Privately-held Switzerland-based executive search firm Egon Zehnder today reported global revenue of CHF 738 million (€648.5 million) for the full year 2018, an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2017.

Egon Zehnder’s 2018 financial performance reflects consistent increases across all its major geographies including the United States, Germany, Great Britain, other Western European markets, China and India.

Revenue grew across Executive Search, Board Advisory Services, CEO Succession and Leadership Advisory Services, including Leadership Development. The consultant base grew to more than 460 worldwide at the close of the 2018 fiscal, while the firm maintained its global footprint of 68 offices across 40 countries.

The Firm’s Board Advisory Services accelerated in 2018, with Board consulting, Director appointments and Board effectiveness engagements contributing to the increase.

“Board governance today is more scrutinized than ever – and the efficacy of the Board continues to be a pressure point for organisations globally,” Jill Ader, Chairwoman, Egon Zehnder, said. “Leadership requirements are changing dramatically, so evolving the Board’s mindset to a new gold standard for CEO and executive leadership is central to their ability to transform their organisations.”

In addition to CEO and Executive Search and Board Advisory Services, the Firm’s service portfolio encompasses leadership advisory consisting of Executive Assessment, Leadership Development, Team Effectiveness, and Cultural and Organizational Transformation.

In 2018, Ader won a chair election to become the first female chair of the firm.

In November 2018, the group appointed Edilson Camara as CEO after previous CEO Rajeev Vasudeva stepped down in July 2018.

“While Executive Search will always be an important part of the work we do, we are increasingly being asked to provide broader leadership advisory services to support our clients,” Camara said. “Technology’s impact across the organisational ecosystem cannot be over-stated. Yet while technology and digitization change how we work, what’s needed more than ever is humanity, authenticity and empathy in our leaders. Success has never been more complex to achieve.”

The company has 460 Consultants in 68 offices and 40 countries globally. It ranked fifth on SIA’s List of Largest Retained Search Firms in the US.