AESC Announces Data Protection Best Practices for Executive Search and Leadership Advisory

New best practices will guide AESC’s global membership of leading executive search and leadership advisory firms in data protection excellence

The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global professional association representing excellence in executive search and leadership advisory solutions, announced today new AESC Best Practices for Data Protection. Data privacy and security have long been a cornerstone of AESC’s Code of Professional Practice to which all AESC members commit.

With data privacy and cyber security growing concerns for clients, candidates, and executive search and leadership consulting firms, AESC’s best practices provide another level of security and help minimize risk. AESC Members are fully aware of their obligation to maintain the integrity of the sensitive data they receive or collect from both clients and executive candidates.

With EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming to enforcement on May 25, 2018, the AESC Best Practices for Data Protection are just one element of a series of initiatives by AESC intended to bring new levels of transparency and accountability regarding data protection among its global membership, not just those in the EU.

AESC President and CEO, Karen Greenbaum, commented: "AESC is dedicated to strengthening leadership worldwide. With this comes a deep commitment to data privacy and protection. In a profession built on trust and integrity, it is imperative that we treat the sensitive data of both clients and candidates with utmost respect and have best practice procedures and processes in place to secure it at all times. The new AESC Best Practices on Data Protection bring even more transparency to the rigorous practices we have embraced for many years."

In addition to AESC’s new Best Practices for Data Protection, which are exclusive to AESC member firms only, AESC has also been helping prepare its membership for GDPR compliance. Working with London-based legal firm White & Case, AESC has developed a range of compliance tools and resources representing the varying needs of its global membership of executive search and leadership advisory firms in their journey to GDPR compliance.

When it comes to executive search and leadership advisory services, the stakes are even higher now with GDPR. Trust is a cornerstone to a strong client-consultant relationship and AESC members are committed to confidentiality and data protection.  By virtue of selecting an AESC member, clients can be secure in their choice of consulting firm and can reap the benefits that only a trusted advisor can deliver.  

About the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants

Since 1959, AESC has set the quality standard for the executive search and leadership advisory profession. AESC Members, ranging in size from large global executive search and leadership advisory firms and networks to regional and boutique firms, represent 9,000+ trusted professionals in 70+ countries. AESC Members are recognized leaders of global executive search and leadership advisory solutions. They leverage their access and expertise to place, find and develop more than 80,000 executives each year in board of directors and C-level positions for the world’s leading organizations of all types and sizes. AESC raises the visibility of the profession and supports its members through quality standards and best practices; advocacy; insights and education. Learn more about us at www.aesc.org.