In a bold shake-up for the executive search industry, Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. announced Monday that it will be taken private in a $1.3 billion all-cash buyout, orchestrated by a powerhouse consortium of private equity players and family offices.
The acquisition, led by Advent International and Corvex Private Equity, marks one of the most significant leadership consulting transactions in recent memory — a deal designed to reshape how elite executive search firms compete in the post-digital corporate landscape.
A Premium Deal and a Strategic Pivot
Under the agreement, the buyer group will purchase all outstanding shares at $59 each, representing a 26% premium over Heidrick’s 90-day volume-weighted average share price. Investors quickly reacted — shares soared roughly 20% by Monday afternoon.
The transaction, unanimously approved by Heidrick’s board, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. Once finalized, Heidrick will delist from public trading but continue operations under its Chicago headquarters and existing brand.
