New York, NY, March 10, 2026 — The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the firms that place and advise the world’s leaders, is pleased to welcome RSAcademics as a new Member. The firm’s acceptance follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure quality standards. Based in London, UK, RSAcademics is a global executive search and consultancy firm working exclusively with schools. For more than 20 years, the firm has combined its first-hand experience in schools with specialist expertise in strategy, research, marketing, and finance to support governors and leaders with their most important leadership decisions. RSAcademics employs dual services – leadership recruitment and consultancy and research – to ensure a lasting impact on schools and their communities. RSAcademics Chief Executive Officer Heather Styche-Patel said: “Joining AESC marks an important step in RSAcademics’ continued growth as an international executive search and leadership consultancy focused solely on schools. Our work sits at the intersection of leadership recruitment, research and strategic advisory, giving us a distinctive perspective on how leadership shapes organisational success over time. We are proud to meet AESC’s global standards and look forward to collaborating with fellow member firms as we continue supporting schools [...]

New Bespoke Training Helps Executive Search Firms Build Practical, Responsible AI Capability  New York, NY, February 23, 2026 - The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) is proud to announce AI Intensives with AESC | Epistemy, a personalized, hands-on professional development experience designed to help executive search firms unlock transformative AI capability without compromising quality, confidentiality, or the refined approach that differentiates top firms.  AI has the potential to reshape every stage of the executive search lifecycle, from research and candidate development to client communication and project execution. The AESC | Epistemy AI Intensives support firms in adopting AI wisely, responsibly, and effectively through a bespoke training program tailored to each team’s goals, needs, and workflows. Participants gain practical tools, guided experience, and AESC-aligned safeguards so AI strengthens performance rather than introducing risk.  Through the program, teams will learn how to:  Prioritize high-impact AI use cases across the executive search lifecycle, focusing on where AI delivers the strongest strategic value  Strengthen efficiency with prompting and templates to increase speed, accuracy, and consistency while maintaining confidentiality and quality  Integrate ethics, governance, and risk controls including privacy protection, bias mitigation, and accuracy checks to ensure responsible adoption  Apply role-specific action [...]

New York, NY, February 19, 2026 — The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global association representing the firms that place and advise the world’s leaders, is pleased to welcome Ratliff & Company (Ratliff) as a new member. The firm’s acceptance follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure quality standards. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Ratliff is a talent management consultancy focused on "elevating people, teams, and organizations through life’s professional journey." The firm's multi-specialty executive search practice works in nearly every functional area using a proprietary Cultural Alignment Model that assesses motivational, organizational, and cultural fit. In addition, Ratliff provides career transition consulting and leadership development support including coaching, group and team leadership experiences, and organizational effectiveness engagements. Ratliff Chief Executive Officer Mike Milby said: "As the largest, full-service talent management consultancy in the Midwest, we are honored to be a member of AESC. Our goal is to consistently produce exceptional outcomes while offering a 'white glove' experience to every client and AESC helps us achieve that objective." About AESC AESC Member firms place and advise the world’s board directors and C-suite leaders. Founded in 1959, AESC represents the global gold standard in executive search and leadership [...]