New executive searches rose 7 percent worldwide over the fourth quarter of 2010, according to a report released yesterday by the Association of Executive Search Consultants. This growth continues the growth in 2010, when the retained executive search industry rose 29 percent over the lows of 2009, the association reported.

North America continued its already steady return from the low point of 2009, following a predicted pattern of early recessional recovery ahead of Europe.

“Our first quarter industry statistics demonstrate that demand for executive talent is being sustained at the recovery levels of 2010 and that a solid foundation is being created for further growth in 2011, in spite of the sporadic economic and political instability of the past few months,” said Peter Felix, president of the AESC.

Senior executive hiring within the consumer goods and technology industries saw the greatest quarter-on-quarter strength, with the life sciences/healthcare and industrial sectors following closely behind. Search activity fell in the financial services sector from the fourth quarter and from last year, its first drop since the fourth quarter of 2009.