Edward W Kelley & Partners Emerges as a Global Force in Executive Search; Firm Comprises Former A.T. Kearney Executive Search And Other Top Senior Talent, New Offices Around the Globe

Business Wire, July 17, 2006

LONDON -- Edward W Kelley & Partners Limited has emerged in the last six months as a new global force in the executive search industry. The firm encompasses the former A.T. Kearney Executive Search unit, which now is operating under the name of Edward W Kelley & Partners. The new business is augmented by new senior talent and the opening of six new offices in Boston (United States), Calgary (Canada), Sydney and Melbourne (Australia), Moscow (Russia) and Vienna (Austria). The firm expects to double its size in the next twelve months.

Ed Kelley, an internationally recognized executive search and management consulting professional, led a group of investors and internal officers of A.T. Kearney Executive Search in a management buyout of the firm in January 2006. "We are reshaping the search industry with a model that is unlike that of any other wholly owned, global executive search firm," said Kelley, chief executive officer. "We have an aggressive growth strategy, but our goal is always to be the best rather than the biggest. We are redefining best practices in the industry with our collaborative, personalized approach to service, our commitment to long-term client relationships, and our focus on clearly defined markets and sectors."

These factors, combined with the firm's global presence, make Edward W Kelley & Partners a unique brand in the marketplace. "Ed Kelley is a highly respected and internationally renowned industry executive who has lived and worked all over the globe," noted Georg Unger, a member of the firm's executive committee and head of its Eastern European operations.

"His distinguished career is representative of our ideals, and putting his name on the door reflects his personal commitment to integrity, excellence and accountability. These are values we share throughout the company and with our clients."

Kelley added: "Everything about our firm ensures that our clients receive the right solutions. Our focus on deep client relationships allows us the freedom, access and resources to provide them with the best talent solutions available in the marketplace."

The firm's new Boston office, led by Mark Smith, will serve such growing regional industries as life sciences & healthcare, professional services, private equity, financial services, technology, and higher education. Prior to joining Edward W Kelley & Partners, Smith was a partner in the Wellesley, Mass., office of Battalia Winston International, and also once served as managing director of Korn/Ferry's Boston office. Smith has more than 18 years of executive search experience, managing senior-level recruiting engagements in a range of industries. Previously in his career, Smith was a strategy consultant at Mercer Management Consulting and a banking officer in Boston and New York.

Edward W Kelley & Partners' new office in Calgary, led by John McKay, will play a critical role in building the firm's global energy practice. McKay is a 30-plus-year veteran of the energy services and executive search industries. His successful search career has included a position as co-leader of the global energy practice for Korn/Ferry International, serving in both Calgary and Houston. Prior to this, McKay was a partner in a Calgary-based boutique that was later acquired by Korn/Ferry. Throughout his career, McKay has been instrumental in the dramatic growth of the practices in which he has served.

Heading up the Sydney office, Dan Dumitrescu has more than 12 years of senior-level search industry experience in the Asia Pacific region. With an emphasis on advanced technology, he formerly served as joint managing partner of Highland Partners Asia Pacific. Dumitrescu has completed numerous cross-border searches for major multinationals and has created innovative search tools such as strategic account management programs and unique approaches to integrated client services. These tools encompass such areas as global account management, Web-enabled candidate management and board services.

Mark Lelliott will lead the firm's new Melbourne office. Formerly joint managing partner, Highland Partners Asia Pacific, Lelliott has more than 14 years of executive search experience specializing in the technology, consumer, retail and industrial sectors. Lelliott has completed numerous corporate assignments including board appointments and other senior management roles for a variety of companies. During recent years, he has developed an innovative approach to search management and executive assessment that provides valuable feedback to clients and produces measurable, objective candidate assessments in the context of the client's business. Lelliott's earlier career encompassed 20 years in accounting, sales, marketing and general management.

The two new Australian partners and their colleagues figure prominently in the expansion of Edward W Kelley & Partners in key markets in the Asia Pacific region, including Japan and the emerging markets of China, India and Southeast Asia. The Sydney and Melbourne staff will focus on building existing relationships and new business in these important markets, serving a growing demand among clients for service in these areas.