Caldwell Partners Announces Formal Alliance with Executive Search Group International

-Strategic Hong Kong-based alliance further strengthens firm's global capabilities-

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Retained executive search firm Caldwell Partners (TSX: CWL) today announced an exclusive alliance with Executive Search Group International (ESGI), with both firms partnering to better serve their clients across functions and geographies.

Based in Hong Kong, ESGI is a retained executive search firm specializing in senior level appointments in Asia and the Middle East for a select group of multi-national clients. Founded in 1998, ESGI serves a range of diverse industry sectors, with particular expertise in financial services, technology and real estate. The firm has offices in Hong Kong, New York City and Dubai, and was recognized in 2005 as one of Asia's top specialist search firms by Asia Money.

With this alliance, ESGI and Caldwell Partners have a team of 36 partners covering the spectrum of financial services; technology, media and telecommunications; life sciences and healthcare; consumer products and services; industrial products and services; venture capital and private equity; and the not-for-profit and higher education industries.

"ESGI is a boutique, non-franchised private practice dedicated to providing the highest quality of professional service and I am delighted to be aligning my team with a firm of Caldwell Partners' calibre which operates within the same core values," said Christine Houston, Managing Director of Executive Search Group International.

"In today's business climate, competition is intense and there is an ever greater need to deliver differentiated value to clients. The goal of this alliance is to enable both ESGI and Caldwell Partners to provide a more holistic service, across a far wider geography, with a much greater industry and assignment scope."

"Christine's first-class experience and deep market knowledge make her a natural complement to our team," said Paul Heller, leader of Caldwell Partners' Financial Services Practice. "Her firm's financial services capabilities in particular are impressive, as is the high regard in which she is held in her market."

"This alliance is an important step for us and, much like our ongoing relationship with Matthew Andrews and Hawksmoor Search in the United Kingdom, it allows us to serve our clients in a completely integrated fashion," said John N. Wallace, president and chief executive officer. "Our mutual clients will benefit from a seamless global team who have an identical focus on excellent client service and quality execution."

About Executive Search Group International
Founded in 1998 in Hong Kong and now with offices in New York and Dubai, Executive Search Group International (ESGI) is an international executive search firm engaged exclusively in retained business. Recognized as one of Asia's top specialist search firms by Asia Money, ESGI advises and assists an exclusive group of clients in conducting a select number of their senior level recruitment assignments in the region. For more information please visit www.esgintl.com

About Caldwell Partners
Caldwell Partners is one of North America's premier providers of executive search and has been for 40 years. As one of the region's most trusted advisors in executive search, the firm has a sterling reputation built on successful searches for boards, chief and senior executives, and selected functional experts. With offices and partners across North America, and a strategic presence in London, the firm takes pride in delivering an unmatched level of service and expertise to its clients.

Caldwell Partners' Common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CWL). Please visit our website at www.caldwellpartners.com for further information.

SOURCE The Caldwell Partners International Inc.