The company specialises in selection of CEOs, board of directors and senior level managers. Founded in 1953, it was adjudged the best performing search firm in 1998 by the International Association of Corporate and Professional Recruitment (IACPR).

Thomas J. Friel, managing partner, H&S Asia-Pacific, who was in the Capital to flag off the Delhi operations, said that in the case of India, all the prerequisites for an entry strategy into any new market were fulfilled: readiness of the market, readiness of the company to make long-term investments and commitment--and of course having the right team in place.

H&S studied the Indian market carefully for three years prior to entry. It has also assisted in the selection of top level staff for the Indian arms of several global clients like Apple, BritishTelecom and British Gas.

Prominent selections include StanChart CEO Rana Talwar and Seagram COO (Asia-Pacific) Ramesh Wangal.

Despite the present recession in the job market, Friel feels this is the right time to enter the country. ``Ours is a recession-proof business. Economic cycles don't affect our business as we operate only at the top level and dramatic restructuring takes place at the top during such periods, when more efficient leaders are needed.''

H&S has established seven-member team in the Delhi office, led by Atul Vohra and Uday Chawla. This will be followed by offices in Mumbai and Bangalore. While its global operations pulled in revenues of $ US 350 million in 1998, in its first year in India, H&S hopes to get about 25-30 assignments and garner revenue worth $ 1 million.

However, revenues alone are not the criteria, Friel is quick to add. ``In the first year we will concentrate on building our reputation. We will be very selective about our clients, only taking on those appropriate toour standards.'' The company claims to be currently working on five assignments in India, of whom four are global clients and one is an Indian company.

``For those who see us as a cost solution, we are expensive; but for those who see us as a value solution, we are inexpensive,'' says Friel. In India, H&S will focus on four core sectors: information technology, finance, industry and consumer goods. Of the five current assignments in India, three are IT companies.

Known for its `Search through research' methodology, H&S follows a process that involves: briefing, position specification, candidate identification, candidate evaluation, candidate presentation, reference checking, follow-up.

Says Atul Vohra, partner in the Indian office, ``We deliver a global standard of excellence. Our `one firm' approach based on teamwork crossing borders, is the foundation of our quality commitment.''

Having possibly the largest research team and an advanced computer network, the company continually updates databases toprovide exhaustive research to its clients.

In India the only other two global search companies operating are Korn Ferry and Ega Zander. While the former covers all levels of management, Ega Zander is closer to H&S as far as target clients go.