China clients now mainstay of global headhunters

Globally expanding, talent-hunting Chinese companies across industries are causing big changes in the composition of clients of major headhunters.

For instance, till five years back, more than 90 percent of Korn Ferry's clients were not Chinese companies. Today, more than 50 percent of its corporate customers are Chinese, including State-owned enterprises, that are expanding globally through overseas offices, subsidiaries, projects, mergers and acquisitions.

Huang Jigong, partner-in-charge of Heidrick & Struggles China, a US-based headhunter from the top five, said Chinese companies now form the majority of the firm's clients.