partners with clients all over the world to provide tailored solutions for their business and talent needs at the senior management level. Sheffield Haworth has 10 offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific. It serves clients in the financial services, business and professional services and technology industries.
Function areas for nbi Consulting include digital, cloud and technology; data, analytics & automation; cyber security; strategy & transformation; human capital; and commercial & general management. Besides its London headquarters, nbi has locations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Manila.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
