Spencer Stuart to Expand its Portfolio of Leadership Advisory Services by Acquiring Several Talent‑Related Businesses from Aon

Spencer Stuart, an executive search and leadership advisory firm, announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire portions of the talent business of Aon—those focused on Culture & Engagement, Leadership Assessment & Development, Succession Planning and HR Effectiveness. This part of the business has a long history as an acknowledged leader in engagement and related advisory services.

Ben Williams, the chief executive officer of Spencer Stuart, noted: “Leaders everywhere are striving to increase their organizations’ performance and agility, often by pulling the essential levers of strategy, finance, technology and more. We believe the single greatest lever is people, mobilized through leadership, culture and engagement.”

He continued: “An engaged workforce is a competitive advantage that drives higher productivity, innovation and retention. Engagement is also an essential measure of effective leadership, and brings valuable, relevant data to the critical leadership decisions businesses need to make. Adding these capabilities from Aon will enable us to work with Boards and C-Suite leaders more closely on a matter of increasing importance to them.”

These offerings will complement Spencer Stuart’s already significant portfolio of Leadership Advisory Services—Executive Assessment & Development, CEO Succession, Team Effectiveness, Culture Shaping, Board Effectiveness and the people side of Merger Integration.

Patrick Hynes, who leads Spencer Stuart’s Leadership Advisory Services, said: “We are pleased to add these capabilities in engagement, leadership development and related advisory services to our noted expertise in leadership and organizational culture. More and more leaders now understand that to win on the outside, you first have to win on the inside."

He added: “These capabilities in using online experiences to go more deeply within organizations, and added expertise in HR effectiveness, will also expand our collective ability to help address the important leadership and talent needs of top teams.”

This collective set of capabilities will be well positioned to harness the power of technology and data analytics as leaders pursue their talent agendas.

The transaction is expected to close in several months, subject to customary closing conditions. It is anticipated that this business will operate as a distinct new entity within the Spencer Stuart family. It involves about 550 employees in 26 countries globally.