Insights
Contact Information
JFP Executive Search
Aleksanterinkatu 15 A 7th flr
FI-00100 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358 10 617 7900
Fax: +358 10 617 7999
eMail: jfp@jfp.fi
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The fight for talent heats up
 Since last August, Martin Vine has been head of the international chain of executive search agencies, IIC Partners. Vine is known for his management expertise in challenging international tasks. Brigadier General Vine has served as a defence advisor to the British High Commission in Pakistan, where he fulfilled such roles as the coordination of the UK’s support for earthquake victims. He has also commanded a multinational task force of 2,000 soldiers in Bosnia. In addition, he has served in Iraq, and acted as assistant military attaché to the British Embassy in Washington.
IIC Partners is one of the world’s largest executive search organisations. What are the strengths of the network?
– At the moment, I reckon we are the eighth largest executive search organisation in the world. We are not aiming to be the biggest, but it is nonetheless interesting that we are actually the world’s largest network of independent executive search agencies.
– Our great strength is that our local members are in-depth experts on their own markets and understand the business of their clients. But member companies are not only strong locally. Through the network, they can also operate in the global labour market.
– This all culminates in a situation where the clients get a top-quality selection of suitable candidates. They have the chance to recruit talent and skills, which are not available locally.
IIC Partners was established in Europe in the mid-1980s. Now it is in the top ten largest executive search organisations worldwide. What is the secret of its success?
– It is an interesting story. IIC was founded in Northern Europe when the executive search agencies there decided they could work more efficiently in co-operation with each other. This idea was ahead of its time. Thanks to the internet and globalisation, the operations of the network grew rapidly. This was not just by chance but rather the culmination of some favourable events.
– IIC’s secret is the words behind its acronym. International: the focus is not only on Helsinki or the Nordic countries. It is global. Independent: all our members are different and have their own strong identities. Each one thinks of the best for its own clients. Consultants: our members are all experts in their own markets, and have cooperated with their clients for years.
– Global operation and local knowledge. That is IIC’s recipe for success.
The global economy is showing signs of stagnating. What impact will that have on the international recruitment market?
– The economy is really going through some turbulence. According to OECD forecasts, economic slow-down will continue in 2009, but such a development is not the case everywhere. The emerging economies – China, India and Russia – will grow at a rate of 8–10%.
– From a recruitment market perspective, these are challenging times. Because of the aging of the population and retirement, there will be fewer senior-level managers available. The fight for talent is a characteristic trend throughout the industry, and the significance of planning for continuity will grow within companies. But irrespective of the market situation, there will always be a demand for top-level managers.
JFP Executive Search of Finland is a member of IIC Partners. What are the benefits of membership for JFP and its clients?
– JFP has profound local knowledge. Over the years, the company has accumulated a considerable amount of experience and expertise. IIC has a total of 58 offices in over 40 countries. Through this network, JFP gains access to an international pool of talent, and the clients get to employ the most able professionals.
– The number of transnational assignments in the IIC network has increased by one-third. Companies are searching for able people from an increasingly wide area, and candidates are increasingly prepared to move in order to do the job they want. |
