Higdon Partners LLC, a New York-based executive recruiting firm focused on the money management sector, has changed its name to HigdonBraddockMatthews LLC to reflect the expansion of the firm's leadership team, said Henry G. “Hank” Higdon, the firm's chairman and managing partner.
He said the new name recognizes the contributions to the business made by Derek R. Braddock, a New York-based managing partner who joined the firm in 2005 from Charles Schwab & Co., and William R. Matthews III, a managing partner who joined the firm in 2008 from Conley and Co. to head the Boston office opened that year.
With his 25th anniversary approaching in February 2011 — since hanging out his own shingle after a 15-year stint with Russell Reynolds Associates — Mr. Higdon said he has no plans to retire. Instead, he says he's focused on continuing the firm's expansion, amid a pickup in search activity following two years dominated by marketing, sales and client service assignments.
In April, the firm opened a Los Angeles office, with Andrew W. Knox joining as managing partner there. With more work coming in involving Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Mr. Higdon said a London office might make sense as well, although there are no plans to open one there at the moment.
For now, Mr. Higdon said his firm continues to work on a number of key assignments, including chief investment officer searches for Wilton, Conn.-based Commonfund and the New York-based Johnson Co. family office. Hedge fund clients now include Boston-based Convexity Capital Management and two Greenwich, Conn.-based firms: Strategic Value Partners LLC and Breeden Capital Management LLC. Likewise, the firm is conducting searches for Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a longtime client, Mr. Higdon said.
